MERCED - For the first time in history, a solar-powered car is
driving around the world without any carbon emissions - and it will
be in Merced next week (July 18).
Swiss adventurer Louis Palmer is taking a small, blue,
environmentally friendly taxi around the world. The solar-electric
two-seat taxi with attached trailer is an attempt to call attention
to global warming while providing solutions for oil independency.
The
School of
Engineeringat the University of California, Merced, is
sponsoring a stop on the Solar Taxi world tour to help advocate for
alternative energy. UC Merced is home to the UC Merced Energy
Research Institute, which is made up of several energy-related
research efforts, including projects developing innovative solar
technology, forecasting solar power, and analyzing alternative
fuels. The
LEED-certified UC Merced campus- one of the most
energy-efficient university campuses in the world - is also a
living laboratory for the institute’s energy efficiency and
intelligent infrastructure research focus areas.
The public is invited to view the Solar Taxi during an open
house on Friday, July 18 from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Press availability
will occur during this time along with a photo opportunity with
Palmer and his crew. The Solar Taxi will be parked outside the
Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Commons at UC Merced.
With a full component of batteries, the Solar Taxi can travel
without recharging for almost 200 miles. With additional energy
from the solar cells on a sunny day, it can travel almost 260
miles. The vehicle has a top speed of 60 miles an hour and needs no
gasoline at all.
By the time the Solar Taxi travels the Earth, it will have been
to 40 different countries upon five continents, including the
United States.
Read more about this project at
http://www.solartaxi.com/mission/.
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