Huge because of this yr’s occasion sponsors: Velotric, NIU, MathWorks, Generac, IOSi, SunCat Photo voltaic, and Tesla
It’s been one other extraordinarily profitable yr for the Electrek American Photo voltaic Problem (ASC) and the Electrek Components Solar Grand Prix (FSGP) pre-qualifier occasion! Now that racing has concluded and we’ve had time to decompress from all of the photo voltaic pleasure, right here’s a fast recap and a few highlights from the 2024 season.
Components Solar Grand Prix (pre-qualifier)
FSGP noticed record-breaking attendance with over 88 groups (710 workforce members) from universities throughout the US and Canada arriving final month at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky, to race in opposition to one another in a fierce on-track occasion. The target was easy: compete to finish as many laps as potential utilizing nothing however photo voltaic vitality.
To qualify for the American Photo voltaic Problem cross-country occasion, groups had been required to realize a selected mileage through the FSGP:
- 205 miles (66 laps) in someday on the observe
- Or 308 miles (98 laps) in two consecutive days
Nevertheless, attributable to spotty climate, an unfamiliar observe, and, for some groups, crucial mechanical points, this was no straightforward trek.
One of many extra dramatic moments occurred when a miscommunication occurred with Stanford College’s workforce about whether or not or not mountain bike brakes can be an accepted braking system per FSGP pointers. Sadly, by the point they had been informed the brakes had been allowed, the workforce already lower the previous brake strains out.
In a mad sprint to native {hardware} shops round Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky, Stanford’s workforce was capable of put collectively and set up new brake strains, however not earlier than the morning of day three (the ultimate day of racing). After being plagued with a number of different minor points the identical day, members of App State came to visit to assist, they usually had been capable of put in 10 laps (31.5 miles).
The camaraderie amongst groups is among the issues that makes FSGP so particular.
Congratulations to École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS) and Polytechnique Montreal for taking first place within the Single-Occupant Car (SOV) and Multi-Occupant Car (MOV) courses, respectively. All groups did improbable work!
American Photo voltaic Problem (essential occasion)
From the FSGP pre-qualifier occasion, 14 groups certified to start out within the Electrek American Photo voltaic Problem (ASC) 2024 cross-country street occasion. This was an 8-day competitors the place the photo voltaic vehicles left from Nashville, TN, and traveled alongside seven Nationwide Historic Trails in partnership with the Nationwide Parks Service, finally crossing the end line 1,550+ miles away in Casper, Wyoming.
Groups rigorously calculate climate and terrain beforehand. Nevertheless, a tough mixture of cloudy circumstances and hilly roads made the beginning of the yr’s ASC competitors one of the vital difficult but. In case you’re from the northern Tennessee/southern Kentucky area, you’ll perceive this higher than anybody. As soon as getting into the mid-west area by St. Luois, circumstances started to favor the photo voltaic autos.
Just like the FSGP, the American Photo voltaic Problem isn’t essentially time-based.
Single-Occupant Autos (SOVs) compete to finish probably the most miles by driving optionally available loops on the checkpoint and stage stops. In the meantime, Multi-Occupant Autos (MOVs) compete to maximise a rating, calculated by a hefty system that features individual miles traveled, the quantity of grid charging wanted (if any), common velocity, and extra.
The College of Michigan photo voltaic automobile workforce got here in first within the SOV class with a whopping 2,095.5 miles. For the MOV class, Polytechnique Montréal was capable of declare one other victory with a sweeping rating of 73.86, adopted by Appalachian State with 25.21. Congratulations to all groups!
Occasion recap movies and images
Beneath are the complete recap movies from the Components Solar Grand Prix/American Photo voltaic Problem. The occasion’s official Flickr web page has additionally amassed greater than 1,500 images. Examine them out—they’re tremendous cool!
Extra particulars and full outcomes on this yr’s Electrek American Photo voltaic Problem and Components Solar Grand Prix will be discovered on the occasion’s web site.
The ASC and FSGP are organized by the Innovators Instructional Basis (IEF), a 501c3 non-profit offering hands-on, multidisciplinary studying alternatives for faculty college students. Final yr, Electrek introduced the signing of a five-year title sponsorship settlement with the IEF, which can assure funds to host the yearly races by 2028.
Sponsor the occasions! Planning for the Electrek Components Grand Prix 2025 is already underway. In case you’re as obsessed with the way forward for sustainable transport and consider your organization would additionally wish to sponsor these unbelievable occasions, electronic mail [email protected] for info.
It was a pleasure getting to satisfy all of the groups. I can’t wait to see what everybody has in retailer for subsequent yr!
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