One thing you might not know about electric vehicle (EV) racing is that the best, the fastest and the most powerful racers often use solar energy, or other forms of renewables to break records. Case in point, Lightning Motorcycle raced its record-breaking machines using solar panels on its vans. Formula E is also heading in that direction with news today that Hanergy Solar Group Limited becomes the official solar energy partner of the Beijing ePrix for the FIA Formula E Championship.
Press Release
HONG KONG (June 10 2014): Hanergy Solar Group Limited, the world’s leading thin-film solar technology enterprise, today announced that it has become the official solar energy partner of the Beijing ePrix for the FIA Formula E Championship.
Formula E is the world’s first fully-electric motorsport series competing on 10 city-centre street circuits around the world, beginning on September 13 2014 in Beijing racing around the iconic Olympic ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium. It features 10 teams, each with two drivers, and is designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans, whilst increasing the interest in electric vehicles, clean energy and promoting sustainability.
For the Beijing ePrix, Hanergy will install its customised rapid deployment solar power system throughout the event area to provide part of the total energy requirements needed for the race – converting sunlight to clean solar energy with the highest efficiency under limited space, time constraints and varying weather conditions.
The rapid deployment solar power system adopts the most advanced CIGS flexible thin-film solar technology of Hanergy Solar enabling a maximum conversion rate of 20.5%. The Hanergy Solar system is also lightweight, flexible, boasts excellent power generation even in dim light, and benefits from an advanced packaging technology.
Mr. Zhou Jiesan, Executive President of Hanergy Global Solar Power & Applications Group, subsidiary of Hanergy Solar, said: “Formula E conveyed an extraordinary idea of converging energy, environmental protection and entertainment in a car race, and Hanergy Solar is proud to take part in the event by providing clean energy with our leading flexible thin-film solar technology in the world. Over the past years, Hanergy Solar, with technological innovation and R&D on customisation solutions, has been working together with various business partners from around the globe to develop electric automotive power supply, storage and the surrounding photovoltaic system applications. Hanergy Solar, as the world’s number one thin-film solar technology enterprise in terms of scale and technology, will seek further cooperation with new-energy automotive manufacturers to promote electric vehicles.”
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said: “We expect Formula E not only to bring excitement but also serve as a platform for R&D of electric vehicles. We are impressed by the advantages of the thin-film solar technology of Hanergy Solar and our partnership with Hanergy Solar will be instrumental in promoting electric vehicles and the use of sustainable and efficient electric energy. It will also raise awareness of environmental protection and will thus be conducive to the sustainability of the community.”
Click on the following for more information on Formula E or the Hanergy Solar Group Limited.
