Sun Favor was a solar car, powered by the energy of the sun's rays. It used advanced technology such as monolithic silicon solar cells and a primary battery employing silver oxide zinc technology. It achieved second place in the FIA Electro-Solar Cup in Suzuka 1992, received the "Most Outstanding" Award at the Asahi Solar Car Rally in Kobe 1992, and it came in twelve place at the 1993 World Solar Challenge (WSC) in which it traversed the Australia continent from north to south.
Specifications
- Overall length / width: 5,960/2,000mm
- Wheelbase: 1,050mm
- Tread (front): 1,434mm
- Curb weight: 150kg
- Turning radius: 6.0m (nose)
- Solar cells (type): Monolithic silicon
- Generating capacity: Over 1kW
- Primary batteries: Silver oxide zinc
- Coefficient of drag (Cd): 0.11
- Seating capacity: 1
- Top speed: 120km/h
Note: 1993 World Solar Challenge entry
Solar Car Race
Solar cars are the ultimate in "clean cars" since they emit no exhaust gases. Companies, universities and research institutes from countries around the world are now working on solar car R& D.
In support of such projects, timed races are held in order to provide opportunities for testing the solar cars currently under development. Notable among these races are Australia's World Solar Challenge (WSC), Switzerland's Tour de Sol, the U.S.'s American Solar Challenge, and Japan's Solar Car Race Suzuka. But most famous is the WSC held once every three years in Australia; it is a grueling race that runs 3,000 kilometers from Darwin to Adelaide. The delicate test vehicles must share the Stuart Highway, which cuts across the country from north to south, with giant transcontinental trucks. Typically fewer than half the entrants make it to the goal. However, top teams are able to complete it in four to five days. The Aurora 101 won the event in 1999 with an average speed of 72.96km/h.
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