On January 27th, 2012, SolarWorld USA (Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S.), a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG (Bonn, Germany), announced that a solar-powered car sponsored by the company has begun the U.S. leg of its 21,000-mile quest to circle the globe.

The SolarWorld Gran Turismo (GT) is a collaboration between SolarWorld and Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany.


On the mission to set a Guinness Book World Record

SolarWorld GT, a two-seat sports car powered by roof-integrated solar cells, is on the mission to set a Guinness Book of World Records record for the longest distance covered by a solar car. The SolarWorld GT began its trans-world journey in Australia and New Zealand in October 2011, covering more than 3,100 miles before shipping to the United States in December.

Following the U.S. leg, the vehicle and its crew will travel through Europe, Africa and Asia before finishing in Australia in late 2012.

The SolarWorld GT will make five planned stops along a 3,774-mile route from California to South Carolina that will include visits to universities and non-profit organizations. At each stop, SolarWorld and the vehicle’s drivers and crew – the college students who developed and designed the SolarWorld GT – will host a reception showcasing the vehicle and awarding one audience member the chance to ride in the solar-powered car.

2012-02-02| Courtesy: SolarWorld USA; Photo: Business Wire | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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