The University of Kentucky Solar Car Team ran some tests of Gato Del Sol III, its third solar panel-powered car, on Sunday in preparation for competition May 31 through June 5 at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas. The UK Team, comprised of students from several departments in the UK College of Engineering, will compete against teams from about 10 other colleges. The new model is powered by a combination of 480 solar panels and 168 lithium polymer batteries. Last summer, Kentucky successfully completed the North American Solar Car Challenge, a 2,400-mile race from Plano, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta.

(Photos by Matt Goins)

The Gato Del Sol III can reach speeds of 55 mph. The combined weight of car and driver is about 660 pounds.

The spartan cockpit of the solar-powered car includes a simple control panel.

Matt Goins

Clockwise from top left, Kassy Lum, team leader Mark Taylor, Nick Such, Masao Nonaka and Krishna Prayaga tended to Gato Del Sol III