The concept of environmental sustainability has evolved over the years, and has come to adapt many varying definitions. Nevertheless, all the varying concepts of sustainability incorporate one key element: that society needs to carefully rethink our relationship with nature and natural systems in order to evaluate and make choices that reflects the responsibility of our understanding. The sight of a solar car does just that.

Solar cars and solar racing are excellent examples of environmental sustainability. The cruising speed of a solar car is entirely determined by the natural environment. The power to propel these vehicles comes from a virtually endless renewable source, the sun, and produces zero emissions.

Powering a vehicle to travel at highway speeds using ~1200 watts challenges designers to rethink convention, in particular the idea of design functionality first, then find the power source to fit it later. Rather, given a constraint in energy, can the design still meet its functional requirements? Critical exploration of this and many other important questions will be at the core of our alternative energy future. Experiencing a solar car challenges people to imagine the possibilities of solar energy, and rethink how we as a society use energy.