Oerlikon Solar, the world's leading supplier of thin film silicon photovoltaic (PV) production equipment, is the main sponsor of the Oerlikon Solar Racing Team participating in the Zero Emissions Race with its Zerotracer electric vehicle.
The Zero Emissions Race promotes sustainable mobility and transport, and aims to generate popular enthusiasm for the use of renewable energy sources for vehicles and set the highest environmental standards for the future. The competing teams will race around the globe in 80 days.
"The goal of the race for Oerlikon Solar is to spread the message that there is progress in innovation for more efficient and sustainable mobility for the future," says Jurg Henz, CEO of Oerlikon Solar.
"Run by Oerlikon Solar's innovative, Swiss engineering thin film silicon solar technology, the Zerotracer is a perfect example of how electric vehicles can be fun to drive, desirable in design and sporty in performance, all while fighting global warming."
Mobility with zero emissions
The Zero Emissions Race is the brainchild of Louis Palmer, the first person to circle the globe in a solar-powered vehicle. Palmer's aim with the Zero Emissions Race, which is being held under the auspices of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), is to present emissions-free mobility solutions.
The Zerotracer, sponsored by Oerlikon Solar under the auspices of Cleantech Switzerland, is one of these solutions. The Zero Emissions Race will start on August 16, 2010 at the United Nations office in Geneva and will continue for 80 days, heading eastward through 16 countries and passing through more than 150 cities, including Berlin, Munich, Moscow, Shanghai, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Cancun (World Climate Conference), Lisbon and Madrid. It will conclude on January 22, 2011 in Geneva.
As the main sponsor of the Swiss team, Oerlikon Solar is responsible for generating the environmentally friendly solar energy. This energy is produced with thin film silicon modules that are non-toxic materials, and powers the Zerotracer at 2,400 kilowatts/hour (kWh) for the 30,000 kilometers (km) trip around the world.
