Driver controls and mechanical systems of solar cars include steering, brakes, suspension, wheels. Solar arrays collect energy from the sun which is converted to electrical energy and sent to motor controllers and motors. Bodies and chassis are designed to minimize drag and maximize exposure to sunlight while being lightweight and safe. Materials used include composites of fibers and fillers bonded with epoxy resins. Solar vehicles could allow free and unlimited travel if challenges of harnessing solar energy can be overcome.

1. AA
Technical SeminarTechnical Seminar
OnOn
SOLAR CARSOLAR CAR
SYNERGY INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY , DHENKANAL
Submitted By:-
VIMAL SHARMA
Roll No.:- ME-13-62
Regd. No.:- 1301230247
Submitted To:-
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

2. An Overview on Solar Vehicle :-An Overview on Solar Vehicle :-
 Its powered by Sun’s energy.Its powered by Sun’s energy.
 Solar array collects the energy from the Sun andSolar array collects the energy from the Sun and
converts it into usable electrical energy.converts it into usable electrical energy.
 Power trackers convert it into the required voltage.Power trackers convert it into the required voltage.
 Motor controller sends power to the motor.Motor controller sends power to the motor.
 Divided into three categories :-Divided into three categories :-
• Driver Controls & Mechanical SystemsDriver Controls & Mechanical Systems
• Solar ArraySolar Array
• Body and ChassisBody and Chassis

3. Borealis III , racing with the Sun
-A Photo taken by Colin Burnett

4. DRIVER CONTROLS &DRIVER CONTROLS &
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS :-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS :-
Standard features :-Standard features :-
 SteeringSteering
• Precise steering alignmentPrecise steering alignment
• SUNRUNNER utilized a rack and pinion systemSUNRUNNER utilized a rack and pinion system
that was attached to the steering arms by means ofthat was attached to the steering arms by means of
tie rodstie rods
 BrakeBrake
• Designed to move freely by eliminating brake dragDesigned to move freely by eliminating brake drag
• Hydraulic disc brakesHydraulic disc brakes
• Regenerative brakingRegenerative braking

5.  SuspensionSuspension
• front suspension- MacPhearson struts or double a armsfront suspension- MacPhearson struts or double a arms
• MacPhearson strut requires a large vertical clearanceMacPhearson strut requires a large vertical clearance
• Double A arms require less vertical clearance, butDouble A arms require less vertical clearance, but
consist of more componentsconsist of more components
• Rear suspensionRear suspension is a trailing arm, similar to that inis a trailing arm, similar to that in
motor cyclesmotor cycles
 WheelsWheels
• rolling resistancerolling resistance
• three or four wheelsthree or four wheels
• wheel designs are similar to those of bicycle tireswheel designs are similar to those of bicycle tires

6.  Peak Power TrackersPeak Power Trackers
• maximize the powermaximize the power
• protect the batteries from being damaged byprotect the batteries from being damaged by
overchargingovercharging
• efficiencies above 95%efficiencies above 95%
 Motor ControllersMotor Controllers
• decides how much current actually reaches the motordecides how much current actually reaches the motor
• up to 90% efficientup to 90% efficient

7. Energy Flow Diagram of a Solar Car

8. SOLAR ARRAYSOLAR ARRAY
 Its made from silicon, byIts made from silicon, by
joining an n-type and a p-joining an n-type and a p-
type semiconductor.type semiconductor.
 Its grouped into space gradeIts grouped into space grade
and terrestrial gradeand terrestrial grade
categories .categories .
 EncapsulationEncapsulation
 ArrayArray
 SUNRUNNER'S arraySUNRUNNER'S array
consisted of 14,057 razor-consisted of 14,057 razor-
blade sized, 16% efficientblade sized, 16% efficient
space grade cells.space grade cells.

9. LIMITATIONS :-LIMITATIONS :-
• Only 1000 W/m2 of energy reaches the earth’s surfaceOnly 1000 W/m2 of energy reaches the earth’s surface
in an hour of “peak sun” .in an hour of “peak sun” .
• Average solar array configuration spans 8m² .Average solar array configuration spans 8m² .
• Average solar cells are only able to convert 12% toAverage solar cells are only able to convert 12% to
18% to electricity.18% to electricity.
• The total amount of converted energy available to a carThe total amount of converted energy available to a car
consists of 700-1500 Watts .consists of 700-1500 Watts .
• Three primary areas of energy loss consist ofThree primary areas of energy loss consist of
aerodynamic drag, braking, and rolling resistanceaerodynamic drag, braking, and rolling resistance ..

10. BODY & CHASSISBODY & CHASSIS
 Goals :-Goals :-
• Its minimizes theIts minimizes the
aerodynamic drag.aerodynamic drag.
• Its maximizes theIts maximizes the
exposure to solarexposure to solar
insolation .insolation .
• Its minimizes weight.Its minimizes weight.
• Its maximizes safety.Its maximizes safety.

11.  Body ShapesBody Shapes
• Unified aero body and panelUnified aero body and panel
• Fixed or tilting, flat panels with a separate driver cabFixed or tilting, flat panels with a separate driver cab
• Catamaran shapeCatamaran shape
• uniquely designed shapeuniquely designed shape
 MAIZE & BLUE and SUNRUNNER are catamaranMAIZE & BLUE and SUNRUNNER are catamaran
shaped.shaped.

12.  ChassisChassis
• space framespace frame
• welded tube structure to support the loads and the bodywelded tube structure to support the loads and the body
• body is a lightweight, non-load bearing, composite shellbody is a lightweight, non-load bearing, composite shell
• Semi - monocoque or carbon beamSemi - monocoque or carbon beam
• composite beams and bulkheads to support the loadscomposite beams and bulkheads to support the loads
• integrated into a non-load bearing composite belly panintegrated into a non-load bearing composite belly pan
• monocoquemonocoque
• uses the body structure to support the loadsuses the body structure to support the loads

13. MATERIALS USEDMATERIALS USED
 composite materialcomposite material
 combination of a filler material sandwiched betweencombination of a filler material sandwiched between
layers of a structural materiallayers of a structural material
 structural materialsstructural materials
• Carbon fibre, Kevlar and fibre glassCarbon fibre, Kevlar and fibre glass
 filler materialsfiller materials
• Honeycomb and foamHoneycomb and foam
 bonded together using epoxy resinsbonded together using epoxy resins

14. CONCLUSION :-CONCLUSION :-
 Solar energy and more specifically solar vehicle wouldSolar energy and more specifically solar vehicle would
be an amazing advancement in future vehiclebe an amazing advancement in future vehicle
technology. They would allow for free travel andtechnology. They would allow for free travel and
nearly unlimited accessibility. Time will tell if all thenearly unlimited accessibility. Time will tell if all the
problems associated with harnessing the world’s oldestproblems associated with harnessing the world’s oldest
energy source can be dealt with. If the hurdles can beenergy source can be dealt with. If the hurdles can be
passed then for surepassed then for sure solar vehiclesolar vehicle will be the wave ofwill be the wave of
the future.the future.

15. THANK YOUTHANK YOU