Circumnavigation
Going 'Round the World. Sun powered.
In the future the SolarWorld Gran Turismo, the brand-new ‘sun chariot’ of the University of Applied Sciences Bochum will live up to its name. The students strive for an ambitious goal:
For the first time in history an energetic autarkic powered solar vehicle will circumnavigate the world!
The preparations of this momentous event are nearly finalized and the first stage of the circumnavigation starts in mid-October 2011 with participation at the World Solar Challenge in Australia. Right after driving through New Zealand, several countries from four more continents being traversed: North-America, North-Africa, Europe and Asia. By the time 34.000 kilometer and two equatorial-crossings are successfully completed, the ending point should be reached approximately after one year.
For an official circumnavigation it is necessary to travel at least 28.500 kilometer by land. When this event is finished the SolarWorld GT will fulfill various world records. In the Guinness Book of World Records the event will be recorded among others as the longest driven route with a solar car.
