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Friday, July 5, 2013

SINAG: the first Philippine solar-powered car

The SINAG solar-powered car
A solar car is a vehicle which runs on solar energy converted into electricity by photovoltaic (PV) cells. While solar cars are not currently a practical form of transportation they are raced in competitions such as the World Solar Challenge. These meets promote the development of alternative energy technology such as solar cells. Currently, the Philippines has three solar-powered race cars. The first is the SINAG, based in De La Salle University in the Philippines, (Filipino for "sunray") and became the first entry of the Philippines to the World Solar Challenge. The solar car was inaugurated last January 27, 2007 at NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Design

SINAG's top and side views
The SINAG solar car was designed and constructed by a dedicated group of faculty and students from the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Electronics and Communications Engineering Department of De La Salle University-Manila, with the help and partnership of Ford Group Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, Motolite, Shell, Sunpower, Philippine Airlines and Ventus. The solar panels used by the SINAG solar–powered car was manufactured by Sun Power. The body of the car was made of carbon fiber as well as Nomex, or aramid fiber, so as to keep the vehicle light. It is painted with the Philippine colors. The SINAG’s official weight is 295 kilograms.

The World Solar Challenge 2007

The World Solar Challenge is a biennial solar-powered car race which covers 3,021 km (1,877 mi) through the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide. The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools. The race has a 20-year history spanning nine races, with the inaugural event taking place in 1987.

In 2007, SINAG became the first Philippine entry in the history of the World Solar Challenge. In the event, the Philippine team finished 12th place from 40 participants. The team finished the 3,021-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide at 4 p.m. on Oct. 27 (Australian time).

The 3,000km route of World Solar Challenge
SINAG performed exceptionally well from the beginning of the race in Darwin on Sunday, October 21. Needing only minor adjustments to its brake system, SINAG quickly zoomed to 11th place. The team maintained this position and made excellent time, passing the halfway mark at Alice Springs on Wednesday, October 24, and breaching the 2,000 km mark at Cadney Homestead the following day, October 25. Netherlands's Nuon Solar Team, with their car called Nuna4 won the overall championship finishing the race on Oct. 25. According to Rene Fernandez, SINAG Team Leader, SINAG weathered the course far beyond any of our expectations.

 A Philippine pride

Homegrown Filipino talent is behind every aspect of the SINAG solar car, from its sleek monocoque shell to its dynamically adaptive electrical system. Even the car's unique back-contact monocrystalline solar cells, which are among th most efficient commercial solar cells in the world, are proudly Philippine-made in Laguna. Together with other ingenious Filipino inventions and innovtions, SINAG is a symbol of national pride and a solid proof of Filipinos' capability to stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world in developing solar power as a viable and sustainable source of energy.

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