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Solar Record Shattered - Solar Car - Cool Photos
greenmuze ^

Posted on 11/05/2008 9:03:53 AM PST by JoeProBono

A Canadian man set a world distance record in his solar car this week. Marcelo da Luz and his Xof1 (Power Of One) Solar Car arrived in Victoria, British Columbia on Thursday (October 30, 2008) after having driven more than 15,150-kilometre in his hand-made solar car. He beat the previous record of the distance covered by a solar car by a mere 30kms. Luz spent more than half a million dollars of his own money and more than 9 years building his Xof1 and organizing his cross-country journey.


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: canada; energy; solar; solarcar; solarpower; worldrecord; xof1
"The solar trip started in Toronto, Ontario and da Luz spent more than 140 days traveling across Canada. His route was through Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and into British Columbia before heading north into the Yukon Territory. The Xof1 then traveled into Inuvik, Northern Territories, Alaska and into the Arctic Circle. He looped back through the Yukon Territory and into British Columbia where Luz completed the final leg of his record setting solar car tour. It has been reported in the Canadian media, that Luz intends to keep driving with his Xof1 solar car into California and further extend his record lead."


1 posted on 11/05/2008 9:03:56 AM PST by JoeProBono
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To: JoeProBono

“The Xof1 uses 7.144m2 15% efficient photovoltaic cells (Shell type 893) to convert sunlight into electricity, storing the electricity in 96V 4Kwh battery module that power an electric motor that actually propels the car. A series of electric and electronic components control the whole process. The solar arrays output 900 watts. It uses regenerative braking and high-tech, low friction tires and has an extremely small frontal cross-section, all designed to reduce the power needed to accelerate and maintain a cruising speed.”


2 posted on 11/05/2008 9:09:27 AM PST by JoeProBono (When youÂ’re swimming in the creek, and an eel bites your cheek, thatÂ’s a moray!)
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To: JoeProBono

“The car, looking similar to a small UFO, weighs 300kg (with driver), is 5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide, with a ground clearance of 0.4 meters. The car chassis is made from polyurethane foam covered in fiberglass and reinforced with carbon fiber, the body construction (upper shell) is made from light foam covered in fiberglass. The car’s maximum speed is 120 km/hr.”


3 posted on 11/05/2008 9:10:39 AM PST by JoeProBono (When youÂ’re swimming in the creek, and an eel bites your cheek, thatÂ’s a moray!)
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To: JoeProBono

Looks like a palmetto bug. He’s lucky someone didn’t swat it with a shoe.


4 posted on 11/05/2008 9:22:04 AM PST by tbpiper
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To: tbpiper

I was just wondering what that would look like sticking out of the grill of a truck.


5 posted on 11/05/2008 9:25:52 AM PST by DannyTN
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To: tbpiper

6 posted on 11/05/2008 9:28:04 AM PST by JoeProBono (The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes)
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To: JoeProBono
Marvelous achievement! The video on the homepage of the main car site: http://www.xof1.com/ is a freakin' riot. The solar car is parked alongside a highway (waiting for the chase car to catch up), and a couple in another car stop to see what the "UFO" is, take some pics with a cellphone camera, and then the guy driving the solar car moves it forward a few feet -- and the couple freak out and go running back to their car and take off! Funny as hell.
7 posted on 11/05/2008 9:40:48 AM PST by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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To: dayglored
"the guy driving the solar car moves it forward a few feet -- and the couple freak out"


8 posted on 11/05/2008 9:45:08 AM PST by JoeProBono (The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes)
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To: JoeProBono

Brings new meaning to the term “sunroof”.


9 posted on 11/05/2008 9:49:05 AM PST by CrazyIvan (If you read only one book this year, read "Stolen Valor".)
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To: CrazyIvan
"Brings new meaning to the term “sunroof”."

Yup. The interior's not too shabby either


10 posted on 11/05/2008 10:28:52 AM PST by JoeProBono (The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes)
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To: All

11 posted on 11/05/2008 1:03:00 PM PST by JoeProBono (The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes)
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To: Quix; ShadowAce

http://www.greenmuze.com/images/stories/photos/news/nov08/xof1moon.jpg


12 posted on 11/05/2008 3:40:10 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______Profile finally updated Saturday, October 11, 2008 !!!)
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