CIE Components in Electronics
CamdenBoss, provider of performance engineered interconnection and enclosures, has donated Super Light flexible solar panel technology to power telemetry and communications in the support car of Team Sonnenwagen Aachen for October’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia.
Team Sonnenwagen Aachen’s vehicle – designed and built by students from RWTH Aachen University and FH Aachen University of Applied Science – will compete in the 3000km Challenger class from Darwin to Adelaide starting on Sunday 8th October.
The CamdenBoss solar cell will be used to top-up charge a standard gel lead-acid battery connected to the support vehicle’s on-board power supply via cut-off relays. As the on-board power may not always be sufficient to cover consumption, having an additional power supply to feed the battery using solar cells is essential to ensure operation of critical telemetry and communications equipment. The Super Light ultra-thin flexible solar panels are ideal for automotive applications as they fit to mild curves and do not add significant weight to the vehicle.
Nicola Kay, managing director CamdenBoss commented: “We are delighted to donate this Super Light solar panel to help provide extra power in Team Sonnenwagen Aachen’s support vehicle as they race over 3000km through the Australian outback along the Stuart Highway to Adelaide.”
The biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge offers probably the toughest of tests for solar powered vehicles and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Over 40 teams of secondary and tertiary students from five continents will compete in hand built vehicles driven only by solar power across some of the world’s most challenging territory.
