The sun as fuel

Despite the 149.6 million kilometers that separate us, the Sun is the closest star to the Earth, the main transmitter of energy on the planet and the source that uses solar cars as fuel.

The type of vehicle featured in the fifth version of the Atacama Solar Race began Saturday and will continue until Sunday, Oct. 28, a pioneering competition in Latin America (the first edition was held in 2011.).

The current version The total distance traveled between Santiago and Arica is estimated at 2,600 km, making it the second longest competition of its kind, just behind the Australian version, which reaches 3,000 km.

Eleven teams participate in the competition, including three foreigners. : the Belgians of Punch 2, one of the favorites (see infographic), the Bolivian Inti III and the Colombian squadron SENA.

The race contemplates the Solar categories, which includes the subcategories Cruiser (for two pantes) and CGE Challenger (single seat) and the Hybrid category, which is divided into SQM Monoplaza (for an occupant) and Biplaza (for 2 people). ).

The contest is part of the NGO Ruta Solar. Mauricio Zanotti, director and founder of this badociation, said the race is held every two years and wants to invite university students and professionals to develop solar cars, whose cost can exceed $ 100 million.

The journey began Saturday in Santiago, Parque Araucano, and yesterday again in La Serena and Copiapó. Today, it continues in Diego de Almagro from 10 to 15 hours and tomorrow in Antofagasta and San Pedro de Atacama. Wednesday, an arrest is scheduled in Sierra Gorda, Thursday in Iquique and the last day, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (26, 27 and 28) in Arica, from 9 am to 19 pm

exceeds 140 km /

The Solar clbad cars have a range of over 300 km, but if there is sunshine, they can walk indefinitely. "They can reach 120 km / h, they could even exceed 140 km / h, but they can not overcome the speed along the way," says Zanotti. He adds that hybrid vehicles, although they have several characteristics in common with the sun, are differentiated by the fact that they have pedals. "They work with human traction, you can combine pedaling with an engine, not to spend the whole battery.These are kind of solar tricycles running on electricity and solar panels.They do not exceed 50 km / h, "he adds.

Over the seven years of existence of the Atacama Solar Race, 61 new vehicles, solar and hybrid, have been developed and more than 1,000 students Latin American universities and the world.From its first edition in 2011, the course has increased by 1,540 km.

Leandro Valencia, general manager of the Solar Road, stresses that the goal of this The contest is to turn Chile into the sun's capital for people to be part of an activity like this, revealing how effective these vehicles are when they travel half the country. "

Race Format indicates that the winner is defined as the number of kilometers traveled. "The one who travels more, without fail, without breaking down, without having to tow, is the one who wins.If two cars reach the finish line, the one that has arrived with fewer setbacks triumphs. as a second criterion, "explains Zanotti.

Valencia adds that the idea is to raise public awareness that state-of-the-art technology can be created and that it directs the technological development using natural resources and solar energy.

Adrian Baiets, captain of the Team Punch 2, points out that it's a more difficult race than the one they're used to. "Here, there are many mountains , the risk of earthquake, the sun, the wind and the sand of the desert, among others. All these aspects are like an extra dimension in the race. "

This car is made of modern lightweight materials and weighs only 135kg." We also use solar cells for satellites, with a 34% efficiency. This makes our car more aerodynamic. "

Zanotti says that this type of vehicle is likely to reach the city." We hope that the hybrid category will mature, that it will become a small prototype of the city and that the solar race will serve as a laboratory. The costs are low, a vehicle does not exceed $ 3.5 million. It is not tomorrow, solar energy is today. In addition, they are zero emissions, they do not pollute the environment. This year's race, for the first time, will be carbon neutral. "