Solar car sets speed record

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: A solar car designed by Australian students achieved top speed of 88 kmph - the fastest in its category.

Designed and built by students of the University of New South Wales, the car smashed the world solar car speed record of 79 kmph at the HMAS Albatross navy base airstrip in Nowra, Australia.

Named Sunswift IVy, it normally uses its cells to charge a 25 kg battery, but this was removed for the record attempt, according to a statement.

"The Guinness World Book of Records adjudicators were on hand, so it's all official. We've even been handed our certificate," Sunswift project manager Daniel Friedman said.

Friedman said the team was excited that the car performed so well.

"We were expecting to get our peak sun at noon, so the fact we broke the record so early was a great result.

"We hope the news will spur a lot more interest in solar energy and the debate about renewable energy technology," he said.

IVy produces about 1,200 watts of power - the same energy required to run a toaster.