 Solar
energy is simply electricity that is produced by the sun. The suns
light travels ninety-three million miles to a solar cell on earth.
These solar cells are shiny, metallic plates like the ones on top
of the University of Pennsylvania's solar car. Once the light strikes
the solar cell a reaction takes place and "excites" the
electrons, which creates energy. This is a very simplistic definition
of how solar energy works, but it represents the very fundamentals
behind it and forces solar energy to be recognized as a very viable
and dependable resource in the future.
 Solar
energy is not just a unfeasible energy source that only exists in
sci-fi movies and futuristic looking cars. It can also be applied
to homes everywhere as a alternative form of energy that benefits
both the environment and the wallet. Where windows are placed in the
house and what type of insulation is used can both have an amazing
impact on the overall energy efficency in a household. These present
major considerations that should be incorporated into a home and also
challenge builders to create houses that fall outside of the "cookie-cutter"
style that is littered throughout the suburban sprawl.
 Besides
all of the wonderful advancements that solar energy can aid it also
has one more encouraging after effect. There is no clean up! Absolutely
no filthy residue or danger of spillage. There are no lingering piles
of waste by-product that lay dormant and harken back to a energy source
that is long since gone. There will be no excess sunlight that pollutes
the Bering Strait and kills innumerable wildlife. There will no longer
be any rancid smells from the exhaust pipes of the bus ahead of you
or electric bills that will force you to mortgage your house.
The future of energy is looking bright, safe, clean, and cheap and
it is coming from a source that does not need to be dug or drilled
for, but one that has stared us in the face every day since the beginning
of humankind.
Formula
Sun Group of Events
 American
Solar Challenge
From July 15th to 25th, 2001 , 2300 miles of solar racing challenged
teams from around the world. High tech and high efficiency solar
cars crossed the Great Plains, climbed the Rocky Mountains, and
dashed over the Great American Desert to the finish line in Southern
California.
Solar
Express
This solar bike road-race combines solar power, human power,
and ingenuity. The 2001 Solar Express is a 600 km race from Topeka,
Kansas to Jefferson City, MO.
Formula
Sun Grand Prix
FSGP is a closed-course solar car race. There will be two competitions
in 2001: a race in Kansas in May and a race in Michigan in July.
Solar
Bike Race
An annual international closed-course solar bike race held in
the heartland of America. SBR2001 will be held May 11-13, 2001,
and is the qualifying event for Solar Express.
The
American Solar Challenge (ASC) Solar Scout
A volunteer program enables youth of all ages to support the
ASC solar car race by learning about solar power, energy efficiency,
and renewable energy. For their participation, kids earn a "Solar
Scout" badge, which is a bright and colorful tribute to solar
car racing and historic Route 66!
The
University of Pennsylvania Solar Racing Team
 Winston
Solar Challenge
The Winston Solar Challenge project is an international education
program designed to teach high school students the physics and technology
associated with a road worthy solar car. Its objective is to encourage
student interest in science, engineering and solar technology. Emphasis
is placed on the sharing of knowledge and the developing of new
friendships rather than on the intensity of competition.
Stanford
Solar Car Project
Link for teams around the world, suppliers (tires, batteries, engines,
brakes, etc.), books, races, solar power, electric vehicles, solar
boats, solar bicycles, alternative energy, and others.
Building
a model solar car
Minnesota Renewable Energy Society
World Solar Challenge
With the only the sun for power some of the best engineered solar
cars make there way across the Australian Outback.
U.S.
Department of Energy/ Office of Science
A 2,300 mile solar car journey that goes from Chicago to California
following historic Route 66.
Energy
Coordinating Agency
ECA is dedicated to making residential energy use safe, affordable
and environmentally friendly. ECA assists over 28,000 families annually
with weatherization, conservation, utility bills and energy related
home repairs.
Clean Air Council
The Clean Air Council protects air quality by promoting waste reduction
and recycling, sustainable transportation, clean energy, and better
indoor air quality.
 Solar
Host
The world's first and only Internet company that is totally powered
by renewable energy.
For a free copy of the special 'Alternative Transportation
Edition' of the GreenWorks At Home printed bulletin, please
send your name and address to talktous@greenworks.tv
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For
two years a team from the University of Pennsylvania had been working
diligently to create a solar car to qualify in the American Solar
Challenge 2001. The race, which took place in July, was a rigorous
test that took each team from Chicago to California. Hurdling several
difficulties along the way, while navigating from the Midwest Plains
to the Western Deserts with the Rockies in between, the teams learned
a lot about the fragile, and often tempermental, state of solar
engineering. 
