Enginuity Winter 2005 - The Schulich School of Engineering ...

Students - International
Photo Credit: Stuart Gradon
Driving Om Sunshine
‘Soleon’ crosses the finish line, at the University of Calgary, in the North American Solar Car Challenge on July 27.
Soak up the Sun
It has been an exciting and extremely busy year for the Schulich School
of Engineering’s ‘Soleon’ Solar Car Team. Dedicated to the realization
of the University of Calgary’s first solar car, the ‘Soleon’ Team worked
diligently on first compiling an extremely comprehensive multidisciplinary
team, then building the car, then racing their finished
product. From concept to completion, the ‘Soleon’ team showed
tremendous initiative and determination in building their solar car.
The fruits of their labour were soon realized as they set out on their first
two races, the North American Solar Car Challenge and the World Solar
Challenge. These two endeavours garnered the best rookie finish in the
North American Solar Car Challenge (with the team placing 13 th ) and
ultimately would see ‘Soleon’ as world champions, placing first in the
production class with a 10 th place overall finish in the World Solar
Challenge.
“The team is happy but by no means surprised,” said Garett Brett, Soleon
Business Manager, of the team’s accomplishments, “… by the time the
core team was working together day in and day out we all knew that
we were a force to be reckoned with. ”
The ‘Soleon’ Solar Car project showed a true multi-disciplinary flare with
team contingents from engineering, business, biomechanics, computer
science, biological science, psychology, and journalism. Two faculty
advisors from Engineering helped
oversee the project, while media
representatives from University of
Calgary External Relations and
CFCN Television also helped
provide great coverage of the
team. Brett agreed that support
and contribution were integral
to the team’s success.
“We owe a significant portion of
our success to our sponsors ...
they all have been very necessary
contributors to our success.”
So what is next for ‘Soleon’?
“When [the car] returns it will be
retired from racing and may be
used for some events in the near
future. Soleon, the team, is in a
transition process and is looking for
new members and ideas as we
gear up for building a 2 nd iteration
U of C vehicle ready to showcase
Calgary technology and energy as
the best in the world.”
12 UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY