Queen's University Solar Vehicle Team
Encyclopedia
The Queen’s University Solar Vehicle Team (QSVT) was a dynamic, multidisciplinary student design project at Queen's University
, Kingston
, Ontario
, Canada
, whose goal was to design and build vehicles that are solely powered by the sun’s energy. One of the two original Canadian teams, the Queen’s University Solar Vehicle Team has designed, built and raced solar powered vehicles since 1988. During this time the team had risen to be one of the top teams on the international solar car racing circuit, participating in numerous solar vehicle races, including The Canadian Solar Discovery Challenge, the North American Solar Challenge (NASC) and the World Solar Challenge
.
The team has completed its 11th vehicle, which raced in 2007 and 2008. The team competes in two major races every two years. The North American Solar Challenge is held in July of every second year, typically spanning nearly 4000 km of North America over ten days. The World Solar Challenge, often called the world's premier solar car race, runs from Darwin to Adelaide, Australia, several months after the NASC.
Established in 1988, the QSVT designed and built its first car, Photomoto, to compete in the Great Canadian Solar Challenge. Since then, the team has had numerous astounding accomplishments. The summer of 2000 saw the team take on a cross-Canada tour, Suntrek, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest journey by a solar vehicle. During this tour, solar power, its uses, benefits, and importance were presented to Canadians through a variety of hands-on and educational activities. The QSVT’s races in 2003 were no less exciting; the team placed first out of the two-seater vehicles in both the North American Solar Challenge, and the World Solar Challenge
, the two most prestigious solar vehicle competitions in North America and the world, respectively.
Behind all of the achievements and successes is a highly organized team. Through their efforts, the QSVT is able to achieve its goals and those of its sponsors through various activities including annual events at the provincial, national and international levels, each garnering considerable media attention. Thus, equipped with both a full corporate and media relations team, the QSVT has been able to utilize fully all of its media coverage to the full advantage of its sponsors.
The team is made up of about one hundred undergraduate students from Queen's University at Kingston, mainly from the Faculty of Applied Science, the Faculty of Arts & Science, and the School of Business. Students perform all the tasks related to the team from engineering design and construction, to team administration and public education. It is a valuable opportunity that provides students with experience in engineering, management and teamwork preparing them for the workforce of today and tomorrow.
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, whose goal was to design and build vehicles that are solely powered by the sun’s energy. One of the two original Canadian teams, the Queen’s University Solar Vehicle Team has designed, built and raced solar powered vehicles since 1988. During this time the team had risen to be one of the top teams on the international solar car racing circuit, participating in numerous solar vehicle races, including The Canadian Solar Discovery Challenge, the North American Solar Challenge (NASC) and the World Solar Challenge
World Solar Challenge
The World Solar Challenge is a solar-powered car race which covers through the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide.The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools...
.
The team has completed its 11th vehicle, which raced in 2007 and 2008. The team competes in two major races every two years. The North American Solar Challenge is held in July of every second year, typically spanning nearly 4000 km of North America over ten days. The World Solar Challenge, often called the world's premier solar car race, runs from Darwin to Adelaide, Australia, several months after the NASC.
About the Team
The QSVT concentrates its efforts in three principal areas: technical innovation, educational activities, and environmental awareness. This broad focus gives the QSVT the ability to impact a wide variety of individuals and groups. To maintain the success that has been established in these three areas, the cooperation and support of sponsors is essential.Established in 1988, the QSVT designed and built its first car, Photomoto, to compete in the Great Canadian Solar Challenge. Since then, the team has had numerous astounding accomplishments. The summer of 2000 saw the team take on a cross-Canada tour, Suntrek, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest journey by a solar vehicle. During this tour, solar power, its uses, benefits, and importance were presented to Canadians through a variety of hands-on and educational activities. The QSVT’s races in 2003 were no less exciting; the team placed first out of the two-seater vehicles in both the North American Solar Challenge, and the World Solar Challenge
World Solar Challenge
The World Solar Challenge is a solar-powered car race which covers through the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide.The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools...
, the two most prestigious solar vehicle competitions in North America and the world, respectively.
Behind all of the achievements and successes is a highly organized team. Through their efforts, the QSVT is able to achieve its goals and those of its sponsors through various activities including annual events at the provincial, national and international levels, each garnering considerable media attention. Thus, equipped with both a full corporate and media relations team, the QSVT has been able to utilize fully all of its media coverage to the full advantage of its sponsors.
The team is made up of about one hundred undergraduate students from Queen's University at Kingston, mainly from the Faculty of Applied Science, the Faculty of Arts & Science, and the School of Business. Students perform all the tasks related to the team from engineering design and construction, to team administration and public education. It is a valuable opportunity that provides students with experience in engineering, management and teamwork preparing them for the workforce of today and tomorrow.
Vehicles
Since 1988 the team has designed, built and raced ten vehicles, and is currently designing and constructing its eleventh vehicle. Starting in 1988 with Photomoto, the team won the Great Canadian Solar Challenge, and since then has built nine other award winning vehicles.| Year | Vehicle | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Photomoto | 1st Place, Great Canadian Solar Challenge |
| 1990 | Sunquest | 24th Place overall, WSC 1990 |
| First Canadian Team to ever compete at WSC | ||
| 1993 | Sunquest II | 14th Place overall, Sunrayce 1993 |
| 1995 | Quest | 6th Place overall, Sunrayce 1995 |
| Top Canadian Team at Sunrayce 1995 | ||
| 1997 | Dawn Treader | 11th Place overall, WSC 1997 |
| Top Canadian Team, WSC 1997 | ||
| 10th Place Overall Finish, Sunrayce 1997 | ||
| Canadian Solar Discovery Challenge, National Champs | ||
| Canadian SDC Award for Technical Innovation, Solar Array | ||
| 1999 | Kinetic | 2nd Place overall, Sunrayce 1999 Qualifiers |
| 1999 | Radiance | 2nd Place overall Sunrayce 1999, WSC 1999 |
| Top Canadian Team at Sunrayce 1999, WSC 1999 | ||
| 2000 | SunTrek 2000, travelled 7044 km to enter the Guinness Book of World Records | |
| 2001 | Mirage | 4th Place overall, ASC 2001 |
| 5th Place overall, WSC 2001 | ||
| Top Canadian Team at WSC 2001 | ||
| 2003 | Gemini | 1st Place two-seater WSC 2003, ASC 2003 |
| Top Canadian Team at WSC 2003 | ||
| Best Array, Electrical System, "To Boldly Go" Award at ASC 2003 for two-seater design | ||
| Hans Tholstrup Award at WSC 2003 for the spirit of the WSC | ||
| 2005 | Ultraviolet | 1st Place two-seater NASC 2005 |
| Winner of NASC "Never Give Up" Award | ||
| 2007 | Aurum | |
See also
- Queen's UniversityQueen's UniversityQueen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
- World Solar ChallengeWorld Solar ChallengeThe World Solar Challenge is a solar-powered car race which covers through the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide.The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools...
- North American Solar Challenge