McGill University Solarcar Team

iSun Cruising

History

McGill University's Solar Car Team is composed of students from the faculties of Engineering and Computer Science. For the past ten years, the team has been building and perfecting solar powered vehicles for road racing in international competitions. The team learn and exercise teamwork, personal initiative, and responsibility - not only in the engineering disciplines of design and analysis, but also in construction, marketing, project management, and promotion. Team members make an effort to promote engineering and computer science careers in their frequent meetings with elementary school, high school, and CEGEP students.

The Cars

Team RaPower

McGill University first generation solar car

Team Northern Sun

McGill University second generation solar car

Team iSun

McGill University 3rd Generation Solarcar 2003

iSun at Salon National de l'Environnement 2006

iSun is McGill University's third generation solar car, built in 2003.

Data:

Name:
No. of Passager: 1
Speed: Drove at 109 km/h during NASC, top achievable speed 130 km/h
Weight: 340 lb without driver; 520 lb with the driver.
Battery: 30 kg lithium polymer battery pack from Kokam
Motor: New Generation Motors at 6 hp
Size: 5 m long X 1.8 m wide
Power from Sun: 900 Watts
Max Driving distance at night: Expect 300 km at 40 km/h.
Worth: $600,000 without labour cost
Major cost:

• Models for top shell, bottom shell and canopy
• carbon fibre and other composites
• Batteries
• printed circuit board
• autoclave time
• precision metal fabrication
• titanium and other metal

Race:

• FSGP (Formula Sun Grand Prix)
• NASC 2003 (North American Solar Challenge)

Media coverage

Achievements

See also

• List of solar car teams
• McGill University

External links

• McGill University Solarcar Team Official Site
• McGill University
• North American Solar Challenge