Over the weekend, 16 groups that certified from the Electrek System Solar Grand Prix (FSGP) departed from the Journey Science Middle in Nashville, TN, for an epic 8-day 1,550+ mile trek to Casper, WY, utilizing nothing however power from the solar.
Now, the photo voltaic automobiles have accomplished the primary stage of the cross-country Electrek American Photo voltaic Problem (ASC). Listed below are the outcomes and how one can observe the crew’s areas in actual time!
What’s the American Photo voltaic Problem?
In case you missed it, the ASC is a biennial colligate competitors by which groups from colleges all over the world design, construct, and drive solar-powered automobiles throughout the USA. Groups competing within the 2024 occasion, title sponsored by Electrek, will journey by a number of completely different historic trails and websites, huge cities, and throughout the plains, ending on the Nationwide Historic Trails Interpretive Middle in Casper, Wyoming.
The ASC and the FSGP are very related relating to scoring. Each are primarily mileage-based competitions. Single-occupant automobiles (SOVs) will compete for essentially the most miles pushed. On the identical time, Multi-Occupant Autos (MOVs) are scored utilizing a hefty formulation that features person-miles pushed, their practicality rating, the quantity of grid charging used, and whether or not they keep the 35mph goal common velocity.
Just like the FSGP, the American Photo voltaic Problem is open to the general public. At every of the ten stops alongside the route, photo voltaic automobiles will probably be held for at the least 45 minutes earlier than being launched to proceed on the drive or full non-compulsory loops for further miles. This enables spectators to view the progressive photo voltaic automobiles up shut, meet the groups, and study in regards to the unbelievable engineering behind these automobiles.
Stay tracker
As of writing, the photo voltaic automobiles have simply kicked off Stage 2, leaving Edwardsville, IL, and are en path to the Missouri state capitol, Jefferson Metropolis. Whereas one of the best time to see the automobiles is throughout checkpoints and stops, the official ASC web site offers not solely estimated instances when automobiles will move by cities in every state but additionally a dwell tracker!
Stage 1 outcomes
Listed below are the outcomes from Stage 1 of the Electrek American Photo voltaic Problem! At this stage, the photo voltaic automobiles drove from Nashville, TN, to Edwardsville, IL, with a checkpoint cease in Paducah, KY. The next graphic particulars every crew’s miles pushed on the route and non-compulsory loops.
Congrats to the Prisum Photo voltaic Automobile from Iowa State and the College of Michigan Photo voltaic Automobile Staff for taking first of their lessons!
Stage 1 Single-Occupant Class Rating:
| Staff | Miles pushed | Penalties | Avg. velocity (mph) |
| 1. Michigan | 506.2 miles | 7 | 33.07 mph |
| 2. ETS | 481 miles | 3 | 30.37 mph |
| 3. Illinois | 420.6 miles | 5 | 26.48 mph |
| 4. Purdue | 374.8 miles | 2 | 21.61 mph |
| 5. Illinois State | 370.8 miles | 6 | 24.22 mph |
| 6. Florida | 370.8 miles | 6 | 22.7 mph |
| 7. Texas A&M | 199.9 miles | 6 | 12.78 mph |
Stage 1 Multi-Occupant Class Rating:
| Staff | Miles pushed | Rank rating | Penalties | Avg. velocity (mph) |
| Iowa State | 356.8 miles | 101.35 | 0 | 32.87 mph |
| Poly Montreal | 375.8 miles | 86.46 | 1 | 32.64 mph |
| App State | 376.8 miles | 69.58 | 20 | 32.4 mph |
| MIT | 325.8 | 0.05 | 51 | 24.76 mph |
Notice: MOV class rank doesn’t issue within the quantity of grid charging used or practicality scores. The ultimate rating on the finish of the competitors will embody these two values.
Some photographs from the competitors to date. You’ll find tons extra on Flickr.
Featured photographs through ASC/Electrek/Cora Kennedy
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