University of Michigan students put solar vehicle on display in University Circle

CLEVELAND - National championship hardware from the University of Michigan was on display in Ohio State Buckeye country Wednesday evening.

The hardware displayed did not involve a trophy, but rather included rubber wheels and solar panels.

Members of the student-run, Michigan Wolverine solar car team had their national title-winning 2009 solar car on exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History as part of the university's alumni activities.

The vehicle took two years to build, weighed 520 pounds and had 2,300 solar cells attached to the body to power the vehicle.

"Ultimately, everything on the car is focused at efficiency, so you want to have the most efficient vehicle possible so that the limited amount of energy we can get from the sun can help us to travel as fast as possible," said student-project manager Rachel Kramer.

The team is not content and has gone back to the drawing board to keep their winning ways going.

They have built a new solar car that is even lighter and more aerodynamic than the 2009 model.  The 2011 vehicle weighs only 320 pounds and can drive at a top speed of 105 mph.

Their goal is to be the best in the world.

In October, the team will participate in the 1,800-mile World Solar Challenge across the Australian Outback.