Eos
BWSC2015
18 - 25 OCTOBER
The 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge spanned 3000 kilometers; starting in Darwin, Northern Territory on 18 October, 2015 and ending in Adelaide, South Australia on 25 October, 2015. The Cruiser Class race consisted of two stages, split by a required overnight stop in Alice Springs where cars were able to recharge their battery. In the 2013 World Solar Challenge, the Cruiser Class had been allowed to charge in three locations, so this new requirement forced innovation.
Eos completed the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 58 hours and 45 minutes, finishing fifth in our class. As we prepare for the 2017 World Solar Challenge, we are looking into ways that will improve the practicality of our car as well as the efficiency.
FSGP2016
26 - 28 JULY
The Formula Sun Grand Prix is a three-day track race. It took place at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. FSGP likes to test how the competitors are able to corner, brake, and accelerate. In order to be successful in FSGP, teams must understand how their vehicle consumes power on a per-lap basis and perfectly manage this consumption. In the end, the team that is able to complete the most laps in the three-day span wins. Successful completion of FSGP is also required for competition in the American Solar Challenge.
The University of Minnesota has won the Formula Sun Grand Prix 4 times, in 2003 with Borealis II, 2005 with Borealis III, 2009 with Centaurus I, and in 2011 with Centaurus II. This year, we placed fourth behind Michigan, Principia, and Appalachian State.
BWSC2017
8 - 15 OCTOBER
The 2017 World Solar Challenge spanned 3000 kilometers; starting in Darwin, Northern Territory and ending in Adelaide, South Australia. The Cruiser Class race consisted of a single-stage regularity trial. The teams were ranked with a scoring algorithm which accounts for energy usage, vehicle occupancy, and practicality. The new rules allowed for charging at any time, but at a cost to the final efficiency score.
The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project’s 2017 model solar car Eos II drove across the entire Australian outback without any breaking down and without trailering. It was one of the most reliable and efficient solar cars ever built by UMNSVP.
The team had prepared for this event for many months. A team of 19 dedicated members flew into Australia a month before the race and started to touch up the car and also put in many hours of test driving before the start of BWSC.
