The Power of One Solar Car Project
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 04.24.06
Marcelo da Luz isn’t an engineer or a millionaire. He’s a flight attendant from Toronto. But, in keeping with his last name, his dream has been to build a solar car and pilot it across Canada to set a world distance record. After years of work and a shoestring budget, his craft is almost ready. The XOF1 (Power of One) solar car project has been the work of da Luz and a pieced-together team of engineers, students, scientists and sponsors. He’s received no government funding for the project but has nonetheless managed to create a one-person, fully solar powered car that weighs less than 70 pounds. Marcelo da Luz recalls asking his elementary school teacher “why adults pollute.” His teacher told him that it’s the price of progress. :: XOF1 (thanks to Lynnette for the tip)
something I was thinking about the other day.. solar power cars will not be effective for sometime but what about cars who's air conditioners are powered by solar? Hybrids assisted by solar? it might not be cost effective though
Well, Mike, I am not entirely convinced that solar power cars can't be effective. I've been assisting a professor of mine in building the latest in a line of solar cars he's been building for the past 30 years. These vehicles are small, light, and entirely solar powered (I'm trying to convince him that plug-in has its place as well) entirely street-legal and capable of hauling two passengers and they cost only a few thousand per build. The experience, however, is entirely different from traditional American ICE motoring and the main impediment isn't the technology, but the mindset.
do you have a number i can call you? or some literature on the car?
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I work from home, most of my trip are only to eat, the grocery store and short trips ( 1 to 2 miles ). I walk on nice days with my dog, but some days I do not have time, or the weather is bad. Is there a car I can buy that costs under $20,000 that is 100% solar? All I need to go is 25 or 30 miles an hour, and go a few miles.
I do not know if this matters, but I could put panels on the car port of my complex, (continous roof top for over 200 feet if needed), and I would be willing to be pay more to not use gas.
I have seen solar cars do 80 miles an hour for thousands of miles, so I know it can be done, but price is the issue.
Is there a company that sells solar cars of any kind? If not I cant belive it. I want to start it if I ddnt already own a software company.
i love treeHuggers!!!!!!!!!
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kyle is green
So, he is aiming for Inuvik and he is worried about how rough the gravel road is.
Having lived and driven in the territories for eight years I don't think the rough will be the worst part.
Being a solar vehicle I am sure he is using high pressure bicycle tires. I hope he has lots of spares because they use crushed rock.. not really gravel.. it is very sharp.
Next, his real hazard, heavy trucks. With pilot cars and signage he may slow some of them down, but any that have to pass him ( most of the semis travel well over 100 km/hr ) will shower him in that some " gravel ". I don't know how well the solar panels will survive but there aren't many cars without multiple cracks and rock chips.
And finnally it looks pretty light weight.. and
I think the gust of wind from those semis will leave him spinning like a peice of paper.
All the luck to him but I don't think it will be an uneventful drive.
I applaud the effort Marcelo da Luz is making. I don't see a future of a solely solar powered vehicle. In working with electric vehicles for more than 10 years I can tell you that electric vehicles that are charged by a solar panel exterior is in our near future. Research needs to be invested heavily into battery capacitance for this to happen. Once this is accomplished then home and transportation will benefit from solar charging. Please contact your leaders and urge them to support funding for limitless free transportation.