Solar Power Takes The Wheel: Student-Built SUV Demonstrates Feasibility Of Renewable Energy in Transportation

The rapid market share growth of electric vehicles (EVs) confronts several obstacles, including limited charging infrastructure and the environmental costs associated with production and power generation. A group of university students is proposing a dynamic solution to some of these roadblocks with Stella Terra, a capable solar-powered SUV. 

With solar-powered vehicles estimated to create a more than $46 billion market by 2031, the creators of Stella Terra and other design teams anticipate strong demand for their breakthrough innovations. 

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Built By University Students

Designed and constructed by a group of students from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) called Solar Team Eindhoven, the Stella Terra is an off-road solar-powered car that operates over multiple types of terrain. It aims to bridge the connectivity gap in remote areas with underdeveloped roads and unreliable energy grids. It also serves as a concept and challenge for automakers, researchers and other groups to develop solar and battery technology innovations that can support solar-powered transportation. 

The Stella Terra project recently performed a test drive in Morocco, covering over 1,000 kilometers on a journey from the country's northern coast to the southern Sahara Desert. The vehicle traversed many terrains, highlighting its versatility to navigate Morocco's diverse geography, which ranges from coastal areas to the arid Sahara. 

Stella Terra performs well on the trail and highway. With a top speed of 145 kilometers (90 miles) per hour, it combines power and eco-friendliness. On sunny days, its solar-powered battery boasts a range of approximately 710 kilometers (441 miles) on roads and 550 kilometers (342 miles) off-road, depending on the surface. Even on cloudy days, it's estimated to cover significant distances because solar panels still pull in power. 

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Stella Terra weighs 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds), which is approximately 25% less than a similar-sized SUV. The vehicle's sleek and aerodynamic design reduces weight as does the use of lighter composite materials designed for strength and improved performance. The integrated solar panels enable Stella Terra to operate with a smaller and lighter battery because it charges while the vehicle is in motion. 

Solar Team Eindhoven entered a partnership with coatings and paint company PPG Industries that includes a $37,000 grant and the use of PPG's CORACHAR™ fire protection coating to protect the vehicle’s lithium (Li)-ion battery pack. 

Similar to the team behind Stella Terra, Paleblue is a startup company improving sustainability through innovation. The company creates efficient USB-rechargeable lithium batteries that provide up to 1,000 uses and reduce the massive waste of single-use batteries. 

Comfortable And Capable

Stella Terra's team did not neglect "form" as it pursued optimal functionality. It offers a roomy and comfortable interior designed for long-distance journeys, with fully reclining seats that can create a bedlike sleeping arrangement. When stationary, the solar panels extend to offer shade and simultaneously maximize solar charging. This dual-purpose use ensures that the vehicle is well-equipped for extended trips and has a proof-of-concept as a usable vehicle, not just an engineering marvel.

The vehicle's solar panel converters, developed by the student team, promise potential benefits to the broader solar industry. The technology opens up possibilities for renewable energy in various sectors, especially those in remote settings where traditional fuel transportation or charging infrastructure is prohibitively expensive. 

In the past, alumni from TU/e's solar program introduced Lightyear, a company aiming to produce solar panel-fitted cars. Although Lightyear encountered financial challenges, it highlights the transition toward more sustainable transportation and the typical innovation pathway that sees some early firms fail but pave the way for future innovation. 

The Stella Terra team hopes its solar-powered SUV will inspire automotive makers to accelerate their innovation and sustainability efforts and consider solar power as a complement to the shift toward electric vehicles.

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