Borneo Solar Challenges

  https://youtu.be/dEnUZ0HWtSY

 The analysis refers to the latest World Solar Challenge 2023 regulations which is freely available. https://worldsolarchallenge.org/files/2268_2023_bwsc_regulations_release_version_2_published_24_02_2023_final.pdf Of special note is the requirement to travel 1,200 km without charging in a day. Solar energy can provide at most 200 km, which is still much higher than most production Electric Vehicles travelling at such a fast speed. Hyper milling, i.e. driving at low speed or driving behind large vehicles will allow increases in the range of the EV. It is not allowed in WSC because there are strict times at which vehicles must arrive at stop points. If too late, the competitor is disqualified. It is good from the point of the organiser. It reduces the cost and certainty of managing competitors. There are 11 stop points, for an average duration of driving of 300 km or 5 hours, assuming an average road speed of 60 km/h.

This blog will introduce and explain the rationale for proposing solar challenges in Borneo. They are unashamedly inspired by the Australian World Solar Challenges.  Despite it being in Australia, it had wisely chosen to be a World Challenge and rightly so. It is 3000 km long along public roads that are well maintained for safety reasons. Despite the presences of strong cross winds and huge lories, these are valid challenges for any car all over the world. The World Solar Challenge is a design competition, in contrast to primarily driver's competitions. In addition, it also promotes sustainable designs so restrict the design freedom to less costly solutions. Equatorial Borneo  Solar Challenge The Borneo Solar Challenges attempt to duplicate similar objectives but in a different location and environment. They attempt to reinvite the participants to try their machines and organisations in an entirely different environment that promises to be more optimal for Solar Car, by operat...