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Sun Shines on Students at Solar Go-Kart Races

Monday, Apr 07 2014

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Solar in the News

10 News Florida

Geraghty Anne Ellis is 15 and doesn't yet possess a driver's license, but Saturday she was zipping around FGCU's campus with no fear of being pulled over by police.

Ellis drove Bishop Verot High School's solar go-kart like an experienced driver, likely because she's been involved in autocross racing for the past year. Saturday's competition, though, featured 11 high schools from across South Florida using nothing but solar energy to race around FGCU'S 2-mile campus loop.

"I didn't think it would be able to go as fast as it did," Ellis said.

Reaching speeds up to 30 mph, teams competed in a two-lap speed race and four-lap relay race. It's the second time FGCU sponsored the races, and this time the university created extra solar-themed exercises for elementary and middle school students.