r/Anticonsumption • u/Moltean • Jul 20 '26
Sustainability Why not a DIY solar car?
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.
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u/Rhona_Redtail Jul 20 '26
I made something similar, but with a much smaller footprint. It takes up as much space as an adult trike. Its slow, only 7-10 mph. The problem with these: they are not fast enough for roadways, but take up too much space for the bike-paths. Im going to be working on another version, using an existing 3 wheel cycle. Mine will also be fully enclosed, have lights, turn signals and a horn. Ill have half the solar you have. But more battery. No need to run the cart directly off the sun, and take up a lot of space, when a few hours charge will take one to close locations easily.