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This Offroad Car Powered Only By Sun And Designed By Students Just Drove 620-miles Across Africa
Stella Terra solar offroad car designed by 22 students just drove 620-miles across Morocco and Sahara powered by sun.
Designer said its solar panel converter was 97% efficient in turning sunlight absorbed by their PV cells into electrical charge.
The 2-seat offroader it also comes with rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion battery, allowing it to operate in less sunny climates.
A two-seat Stella Terra solar car, designed by 22 students at the Eindhoven University of Technology, has successfully completed a 620-mile (1,000km) off-roading adventure in Morocco and the Sahara, all on the energy provided by the sun.
Weighing only 1,200kg (1.2 tonnes) and with a top speed of 145-kmph (about 90 mph), the car runs only on energy provided by multiple solar panels on its roof, which allowed a range of at least 440 miles (710km) on a sunny day.
During the week-and-a-half-long off-roading test, the car was powered only by sun, though it also comes with rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion battery, allowing it to operate in less sunny climates.
Wisse Bos, team manager of Solar Team Eindhoven, said the Stella’s solar panel converter was 97% efficient in turning sunlight absorbed by their PV cells into electrical charge.
“It was an incredible trip with a positive ending. Stella Terra’s efficiency was hard to predict. That’s why we weren’t sure if we would make it on solar power.
“During the ride, Stella Terra turned out to use 30 percent less energy than expected. We were able to drive the entire trip on the sun’s energy and did not depend on charging stations,’ explains Wisse Bos.
“We hope this can be an inspiration to car manufacturers such as Land Rover and BMW to make it a more sustainable industry. The car was actually very comfortable in the off-road conditions as it is very light and does not get stuck.”
