On the Sochi track presented Russian santamobile SOL

21 June 2018

The car is driven only by energy from the sun

When discussing electric cars, many wonder why manufacturers do not install their roof solar panels. Science fiction has long painted bright Outlook, according to which the electric machine does not need to charge from the wall outlet. While such vehicles exist only in mind projects like SOL. The latest development of the Russian team Polytech Solar Team was represented on the track "Sochi Circuit".

Team Solar Team Polytech was established in the spring of 2016 on the basis of Youth design-technological Bureau of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Peter the Great. She has already received the support of the Ministry of industry and trade of Russia and "Kaspersky Lab".

a "the Project aims to ensure that students-graduate students improved their professional competence. The car was designed to participate in the competition. Form is called "catamaran", a very good aerodynamics in this form", — journalists the head of the Polytech Solar Team Eugene Zagrebaev.

According to the developers, on a full charge with good weather takes about six to seven hours. Also, SOL can be charged while riding. Russian santamobile can accelerate to 120 km/h. the Unusual shape of the vehicle is dictated by two factors: the reduction of aerodynamic drag and weight, as well as an increase in the area of the upper panels. The prototype is equipped with solar panels with an area of four square meters. The body is made of composite material.

While SOL is only for participation in sports competitions. He will pass the first stage of the American Solar Challenge competition. The race will take place from 14 to 22 July. It is assumed that during this time the car will be about three thousand miles on public roads in four States. In General, in competitions will take part about 30 commands.

Representatives from Polytech Solar Team are confident that future developments in this area will be able to use in everyday life. While solar panels are too expensive and inefficient for full-fledged cars.

In the world there are single version of the serial machines with the option in the form of solar panels, for example, some versions of the Toyota Prius and Karma Revero Prime. In reality, the energy generated by the solar cells, only enough to ensure the operation of the air conditioning system.

Even the engineers of Panasonic, one of the leaders in this industry, I believe that at best will be able to compensate up to 10% of the energy spent by the electric vehicle during movement. And in this case, if the machine spend all day on the street, and the sun will fry in California! However, optimists believe that in the foreseeable future due to the increase in efficiency will be able to increase collection of electricity: it will last approximately 10 kilometers per day. But in this case, the calculations are based on favorable climate.