Greentech Lead America: SunPower, a global solar energy and technology provider, announced that it is powering the solar vehicles of nine of 12 university teams participating in 2013 Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP).
The solar vehicles are powered by SunPower’s Maxeon solar cells. The all-back contact solar cells collect and convert more sunlight into energy when compared to cells with contacts on the front. This all-back contact allows SunPower cells to generate maximum solar power when applied to limited surface areas found on some rooftops, as well as on the hoods of FSGP racecars.
SunPower CEO Tom Werner, said, “SunPower cells fueling the Formula Sun Grand Prix cars, and the Solar Impulse airplane that recently journeyed above Texas, utilize the same solar technology that power residential rooftops, commercial applications and power plant installations around the globe.”
The nine universities that chose to build and race their solar vehicles with SunPower Maxeon solar cells include Illinois State University, Iowa State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Northwestern University, Oregon State University, Principia College, University of Texas at Austin, University of Waterloo and Western Michigan University
SunPower is an official sponsor of this year’s FSGP.
SunPower recently announced the appointment of Catherine A. Lesjak, a 27-year veteran of HP, as a new, independent member of the SunPower’s board of directors.
In another recent announcement, SunPower said RevoluSun is now offering the new SunPower X-Series Solar Panel (X-Series) to Massachusetts residential customers.