STUDENTS and professors from De La Salle University are aiming for the next international event to conquer. This time it will be the prestigious World Solar Challenge in Australia, a competition that pits developers of solar-powered vehicles from around the world.
Forty people from the DLSU and their corporate partners have been developing the first Philippine-made solar-powered car, which has been christened “Sinag” (”sunshine” in Filipino), that will be entered in the competition, which will be held in October 2007.
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Merritt Partners chairman and former energy secretary Vincent Perez said the development of the first Philippine-made solar-powered car that will be entered in the competition is one of the biggest undertakings related to energy development that brings together various private firms and an academic institution.
Perez said the solar-powered car will pose a major challenge to DLSU as it has never created a vehicle that runs solely on solar energy. “That’s why this group of private entities is working together to help them build this car.”
Perez added that the endeavor of building the solar-powered car and joining a major competition will be further proof of Filipino ingenuity.
“It’s our next Mount Everest,” Perez said, referring to the three Filipina climbers who recently made history.
Meanwhile, DLSU Manila chancellor Carmelita Quebengco said the school has been teaching subjects related to solar energy and alternative fuel, and the Sinag Project will be the best method to apply what the students have learned.
She also said that while joining the World Solar Challenge will be an extremely grueling endeavor, the Sinag Project Team is not expected to win any award. “We’re not looking to win but to finish the game and prove that we Filipinos can also do it.”
The World Solar Challenge is an annual event joined mostly by research and development teams from international universities. The goal is to race through 3,000 kilometers of open roads from Darwin to Adelaide with minimal maintenance on the solar-powered vehicle.
DLSU Mechanical Engineering Department professor and head of the Sinag technical team Rene Fernandez said they already have the basic design for the car’s monocoque shell, with the solar cells to be integrated to its upper surface.
“SunPower provided the solar cells while Motolite provided the batteries. We already have the materials and equipment ready and hopefully, we finish before the October race,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez said that of the 40 people working on the car, 12 will go to Australia for the competition, four of whom will be the drivers.
The car itself is expected to be unveiled by September.
DLSU has partnered with about a dozen private entities to develop the Philippine-made solar car. Among these firms are Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corp., Shell, Ventus, Ford Group, Motolite and solar panel manufacturer SunPower.
Other partners include Aurora Cabrera Lavadia and Associates, JWT, Creasia, Merritt Partners, Gochermann Solar Technology, StratWorks and Tuason Training School.
October 29th, 2007 at 6:52 am
[...] Sinag is composed of students from De La Salle University and is sponsored by about a dozen local companies, including Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corp., [...]
September 5th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Good idea… next stop, promote more cheap locally produced utility type solar/electric/hybrid vehicles for the Philippines with corresponding support facilities.
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:03 am
The Solar car was unveiled yesterday at One Esplanade. Congrats to the Eng Boys of Velasco. Make old De La Salle proud and show the world who’s the best!
June 10th, 2007 at 5:47 am
pwede next year solar powered airconditioning system naman?
May 31st, 2007 at 9:27 am
Salutations to the team and sponsors who are working extra hard for this project!
I thank you all for for your support. Its you guys that keeps us, volunteers, striving for the best.
-Robert Obiles
Sinag Leader