The great Swiss solar drive
In 1984 some solarmobile freaks decided to organize a solarmobile race across Switzerland as a promotional tour for the use of solar energy, and the first solarmobiles constructed for the race used mainly bicycle parts. Since then, a galaxy of annual events - races, exhibitions, conferences - connected with solar cars has become a feature of life in Switzerland. Already over 1,000 solar-mobiles are running on Swiss roads, being integrated into the traffic without any problems. The number of solar plants feeding the mains power grid has risen from 1 to 300. Swiss ministers are calling for 200,000 zero pollution cars by the year 2010. Stimulating all these developments is the Tour de Sol. This is the name given to both an annual solar car race and to the organization which works throughout the year to coordinate this and other events in the field of solarmobiles. This article reports on the race of 1992 and the results of the organization's efforts to promote solar vehicles.
- OSTI ID:
- 5118236
- Journal Information:
- Sunworld; (United States), Vol. 16:1; ISSN 0149-1938
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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