Panasonic World Solar Challenge heats up for 20th anniversary

It has been 20 years since a fleet of vehicles, powered only by the sun's rays, first crossed the imposing Australian outback, in a 3000 km challenge.

In October 2007, the biennial Panasonic World Solar Challenge (PWSC) is back and celebrating its 20th anniversary with another journey straight down Australia's desert belly, on the remote Stuart Highway, from 21-28 October.

This international event will be showcasing the latest in clean, green automotive technology and transport possibilities for the future.

The PWSC is a friendly competition of solar vehicles crossing the Australian continent from Darwin to Adelaide, powered by nothing but the sun. Teams come from around the globe — having researched, designed and built vehicles capable of completing the 3000 km trek from Darwin in the Northern Territory, to Adelaide in South Australia.

This year has seen the event attract record entries, with several first-time countries represented including India, the Philippines and Wales.

The event consists of 61 teams from 20 countries. The event has three different classes, with two classes for solar cars (the Challenge Class and Adventure Class) and another for vehicles demonstrating fuel-efficient technologies (the Greenfleet Technology Class). There are 42 solar cars and 19 vehicles in the Greenfleet Technology Class.

Danish-born adventurer Hans Tholstrup initiated the World Solar Challenge after he drove a homebuilt solar car called the Quiet Achiever across Australia, from west to east, in 20 days in 1982.

In 1987, the event was inaugurated, showcasing the development of automotive technology and promoting alternatives to conventional automobiles. The first Challenge saw 23 cars from seven countries compete, with General Motors' Sunraycer winning the race in 44 hours, with an average speed of 67 km/h.

There are only three main restrictions to the Challenge — these relate to vehicle dimensions, daily travelling times (8 am - 5 pm) and that vehicle propulsion may be derived only from direct global solar radiation.

The event will again use a route map system online at www.wsc.org.au that will show the locations of teams as they make the 3000 km trek.