De La Salle University is back again for the World Solar Challenge this year with their newest solar car Sikat II. Made by students, faculty, and alumni, the car made major improvements from the last solar vehicle Sikat I which participated back in 2011.
With Sikat II, it is still the only and official entry of the Philippines to the World Solar Challenge in Austrailia which will go on a journey across the Australian continent. Despite challenges in building a vehicle that runs solely on Solar energy takes a lot of man power, engineering, assembly, testing, and management.
Last September 18, Team Sikat was formally introduced to the De La Salle Community and the media. De La Salle take pride of competing in the international competition and has high hopes of landing top spots in the race. The event also serves as a send-off party to the Team Sikat delegation that will comprise of team member each having specific roles to keep the solar car running as well as to avoid problems and assess weather and road conditions.
With a lot of analytic management, construction and testing done on Sikat II, Team Sikat is confident to complete the grueling journey and bring pride to the country. All of these aspects will be tested in the Australian terrain which is hot and dry at the time of the competition, sometimes unpredictable. It will also keep pinoy fans updated via social networking sites as it caries the flag among the world's best.
Team Sikat Solar Philippines for the World Solar Challenge
In 1987, the first World Solar Challenge invited bright young engineers and scientists from around the world to pursue the ideals of sustainable transport. The event posed the ultimate challenge: to design and build a car capable of traveling across the Australian continent on the power of sunlight and prove it by undertaking the 3,000 km journey in the spirit of friendly competition against other teams.
Since then, the event has been held biennially and has attracted world class teams from every continent. The Philippines sent its first entry with Sinag on 2007 where it finished 12th place. The country’s second entry, Sikat II, joined in the 2011 World Solar Challenge and finished 19th place.
Now on its 26th year, the 2013 World Solar Challenge will have 47 teams from 26 countries. It will be held from October 6 to 13. The teams will have to complete the 3,000 km race from Darwin to Adelaide. There are three classes in the WSC: Challenger class, Cruiser class, and Adventure class.
About Team Sikat Solar Philippines
This year, a core group of 20 mechanical and electrical engineering students and six faculty members from De La Salle University modified and made some improvements to the 2011 Sikat II car. The development and modifications took seven months to complete.
The car had a series of tests runs at Basa Airbase and at SCTEX from April to June 2013. Based on the tests, the modified Sikat II performed better and was more reliable than its earlier version. The car was able to run with higher speeds at lower power consumption. With a race-ready car, the team decided to join the 2013 World Solar Challenge adventure class and their objective is to land in the Top 3.
By the third week of September, the 14-man race team will depart for Darwin in preparation for the race which will kick off on October 6.
Sikat II General and technical specifications
Name of Car: Sikat II
Year: 2013
Speed: Average = 80 kph Max = 110 kph
Weight: 175 kg (without driver)
Solar Array: Sunpower Silicon. Efficiency = 22% Max. power output = 1300 W
Modifications to the 2011 Car
1. Aerodynamics: Lower coefficient of drag/better aerodynamic design through modifications in the fairings, lower ride height and smaller canopy
2. Mechanical: New brake design, new suspension system
3. Tires: New high performance Schwalbe Sleek tires with low coefficient of rolling resistance.
4. Electrical systems: New battery management system, improved telemetry and wiring.
Electrical Team
Timothy Arzea
Jed Argosino
Nicole Bueno
Reich Canlas
Micko Ceron
Kristine Gunaco
Alan Landa
Charles Bryan
Mark Ochoa
Ericson Ong
Carmela Pabilonia
Abby Padilla
Shermaine Que
Darell Tee
Gerald Teh
Joshua Santos
Mechanical Team
Elvin Cobankiat
Luis Chino Coronel
Paulo Coronel
Marco De Jesus
Patrick Dela Rama
Enrique Guanlao
Krysshia Jusi
Miro Manere
Miguel Quimpo
Khris Rea
Flynn Saw
John Tabor
Raplh Tanono
Raissa Ventura
Fritz Uy
Race Team
Sam Gavinio: Telemetry, electronics asset
John Anthony Jose: Weather monitor, telemetry, inventory assistant
Karlo Matriano: Wiring, auxiliary electronics, back-up driver
Elijah Romey: Solar car driver
Kenneth Navarro: Solar array, back-up driver
Francis Pulmano: Battery management, scout driver
Ferdyn Rañosa: Scout driver, logistics assistant
Faculty Advisers
Leonard Ambata: Battery safety officer and first aid officer
Jingo Badillo: PR and media officer
Jack Catalan: Electrical team adviser
Carl Mamawal: Main driver, Logistics
Isidro Marfori III: Mechanical team adviser
Conrad Pantua: Safety officer
Richard Li: Project Manager
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