Sunswift Racing is the solar car racing team of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. The team currently holds a number of world records and is best known for its participation in the World Solar Challenge (WSC). Since its founding in 1996 by Byron Kennedy, the Sunswift team has built a total of 7 cars, the most recent of which is Sunswift 7.
The team primarily consists of undergraduate students from various disciplines including business, engineering and industrial design. Despite its team members being largely engaged in full-time study, Sunswift has remained competitive in all participated solar car challenges, earning prestige and recognition on the world stage as well as training young engineers to be on the cutting edge of their profession. A number of former Sunswift team members have moved on to establishing their own companies and others have attained highly sought-after positions in the workforce; for example, working as part of well-established racing teams such as those in Formula 1. Some of these team members remain in contact with Sunswift even after graduation, and act as mentors or advisors to the newer recruits, thus helping to continue the standard of excellence that has been embodied in the team since its founding in 1996.
Outreach program
The Sunswift team also plays an active role in the local community by educating the general public about the advantages of solar versus conventionally powered vehicles. To this end, they regularly showcase the series of Sunswift cars at exhibitions and hold information days open to the public. In addition, Sunswift also visits schools in order to teach and inspire young children about implementing solar power technology whilst demonstrating how it can be a fun and effective method of powering a car.
How it works
All solar cars have at least five main parts to their power system: the solar array, maximum power point tracker (MPPT), battery, motor controller and electric motor. These cars rely on converting the electromagnetic energy of the sun into electrical energy, through the use of photovoltaic cells, and then converting that electrical energy into mechanical energy to drive the car, through the use of some form of electric motor. Maximum power point trackers act as an interface between the solar array and the battery, while motor controllers act as an interface between the battery and the electric motors
As sunlight shines on the solar array, it transfers energy to the electrons within the photovoltaic cells, thus allowing them to conduct electricity and causing a current to flow. This current then travels to the MPPTs which alter the load across the solar array in order to ensure that it is generating electricity as efficiently as possible. The MPPTs have to constantly monitor the output of the photovoltaic cells because that output depends on the light intensity which can change rapidly if some cells become shaded. The electricity then flows into the battery where it can be stored for later use such as to drive the car while there is no sunlight. Although the battery is primarily charged by the solar panels, it can also be externally charged by the conventionally generated electricity at your home or workplace. The battery then discharges the current into the motor controllers which converts it into a form that can be used to power the electric motor. Motor controllers are also used to manage things like speed regulation, cruise control and regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is using the existing motors as generators by converting the rotational energy of the wheels back into electrical energy, slowing the car down and recharging the battery at the same time, instead of just using conventional mechanical brakes. Lastly, the energy that was once in the sunlight shining on the car, reaches the electric motors which operate on the principles of electromagnetism to turn that electrical energy into rotational energy that spins the wheels and drives the car forward.
Sunswift 7 (2020–present)
Sunswift 7 (SR7) is the third vehicle manufactured by Sunswift designed to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Cruiser Class. The design began in 2020, with intentions of running in the cancelled 2021 World Solar Challenge.
In December 2022, Sunswift achieved a Guinness World Record for the Fastest EV over 1,000km (621mi) on a single charge.[1] It achieved this in 11 hours and 52.08 minutes, at an average speed of almost 85km/h (53mph).
In October 2023, Sunswift won the 2023 World Solar Challenge, Cruiser Class.[2] An on-road score of 109.4, practicality score of 83.3%, and a final score of 91.1 was achieved.[3] They placed first for both the on-road score and practicality score.
Technical Specifications for Sunswift 7
Dimensions
Length: 4,990mm (196.5in)
Width: 2,050mm (80.7in)
Height: 1,200mm (47.2in)
Wheel Base: 3,120mm (122.8in)
Weight
680kg (1,500lb)
Aerodynamics
Cd: 0.095
Frontal Area: 1.86m2 (20.0sqft)
CdA: 0.177
Chassis
Carbon fibre monocoque with foam and aramid honeycomb core
Bodywork
Custom Dihedral Synchro Helix Doors. Audi A7 Headlights
Suspension
Generatively designed, SLM 3D-printed uprights with carbon fibre wishbones and pushrods
Front: Double wishbone with pushrod activated shock
Rear: Multi link
Battery
38kWh, 151.2V
Solar Array
4.4m2 (47sqft)
Seats
4
Motors
Twin, rear wheel, in hub, synchronous DC motors, both of which are brushless and have permanent magnets
Top Speed
130km/h (81mph)
Range
1,500km (930mi)
Sunswift 7 in its BWSC Race Livery
Sunswift VI (VIolet) (2017–2019)
VIolet is the sixth vehicle designed and manufactured by Sunswift. It was the second vehicle manufactured by Sunswift that is built to compete in the Cruiser Class. Design of VIolet began in 2016 and manufacture was completed in late 2017. In comparison to previous generations of Sunswift vehicles, VIolet is Sunswift's first four-seat, four-door vehicle with a 5-square-metre solar array consisting of 318 monocrystalline silicon cells with an approximate efficiency of 22%. VIolet was designed with a greater focus on practicality, with the aim of resembling a more comfortable family vehicle in comparison to previous generations of Sunswift vehicles. New features have been implemented in VIolet such as live monitoring and fault detection, entertainment systems, air conditioning, navigation, wifi, reverse camera, adjustable seating, parking sensors, front and back boot-space, and ergonomic dashboard. As a result of this, the vehicle competed in the 2017 World Solar Challenge and placed third in practicality.
In December 2018, the team had driven from Perth to set a Guinness World Record for the lowest energy consumption while driving across Australia in an electric car. VIolet was then further tested and refined for reliability and efficiency, leading to an all-time highest Sunswift ranking of 2nd Place Overall in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and finishing first across the line in Adelaide.
Appearance of the Violet
Technical specifications for VIolet
Dimensions
Length: 5.0 metres (16ft 5 in)
Width: 2.2 metres (7ft 2 in)
Height: 1.2 metres (3ft 11 in)
Weight
700 kilograms (no driver)
Solar Cells/Array
5.00-square-metre (53.7 sq ft) array consisting of 318 monocrystalline silicon cells with an approximate efficiency of 22%
Seats
4
Chassis
Carbon fibre monocoque with foam and an aramid honeycomb core
Motors
Twin, rear wheel, in hub, synchronous DC motors, both of which are brushless and have permanent magnets
Maximum speed
140 kilometres/h (87mph)
Maximum speed solely on solar power
60 kilometres/h
Maximum range
1000km at a speed of 100 kilometres/h
Battery Power
Modular 10-20 kilowatt-hours (36-72 MJ) lithium ion at a nominal voltage between 90 and 153V
Telemetry
Custom Controlled Area Network (CAN) including GPS, barometric pressure, motor speeds, motor temperatures, tilt, and various voltages and currents
Sunswift V (eVe) (2012–2016)
The design and construction of eVe began in early 2012 and was completed within 18 months in time for the 2013 World Solar Challenge. The car cost approximately $500,000 and was built to compete in the new Cruiser Class in the WSC. This class focused on more practical solar cars with passenger seats, greater safety and more efficient batteries. To reflect its focus on practicality, the team also designed it to resemble a modern-day sports car, rather than the typical space aged style of most other solar vehicles. The car was the fastest vehicle in the Cruiser Class, achieving Line Honours and overall third place for the Cruiser class while also attaining the highest top speed of 128 kilometres per hour (80mph).
On a single charge of its batteries, eVe can travel up to 500 kilometres (310mi) or over 800 kilometres (500mi) if powered by its own solar cells. Once fully depleted, the batteries can be completely recharged in 10 hours using a standard household power socket or in under 7 hours using a commercial power socket. In terms of cost and efficiency, for every 100km the solar car would cost approximately $0.20 compared to the average $15 for conventional petrol powered cars.
In July 2014 The Sunswift team broke an FIA World Record which was overseen by the Confederation of Australian Motorsport, for the fastest electric vehicle capable of travelling 500 kilometres (310mi) on a single battery charge.[4] The team beat the previous record 73 kilometres per hour (45mph) – set in 1988 – with an average speed of 107 kilometres per hour (66mph) over the 500-kilometre (310mi) distance, which was done at the Australian Automotive Research Centre in Victoria. This record was not an exclusive Solar car record, but was open to any Electric vehicle weighing under 500 kilograms (1,100lb). Consequently, for this record the Solar cells were disconnected from the electrical systems, and the car was allowed to only run on its lithium-ion battery pack.
The team is currently progressing with eVe's road legality status and plans to officially register eVe as Australia's first road legal Solar car. This would make eVe one of the only road legal solar cars in the world and the first to adhere to the strict Australian Design Rules.
4-square-metre (43sqft) array. All cells are monocrystalline silicon with an approximate efficiency of >23%
Seats
2 made of carbon fibre, each with a 3-point safety harness
Chassis
Carbon fibre monocoque with foam and an aramid honeycomb core
Motors
Twin, rear wheel, in hub, synchronous DC motors, both of which are brushless and have permanent magnets
Maximum speed
Achieved: 132 kilometres per hour (82mph) Theoretical: 140 kilometres per hour (87mph)
Battery Power
16 kilowatt-hours (58MJ)
Telemetry
Custom Controlled Area Network (CAN) including GPS, barometric pressure, motor speeds, motor temperatures, tilt, and various voltages and currents
Sunswift IV (IVy) (2009–2011)
Sunswift IVy during the Guinness World Record speed attempt.Sunswift IV (IVy) during the 2009 Global Green Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide
As with eVe, IVy was built to compete in the World Solar Challenge, specifically for the 2009 race. However, unlike eVe, IVy raced as part of the Challenger Class and Challenger Class Silicon, ending up finishing 4th overall despite being the first silicon powered car across the line. Overall, the entire project took approximately 18 months and $250,000 to complete. On 7 January 2011, at the Royal Australian Navy airbase, HMASAlbatross, IVy broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest solar powered vehicle. Australian racing driver Barton Mawer brought IVy to a top speed of 88.5 kilometres per hour (55.0mph), beating the previous record of 22 years by over 10 kilometres per hour (6.2mph). The rules of the record required that IVy be powered solely by the sun and with the entire battery pack removed, the car weighed only 140 kilograms (310lb).[5]
5.99-square-metre (64.5sqft) permanent array consisting of 397 A300's at 22% efficiency and 56 UNSW TopCells at 16% efficiency
Seats
No conventional seat. The driver's compartment is part of the chassis
Chassis
Carbon fibre monocoque with pre-preg carbon fibre and a nomex honeycomb, as well as a fibreglass canopy
Motors
Single, rear wheel, brushless, synchronous DC motor with permanent magnets
Maximum speed
110km/h (88.7km/h on solar alone)
Battery Power
4.85 kilowatt-hours (17.5MJ) at a voltage between 89.1 and 138.6 V
Telemetry
Custom Controlled Area Network (CAN) including GPS, tyre pressure, motor speeds, motor temperatures, brake temperature, and various voltages and currents
Sunswift III (2005–2008)
Sunswift III
Sunswift III was designed for the 2005 WSC. Mechanical problems caused a crash before the race, and the car completed the course unofficially. In 2006, the mechanics were improved. In January 2007, Jaycar Sunswift III broke the world transcontinental record, completing the drive from Perth to Sydney in 5.5 days. In September, the team successfully completed the WSC in ninth place overall, and was also awarded the CSIRO technical innovation award, out of an initial field of 41 international entrants. The same year, the Sunswift team was awarded the 2007 Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence Award for Education and Training.
11.5-square-metre (124sqft) of 20% efficient solar cells Power output of 1.8 kilowatts (2.4hp)
Chassis
Carbon fibre monoconque
Battery
2.5 kilowatt-hours
Maximum Speed
120km/h
Weight
220 kilograms (490lb)
Sunswift II (1998–2005)
UNSW Sunswift II
Between 1997 and 2003, the team developed, refined and raced four versions of UNSW Sunswift II. In 2000-2001, the team embarked on the TopCell project to manufacture buried contact solar cells to construct a new solar array. This makes the UNSW SRT the first and only team to have made their own solar cells. Along the way, the team achieved a new world record efficiency for this type of solar cell. The remaining cells on UNSW Sunswift II are the world's highest efficiency "PERL" silicon solar cells, made at UNSW. The team also pioneered a cell encapsulation technique which allowed the moulding of solar panels to the curved shape of the car.
BP "Saturn" cells, laminated using epoxy resins and fibreglass Power output ~1 kilowatt (1.3hp)
Chassis
Chromoly space frame with structural carbon fibre seat
Motor
UNSW/CSIRO developed electric wheel motor Maximum output 3 kilowatts (4.0hp)
Suspension
Aluminium double wishbone front trailing arm and rear Ohlins Motorcycle shock absorbers
Battery
102 Sony Lithium Ion Batteries Total weight 30 kilograms (66lb)
Battery Power
3 kilowatt-hours (11MJ) at 20 V
Maximum Speed
120km/h
Telemetry
Fluke Hydra data logger/radio modem
Sunswift I (1996)
UNSW Sunswift I Solarcar with crew.
The original Sunswift vehicle was purchased from the Aurora Vehicle Association in 1996. The car, Aurora Q1, was significantly upgraded and improved by the UNSW SRT and renamed Sunswift, under team leader Byron Kennedy. A new motor and controller, roll cage, chassis and batteries were added. Sunswift I then went on to race in the 1996 World Solar Challenge. The car was still a competitive entry despite its age, placing 9th out of over 46 entries. The experience gained from racing Sunswift I inspired the development of Sunswift II starting in 1997.
Experimental: 63 kilometres per hour (39mph) Theoretical: 70 kilometres per hour (43mph)
Battery
58 Gates Cyclone-G12C Pb/acid cells in series
Battery Power
3 kilowatt-hours (11MJ) at 116 V
Achievements
Year
Record
1996
World Solar Challenge – Sunswift finished 9th out of 46 entries. This was the University's first entry in a solar car event amongst the prestigious and competitive entries from Honda Motors Corporation, the Swiss entry from Biel, and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.
1999
NRMA Transcontinental Record Attempt – with the car NRMA Sunswift II completed 4,012 kilometres (2,493mi) in ten days, despite five days of bad weather. Even though the record of 8½ days was not broken, the attempt was still regarded to be a success with $2.4 million worth of publicity generated.
1999
CitiPower SunRace – three days after completing the Perth-Sydney record attempt the team entered this event. NRMA Sunswift II obtained third place in a highly competitive field of five entries, proving the car's reliability and the team's dedication after five continuous weeks on the road.
1999
NRMA Sunswift II participated in a trade exhibition in Taipei, on request from the Federal Government.
1999
World Solar Challenge – NRMA Sunswift II finished a respectable 18th out of 48 international entries.
2001
World Solar Challenge – UNSW Sunswift II was the 11th car to cross the line.
2002
SunRace – 2nd Place
2003
SunRace – 2nd Place
2005
World Solar Challenge – UNSW Sunswift III was the 9th car (and the first with silicon solar cells) to cross the line, arriving in 5 days.
2007
Jaycar Sunswift III broke the world record for a solar car journey from Perth to Sydney. The team finished the journey in 5.5 days, breaking the previous record by 3 days.
2007
World Solar Challenge – Jaycar Sunswift III finished 4th in the Adventure class and 9th overall at 4:11pm on 26 October. The team was awarded with the prestigious Freescale Technical Innovation Award for the high efficiency of the vehicle.
2007
The UNSW Solar Racing Team was awarded the Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence Award, for education and training.
2009
Global Green Challenge (World Solar Evolution) – Sunswift IV finished 1st in the Silicon Challenge Class and 4th overall at 3:08pm on 29 October.
2011
Guinness World Record: Fastest Solar Powered Vehicle: 88.8 kilometres per hour (55.2mph)
2011
World Solar Challenge – Sunswift IVy finished 1st in the Production Challenge Class and 6th overall
2013
World Solar Challenge – Sunswift eVe Line Honours and 3rd overall in Cruiser Class, including a top speed of 128 kilometres per hour (80mph)
2014
FIA Land Speed Record – Sunswift eVe breaks the record for the fastest electric car over 500 kilometres (310mi), with an average speed of 107 kilometres per hour (66mph).[6] The previous record of 73 kilometres per hour (45mph) was set in 1988
2015
World Solar Challenge – Sunswift eVe finished 3rd across the line and 4th overall.
2018
Guinness World Record – Lowest Energy Consumption Driving Trans-Australia (Perth to Sydney) – Electric Car[7]
2023
World Solar Challenge - Sunswift 7 finished 1st in Cruiser Class[2]
The World Solar Challenge (WSC), since 2013 named Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, is an international event for solar powered cars driving 3000 kilometres through the Australian outback.
A solar vehicle or solar electric vehicle is an electric vehicle powered completely or significantly by direct solar energy. Usually, photovoltaic (PV) cells contained in solar panels convert the sun's energy directly into electric energy.
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The American Solar Challenge (ASC), previously known as the North American Solar Challenge and Sunrayce, is a solar car race across the United States. In the race, teams from colleges and universities throughout North America design, build, test, and race solar-powered vehicles in a long distance road rally-style event. ASC is a test of teamwork, engineering skill, and endurance that stretches across thousands of miles of public roads.
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A solar car is a solar vehicle for use on public roads or race tracks. Solar vehicles are electric vehicles that use self-contained solar cells to provide full or partial power to the vehicle via sunlight. Solar vehicles typically contain a rechargeable battery to help regulate and store the energy from the solar cells and from regenerative braking. Some solar cars can be plugged into external power sources to supplement the power of sunlight used to charge their battery.
Solar car racing refers to competitive races of electric vehicles which are powered by solar energy obtained from solar panels on the surface of the car. The first solar car race was the Tour de Sol in 1985 which led to several similar races in Europe, US and Australia. Such challenges are often entered by universities to develop their students' engineering and technological skills, but many business corporations have entered competitions in the past. A small number of high school teams participate in solar car races designed exclusively for high school students.
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The Aurora Vehicle Association is a group of volunteers who are dedicated to achieving and demonstrating extreme efficiency in transport. Aurora was started in 1980 by building high-fuel-efficiency petrol-powered vehicles. Between 1983 and 1985 Aurora held the world record for fuel economy at 1808 km per litre. In 1987, when Hans Tholstrup devised the first trans-Australian World Solar Challenge, Aurora turned to solar car development and has been a contestant in every World Solar Challenge and has achieved 1 win, 4 second places, 1 third place, 1 fifth place, 1 sixth place and 1 crash.
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