Since 2000, Sharp had been developing a high-efficiency compound solar cell, mostly used to power space satellites. In 2009, these innovative “triple junction” solar cells were ready to come down to Earth. When the Tokai team installed some of the world’s most efficient solar cells into a race car, the jump in power was like going from a traditional engine to a fuel-injection system. “It was a lot faster than I expected,” says Shinozuka. “The power was enormous.”

Competing against some of the world’s best, the Tokai team – using Sharp’s compound solar cells -- had the only car that averaged more than 100 kilometers per hour. “They gave a very impressive performance,” Shinozuka says of Sharp’s solar panels. “It was a surprise to me to find out that you could drive 100 kilometers per hour for 3,000 kilometers with no emissions,” he says.

After the race, Shinozuka spoke at a Japanese Eco-Products fair, to showcase the winning solar car and highlight Sharp’s 50 years of solar technology innovation. He also talked about his three personal dreams, which became more real to him after feeling the power of a sun-powered race car. His first dream is to race on every continent that hosts a solar car rally. He completed one in South Africa in 2008, and plans to race in the United States in 2010. The second is to race in the Paris-Dakar rally in a solar-powered car. His biggest dream, however, is to see solar-powered cars available to the general public. “It’s wonderful to be able to work towards your dreams and wonderful to achieve them,” he says. “I hope this dream can be achieved in my lifetime.”

He believes that the challenge to tap the sun’s true potential is achievable, and Sharp will continue to fulfill the world’s dream of more reliable, lighter, and more efficient solar technology. If the direction that Sharp has been heading is any indication, he will probably see all his dreams come true.