Solar powered cars from around the world congregated in Australia yesterday for the start of the World Solar Challenge which sees solar powered cars talking a 3,000 km race (1,863 miles) across the country at speeds of up to 100 km/h. The event kicked off in the north in Darwin, and will finish in three or four days time in the southern city of Adelaide.

The entrants hail from 17 different countries and are likely to encounter a variety of obstacles, not least desert winds, immense heat and kangaroos. Although they are expected to average around 100 km/h, most of the racers are capable of much higher speeds. However, the race is about energy efficiency and management and not just the fastest speeds. Nuon Solar from the Netherlands has won the race three times. The team also hold the race record at 29 hours and 11 minutes.

For obvious reasons, racing takes place during daylight hours only. Each night, the drivers and crew must camp out wherever their vehicle ends up.

The only notable issue so far has been from the University of Michigan’s entry who crashed a couple of kilometres into the race. The racer is not thought to be badly damaged and the team are hoping to continue onwards.

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