Tokai University completes solar car with Sharp III-V solar cells

**greencat** · #1 10-25-2009, 12:06 PM

Tokai University completes solar car with Sharp III-V solar cells
Japan’s Tokai University has completed construction of its ‘Tokai Challenger’ solar car, which will be used from 24-31 October in the Global Green Challenge (one of the world’s largest solar car races, formerly the World Solar Challenge).

Picture: Tokai Challenger solar car, powered by Sharp Corp's triple-junction compound semiconductor solar cells.

The race’s solar car category has vehicles powered only by the sun’s energy crossing the Australian continent from Darwin to Adelaide (about 3000km). Tokai University drivers include Kenjiro Shinozuka (who in 1997 became the first Japanese to win the Paris to Dakar Rally overall) as well as university students and alumni.

The Tokai University Challenge Center Team consists of 19 members (mostly students) led by professor Hideki Kimura, who researches high-efficiency solar cars at the School of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The team has previously crossed the Australian desert three times—in 1993, 1996, and 2001—for the World Solar Challenge. In 2008, with Shinozuka as driver, the team won the 4200km South African Solar Challenge.

To maximize performance under the harsh conditions of the race, the Tokai Challenger is covered not with silicon solar cells but with triple-junction compound semiconductor solar cells - using indium gallium phosphide (InGaP), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) and germanium (Ge) for the top, middle and bottom layers, respectively. They are made by Tokyo-based electronics firm Sharp Corp, the only manufacturer whose solar cells are approved for use by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Originally developed for space applications (sealed with glass to make a module), they are instead sealed with a film to enable mounting on curved surfaces and to minimize weight.

With a solar energy conversion efficiency of 30%, the 2176 cells (which measure 77mm x 39mm each) cover 6m 2 in total and provide power output of 1.8kW.

Sharp says that, despite crystalline and thin-film silicon solar cells currently being its main solar power products, it aims to continue its progress in R&D on compound semiconductor photovoltaics.

Semiconductor Today

**greencat** · #2 10-25-2009, 12:10 PM

A team from Tokai University will use this solar car in the Global Green Challenge, one of the world's largest solar car races, to be held from October 24 to 31, 2009.

The solar car category of the Global Green Challenge has vehicles powered only by the sun's energy traverse the Australian continent for a distance of about 3,000 km. Tokai University drivers will include Kenjiro Shinozuka, who in 1997 became the first Japanese to achieve overall victory in the Paris to Dakar Rally, as well as Tokai University students and alumni.

The "Tokai Challenger" solar car is equipped with Sharp compound solar cells developed for outer space applications. The cells have an output of 1.8 kW and a cell conversion efficiency of 30%, the highest level in the world.

Sharp is the only manufacturer whose solar cells are approved for use by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Sharp will continue pushing forward with R&D on compound solar cells, in addition to crystalline and thin-film solar cells, which are currently Sharp's main solar power products.

Overview of the Tokai University Team

The team, named Tokai University Challenge Center Team, is led by Professor Hideki Kimura, who researches high-efficiency solar cars at the Tokai University School of Engineering's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The team for this year's race is made up of 19 members, mostly students. The Tokai University Challenge Center Team has crossed the Australian desert three times?in 1993, 1996, and 2001?for the World Solar Challenge, which evolved into the Global Green Challenge in 2009. In 2008, with Kenjiro Shinozuka as driver, the team participated in the roughly 4,200-km South African Solar Challenge and emerged the overall winner of that race.

About Sharp

Sharp Corporation is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. As a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses.
Tokai University's Solar Car