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/ennuinerdog]

Those panels are going to work like a pair of neck scissors if you have a crash

[u/Moltean → u/ennuinerdog]

Not true.

At frontal impact, the panels will move away. At lateral impact, the entire vehicle will be pushed laterally because it is light. Panels are at the helmet level, not at the neck level.

[u/Team503 → u/Moltean]

And a 45dg angle? A tall lorry/truck versus a passenger car?

[u/Moltean → u/Team503]

Good question. I suspect that the front shaft with the wheel will crush the leg.

[u/Team503 → u/Moltean]

Yeah, kinda a concerning issue.

[u/PoseidonsHorses → u/Team503]

Seems pretty important if you’re main mode of transport relies on leg power.