Sikat Solar Powered Car Warms NWU
Not even the heat of the sun prevented spectators from taking a glimpse of a space craft-like solar car in motion at the University Oval.
Sikat (which means sunrise in English), the country's second solar car, headed through the Laoag City proper and made a historical stop at the Northwestern University last February 23 as the 2 month road-show drew to a close. Its visit aimed to promote the use of renewable energy and to prepare the team for the 2011 World Solar Challenge.
Sikat was designed as a single-seater race car with three wheels and is powered by solar radiation. Sikat is expected to run at about 80 kph. If battery charge is utilized, the car can run up to 110 kph. The car can travel for 400 km. running from battery power alone.
Dr. Lori Marseli de Castro, SVPAA, and De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU) Electrical and Communications Engr. Jack Catalan, Sikat Assistant Project Leader, officially opened the exhibition, by announcing NWU as one of the partners of Sikat in the 2011 World Solar Challenge. Students, employees, university officials and other secondary institutions of Ilocos Norte had a chance to interview the Philippine Solar Car Challenge Society (PSCS) representatives and DLSU Team and take a glimpse of the ingenious car displayed at the Student Center.
Engr. Catalan said that NWU was chosen as the venue upon the suggestion of the DLSU-College of Engineering Dean and the consultation with the PSCS. "Ang NWU ay merong clout within this particular area (science and technology) kaya ito ang napili namin," Catalan said.
Meanwhile, a Sikat Module Presentation by the DLSU Technical Team took center stage at the University New Media Hall. The presentation informed the spectators of the significance of solar energy, the history of the design and mechanics of the Sikat car. An open forum highlighted the event.
Like the first solar car Sinag (which means rays of the sun in English), Sikat was designed and constructed by a group of faculty and students from the Mechanical Engineering and the Electronics and Communications Engineering Departments of DLSU-Manila, in partnership with the PSCS, Inc. Sikat sponsors include First Gen, Ford Philippines, Motolite, Pilipinas Shell, SunPower, Adphoto, Air 21, Alternergy, Isla Lipana, MTV Philippines., SM Supermalls, Tan Yan Kee Foundation, U-Freight, U92 and World Wildlife Fund.