Team Mercury to Compete in Formula Sun Grand Prix

Illinois State University's Team Mercury will race its student-built, solar-powered vehicle, Mercury III, in the Formula Sun Grand Prix track race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 2-7.  The closed track race will feature solar car teams from universities across the United States.

Vehicles entered in the Formula Sun Grand Prix must be powered solely by sunshine, using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity.  The event will begin with two days of pre-race "scrutineering" by Formula Sun officials to determine that all solar-powered vehicles meet race criteria and safety requirements. The actual competition will be held May 5-7.  The team that completes the most laps during that time will be declared the event winner.

There are around a dozen students on the co-ed Team Mercury. They, along with faculty advisors George Rutherford and Jim Dunham of Illinois State's Physics Department, will travel to the race in Indianapolis.  Illinois State student teams have participated in solar-powered vehicle competitions since 2005.

Mercury III's array of photovoltaic cells covers the car's top surface and provides energy to an electric motor that moves the nearly 700 pound vehicle (combined weight of car and driver) at an average cruising speed of around 45 mph. The photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity that is stored in batteries. Support for the project comes from Illinois State University and from a variety of corporate and private sponsors who have donated money, equipment, materials and other in-kind gifts.