Dutch students have one Solar- Developed a car that produces more electricity than it consumes. The vehicle, named Stella Lux, has solar panels on the roof and should be fully charged and have enough energy for a range of 1.000 kilometers and a top speed of 125 km / h.
The panels of the 4,50 meter long solar car not only ensure movement, but also charge the integrated batteries. Excess energy is stored in this way. In order to reach a range of 1.000 kilometers, the students at TU Eindhoven also used particularly light materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum. And in order to be able to attach the numerous collectors, the roof of the Stella Lux was extended. For comparison: the Tesla Model S electric limousine has a range of around 450 kilometers.
At first glance, the Stella Lux looks unusual, almost like a rolling square. A special air tunnel on the underside of the vehicle ensures that the airstream has little surface to attack. It also thinks with you: Stella Lux uses a special energy management system to collect current weather data and provide suggestions for an optimal route. The vehicle also knows how much energy it still needs to get to its destination or home.
The student team had already won the “World Solar Challenge” solar car race in Australia in 2013, and now Stella Lux has been further optimized. Now the young scientists only need investors that they want to use crowdfunding.
Author: Adele Moser / SP-X