London to Cape Town in a vehicle powered by Solar
OvelandintheSun, from London to Cape Town in a Landcruiser partially powered by Solar electricity raising money for the charity SolarAid.
- (1888PressRelease) October 29, 2010 - After 347 days, 20 travelling companions, 27,000 miles, 16 countries, 14 punctures, 4000 hours of sunshine generating 750kWhr of solar electricity, Gwyn Roberts finally made it to Cape Town and completed his OverlandintheSun London to Cape Town adventure.
The first 24,000 miles (to Mozambique) were completed in a 21 year old Landcruiser which Gwyn converted to use solar electricity. Raising money and profile for SolarAid, the journey was followed by thousands, all over the world on his website, Facebook, Twitter and media articles including NTV Kenya, MBC Malawi, Orange UK and the Guardian newspaper in the UK. People have watched the journey unfold as it happens, experiencing the unparalleled friendship, generosity and hospitality of the African people Gwyn met. It has also been a great opportunity to show people across the continent how SolarAid can help to empower Africans living in poverty.
Gwyn experienced many enduring and challenging, but often rewarding situations, including nine punctures over 130 miles in northern Ethiopia, being self-sufficient for six days while travelling through the harsh conditions of Turkana in Kenya and Ethiopia, and having to visit a police station three times in one day in eastern Sudan. In rural northern Mozambique Gwyn was stuck for three weeks with a broken gearbox. Sadly, this signalled the end of the Landcruiser's journey.
Not only was the Landcruiser transport and home to Gwyn, it was also a photovoltaic solar power station. More than simply powering laptops, mobile phones, lights, cameras and boiling water; the solar electricity powered the car's cooling fan, power steering, stereo and lights normally powered by the engine's drive belts. Consequently, fuel consumption was improved by approximately two miles per gallon, saving over 560 litres of diesel (the equivalent CO2 of a return flight from London to Johannesburg).
The sun certainly shone brightly over Gwyn in Africa. To learn more about the trip please visit www.overlandinthesun.com
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