An epic solar car race has begun in Australia, with vehicles crossing the country's tropical north to its southern shores. The World Solar Challenge aims to showcase technology that could be used for commercial purposes.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Wijngaert
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Solar cars race towards the future in Australia
An epic 3,000 km solar car race kicked off on Sunday in Australia. As one of the world's foremost innovation challenges, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge demonstrates technology that could one power commercial cars.
Image: Getty Images/SATC/S. Barbour
Dutch pride in the Australian Outback
Nuon Solar Team vehicle "Nuna9" from the Netherlands leaves the start line as the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge begins on October 8. Teams from across the globe are competing in the 3,000 kilometer race through the Australian Outback between Darwin and Adelaide. The Dutch are the reigning champions.
Image: Getty Images/SATC/S. Barbour
Watch out for the Japanese
Japanese Kogakuin University's solar vehicle "Wing" speeds down the road in Katherine on the first day of the race. The race is expected to take about a week for most cars. The vehicles are powered solely by the sun and travel at a speed of 90 to 100 km per hour. Japan's Tokai University achieved the fastest time in 2009, completing the transcontinental race in only 29 hours and 49 minutes.
Image: Getty Images/SATC/M. Kolbe
All want a piece of the future
South Africa is being represented by a solar car named SAV. Here, it can be seen dashing from the starting line in Darwin. Teams from the United States, Japan, Germany, Chile, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Belgium, Sweden, Iran, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, Canada, Taiwan and Australia are participating in the event, among others.
Image: picture-alliance/Zumapress/Xu Haijing
Brussels on the brink
The Punch Powertrain Solar Team car from Belgium moved into first place on Sunday after hitting an average speed of 83.4 km per hour over a distance of 2.97 km. This year's biennial event has attracted one of the best fields ever, with teams from more than 20 countries.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Wijngaert
21 countries represented
The Mississippi Choctaw High School of the US is competing with this vehicle. Here, it can be seen speeding the track on the opening day of the 2017 World Solar Challenge. A total of 42 solar cars from 21 different countries started the race from Darwin to Adelaide.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Wijngaert
Continuing solar innovation
Taiwan's National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences and St. John's University's solar car "Apollo VIII" leaves the start line. The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations; although some are fielded by high schools. The World Solar Challenge started in 1987, and the last race was held in 2015.
Image: Getty Images/SATC/S. Barbour
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The 2017 World Solar Challenge, which started up in 1987, began Sunday from the northern Australian city of Darwin. The 42 solar cars participating in the race will take up to a week to reach the southern city of Adelaide, 3,000 kilometers (1864 miles) away, with an average speed of 90-100 kilometers per hour (55-62 mph).
The route will take the cars through some of the driest regions on earth.
Dutch team Nuon is aiming to defend its 2015 title, but Belgium's Punch Powertrain surprisingly won Saturday's time trial.
"We knew our car was good, but we never expected pole because there are a lot of competitors over here, a lot of very fast-looking cars," team manager Joachin Verheyen told reporters.
In 2009, Japan's Tokai University's solar car recorded the fastest time by completing the race in only 29 hours and 49 minutes.
The Nuon team believes it can retain the title.
"All the cars look completely different [this year], and all we know is we've got a good car, we've got it running perfectly the last couple of days and we are confident we're going to do everything to win," tour manager Sarah Benninkbolt told media on Sunday.
Teams from more than 40 countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, Chile, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Belgium, Sweden, Iran, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, South Africa, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, Canada, Taiwan and Australia, are participating in the race.
Dutch team Nuon is aiming to defend the titleImage: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Mariuz
Making renewable energy a reality
"This is the 30th anniversary of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and competitors want to be part of that. They have been drawn to the challenge of new regulations which reduced the solar array size without limiting the size of the solar car," race director Chris Selwood said.
"Of course, the point of this challenge is not just to go fast, or to develop technology that will never reach the mainstream. Our founder, Hand Tholstrup, and competitors past and present, are all determined to make sustainable, energy-positive, solar electric cars and renewable energy a reality," Selwood added.
On Sunday, 42 Solar cars from 21 different countries will start a 3,000 kilometer (1864 miles) race from Darwin to AdelaideImage: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Wijngaert
Google co-founder Larry Page and Tesla co-founder JB Straubel are past competitors who acknowledge that the event has influenced their careers.
