Solar-powered car, SolarWorld GT, sets out on U.S. leg of first round-the-world journey
Road trip will include university stops in California, Arizona, Texas and Florida
CAMARILLO, Calif., Jan. 30, 2012 – A solar-powered car sponsored by SolarWorld, the largest U.S. solar panel manufacturer for more than 35 years, this week begins the U.S. leg of its 21,000-mile quest to circle the globe, propelled only by sun’s rays. The SolarWorld Gran Turismo (GT), a collaboration between SolarWorld and Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany, is a two-seat sports car powered by roof-integrated solar cells. The GT’s circumnavigation of the planet, a first for a sustainable automobile, will set a “Guinness Book of World Records” record for the longest distance covered by a solar car.
High Resolution JPEG, 4000x2667, 1 MB “The SolarWorld GT is an ambassador for sustainable personal transportation, reminding us that the power to shift our driving habits away from dirty fossil fuels is within our grasp,” said Kevin Kilkelly, president of SolarWorld Americas, the company’s commercial unit based in Camarillo, Calif. “Clean energy from the sun is there for the taking – without depleting the Earth’s riches.”
The events are open to the public and scheduled as follows:
- 4 p.m. Feb. 3, University of California Santa Barbara, Bren School of Environmental Management, Santa Barbara, Calif.
- 8:30 a.m. Feb. 6, SolarWorld Americas, Camarillo.
- 4 p.m. Feb. 10, Arizona State University, Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development, Tempe, Ariz.
- 4 p.m. Feb. 23, Texas Christian University, School of Geology, Energy and the Environment, Fort Worth, Tex.
- 4 p.m. March 9, Florida A&M University, High Performance Materials Institute, Tallahassee, Fla.
Throughout the vehicle’s American road trip, SolarWorld’s Facebook page will host a contest in which participants are invited to guess where the SolarWorld GT has been at various points along its journey across the U.S. Clues will be given between each stop and winners will receive SolarWorld merchandise. All participants will be entered into a drawing to receive an Apple iPad 2.
The SolarWorld GT began its trans-world journey in Australia and New Zealand in October 2011, covering more than 3,100 miles before shipping to the United States in December. Following the U.S. leg, the vehicle and its crew will travel through Europe, Africa and Asia before finishing in Australia in late 2012.
About SolarWorld AG
SolarWorld AG manufactures solar power systems and in doing so contributes to a cleaner energy supply worldwide. The company, located in Bonn, employs approximately 3,000 people and carries out production in Freiberg, Germany, and Hillsboro, USA. From raw material silicon to the solar module, SolarWorld manages all stages of production ‒ including its own research and development. Through an international distribution network, SolarWorld supplies customers all over the world with solar modules and complete systems. The company maintains high social standards at all locations across the globe, and has committed itself to resource- and energy-efficient production. SolarWorld has been publically traded on the stock market since 1999 and is quoted in the technology index TecDax. SolarWorld achieved sales of about one billion Euros for the fiscal year 2011. More information at www.solarworld-usa.com.
Media Contact:
Devon Cichoski
Media relations manager
SolarWorld Americas
4650 Adohr Lane
Camarillo, CA 93012
Mobile: 805-377-2905
Office: 805-388-6388
devon.cichoski(at)solarworld-usa.com