It has now been 20 years since a fleet of sleek, high-tech, strange-looking vehicles, powered only by the sun’s rays, first crossed the imposing Australian outback, in a unique 3000km challenge that would test the strategy and endurance of the toughest minds and bodies.

In October 2007 the biennial Panasonic World Solar Challenge (PWSC) is back and celebrating its 20th anniversary with another gruelling yet rewarding journey straight down Australia’s desert belly, on the remote Stuart Highway, from October 21-28. And in a world where climate change and energy efficiency is on the agenda more than ever before, the impact and significance of this major international event has risen to a new level, with its showcasing of the latest in clean, green automotive technology and transport possibilities for the future.

The PWSC is a friendly competition of solar vehicles crossing the Australian continent from Darwin to Adelaide, powered by nothing but the sun.* Teams come from around the globe - having researched, designed & built vehicles capable of completing the 3000km trek from Darwin in the Northern Territory (just 12 degrees south of the equator), to Adelaide in South Australia.

This year has seen the event attract record entries, with several first-time countries represented including India, the Philippines and Wales.

Arguably one of the greatest scientific challenges and adventures of our time, the PWSC promotes and celebrates educational and technical excellence, and draws attention to the necessity and ingenuity of sustainable transport. Indeed, the event is underpinned by a serious environmental agenda – with entrants in the event’s technology class able to use the event as a unique, high-profile platform for showcasing real vehicles that demonstrate the very latest in fuel-efficient technology and low carbon fuels.

Queen’s University’s (Canada) ‘Aurum’ - participating in the Challenge Class

PWSC Event Manager Chris Selwood says the event is a challenge in energy efficiency – and much more. “It’s all about creating a balance between several delicate factors – sustainable speed and endurance, energy management and strategic planning,” Mr Selwood said. “Bringing all those things together in synchronisation is essential for success. The teams literally put in hundreds of hours of research and hard work to develop their vehicles.”

This year the event consists of 61 teams from 20 countries. The event has three different classes, with two classes for solar cars (the Challenge Class and Adventure Class) and another for vehicles demonstrating exciting new fuel-efficient technologies (the Greenfleet Technology Class). There are 42 solar cars and 19 vehicles in the Greenfleet Technology Class.

The Challenge Class features newly built solar cars, including Canada’s ‘Midnight Sun’ Solar Race Team, who currently hold the Guinness World Record for the longest distance ever travelled in a solar car. The thrill of designing and making a viable solar car capable of crossing a rugged continent is what excites those in the Adventure Class. For these entrants, it’s about the technology, the design and the experience of a lifetime!

The Greenfleet Technology Class is set to showcase the viability and performance of a new generation of vehicles with ultra fuel efficiency and low emission technologies. In line with the demand for cleaner and greener vehicles, some of these clever vehicles represent the very real practical transport technologies of tomorrow! Vehicles entered run on a variety of weird and wonderful substances, from electricity and ethanol, to canola oil and chip fat!

Teams have already started arriving in Australia to prepare for the event – including The University of Michigan’s team and the highly successful Nuon Solar Team from the Netherlands – who won the Challenge in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

Universiti Technologi Malaysia’s ‘Suria Kar 2’ - participating in the Adventure Class class

Danish born adventurer Hans Tholstrup initiated the World Solar Challenge after he drove a homebuilt solar car called the Quiet Achiever across Australia, from west to east, in 20 days in 1982. In 1987 the event was inaugurated, showcasing the development of automotive technology and promoting alternatives to conventional automobiles. The first Challenge saw 23 cars from seven countries compete, with General Motors’ Sunraycer winning the race in 44 hours, with an average speed of 67 km/h.

The challenge has since become a testing bed for every facet of vehicle design from aerodynamics to tyres, with participation in various forms from automobile giants like Ford, Honda, Toyota and Nissan. Following the 1996 event, Hans Tholstrup sold the World Solar Challenge to the South Australian Government. The PWSC is the premier forum for solar vehicle technology and the focus for the creative efforts of some of the best companies and engineering schools globally. It continues to attract worldwide media attention in the form of books, documentaries and even a feature film.

Over the event’s 20 year history, the average speed of solar cars has risen significantly. The 1987 winner’s average speed was 67 km/h – fast forward to 2005 and the winning vehicle ‘Nuna III’ had an average speed of 103 km/h, with a maximum recorded speed of 147 km/h.

The event is also a major, well-established tourism drawcard for Australia (particularly the cities of Darwin and Adelaide), injecting thousands of dollars into the economy and providing a tourism profile for remote areas of the country. The physical journey of the event unfolds as a remarkable study of contrasts – from the wetlands of the northern tropics, through arid cattle-grazing lands and desert, to the grand Flinders Ranges and farmlands of the south. The Challenge kicks off in State Square, Darwin, with the finishing line in Victoria Square, Adelaide.

Nuon Solar Team’s (Switzerland) ‘Nuna 4’ - participating in the Challenge Class

There are only three main restrictions to the Challenge – these relate to vehicle dimensions, daily travelling times (8am-5pm) & that vehicle propulsion may be derived only from direct global solar radiation. Apart from this, there are no boundaries! The event will again use a dynamic Route map system online at www.wsc.org.au that will show the locations of teams as they make the 3000km trek.