A Canadian man set a world distance record in his solar car this week. Marcelo da Luz and his Xof1 (Power Of One) Solar Car arrived in Victoria, British Columbia on Thursday (October 30, 2008) after having driven more than 15,150-kilometre in his hand-made solar car. He beat the previous record of the distance covered by a solar car by a mere 30kms. Luz spent more than half a million dollars of his own money and more than 9 years building his Xof1 and organizing his cross-country journey.
The solar trip started in Toronto, Ontario and da Luz spent more than 140 days traveling across Canada. His route was through Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and into British Columbia before heading north into the Yukon Territory. The Xof1 then traveled into Inuvik, Northern Territories, Alaska and into the Arctic Circle. He looped back through the Yukon Territory and into British Columbia where Luz completed the final leg of his record setting solar car tour. It has been reported in the Canadian media, that Luz intends to keep driving with his Xof1 solar car into California and further extend his record lead.
The Xof1 uses 7.144m2 15% efficient photovoltaic cells (Shell type 893) to convert sunlight into electricity, storing the electricity in 96V 4Kwh battery module that power an electric motor that actually propels the car. A series of electric and electronic components control the whole process. The solar arrays output 900 watts. It uses regenerative braking and high-tech, low friction tires and has an extremely small frontal cross-section, all designed to reduce the power needed to accelerate and maintain a cruising speed.
The car, looking similar to a small UFO, weighs 300kg (with driver), is 5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide, with a ground clearance of 0.4 meters. The car chassis is made from polyurethane foam covered in fiberglass and reinforced with carbon fiber, the body construction (upper shell) is made from light foam covered in fiberglass. The car’s maximum speed is 120 km/hr.
Visit: http://www.xof1.com
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