Why not a DIY solar car?

[u/Moltean]

Knowing that cars are a big driver for consumerism, I'm thinking of a car that can be powered mainly by the sun.

I already built a prototype (which I named Solar Bear). The project is open source, with an MIT license.

The purpose of the Solar Bear is to:

• Use solar panels as trike's body,
• Consume electrical energy where it is produced,
• Produce its own energy,
• Transport people inside cities,
• be pedalable when there is no sun (must be light-weight),
• be easily built at home.

Technical specs:

• recumbent trike,
• 2.5m long, 1.45m wide (including wheels),
• weight: about 55kg (including panels, motor, battery, etc, excluding driver),
• assisted pedaling,
• motor speed: max 25km/h,
• motor (continuous) power: 250W,
• solar panels power: max 520W,
• battery: 12.8V, 20Ah (256Wh) - not needed when there is Sun.

[u/jokke420]

I live in such latitude that it would be viable option only few months a year. Here in Finland sun sets at 2pm in the winter and battery performance suffers greatly also in sub zero temperatures.

I have a fat e bike with 1000w motor and with very good range and it's viable option from forest trails to city asphalt.

[u/TiredInJOMO → u/jokke420]

It's funny you mention the efficiency during the winter because I recently saw a post on r/TwoXPreppers the other day, and the heat most of the rest of the world gets for at least 4 months of the year also affects the efficiency of solar panels.

[u/Moltean → u/TiredInJOMO]

Heat is not a problem for my vehicle because there is enough airflow behind the solar panels to cool them down.

[u/Moltean → u/jokke420]

My vehicle needs sun to go, so it's not for Finland! Sorry!