CalSol’s Zephyr wins 2017 Formula Sun Grand Prix

Zephyr, the solar vehicle built by UC Berkeley’s CalSol team (including sophomore Wen Rui Liau, one of Prof. James Demmel’s research students), has won the 2017 Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP).  The FSGP is an annual nationwide solar vehicle race that takes place on closed-loop race tracks. From July 6-8, in Austin, Texas, competing teams tested the limits of their vehicles in handling curves, braking, and acceleration.  The winner, determined by the total number of laps completed–minus penalties–over three days of racing, was Zephyr with 228 laps completed and zero penalties.