Engineering students from Eindhoven University of Technology have achieved a groundbreaking feat by designing and successfully test-driving Stella Terra, the world’s first fully solar-powered off-road SUV. This innovative vehicle has just completed an arduous 620-mile journey across Morocco and the Sahara desert without a single stop for recharging, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of eco-friendly transportation, The Guardian reported.
Stella Terra, a two-seater solar SUV, is a testament to cutting-edge technology and sustainable engineering. Weighing only 1.2 tonnes, this road-legal vehicle boasts a top speed of 90 miles per hour (145 km/h) and an impressive range of 440 miles on a sunny day. Designed and built by the Solar Team Eindhoven, the Stella Terra relies entirely on its integrated solar panels for power, making it a pioneer in solar-powered mobility.
Wisse Bos, the project’s team manager, emphasized the innovation behind Stella Terra. “Stella Terra must withstand the harsh conditions of off-roading while remaining efficient and light enough to be powered by the sun. That is why we had to design almost everything for Stella Terra ourselves, from the suspension to the inverters for the solar panels,” Bos explained.
The vehicle’s journey started on Morocco’s north coast in Tangier, traversing the rugged Rif mountains and the sandy expanse of the Sahara. The terrain tested the Stella Terra’s capabilities to the limit. The SUV’s lightweight construction and custom suspension proved advantageous, allowing it to handle poor surface conditions with ease.
One of the trip’s highlights was navigating the mountainous trails to Midelt, one of Morocco’s highest towns, before descending into the Sahara’s harsh and sandy tracks. Despite an early setback with the steering system, the team managed to repair the vehicle using locally available parts, showcasing the car’s resilience and the team’s resourcefulness.
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| Feature/Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Solar-powered off-road SUV |
| Design Team | Engineering students from Eindhoven University of Technology |
| Seating Capacity | Two-seater |
| Weight | 1.2 tonnes (1,200 kg) |
| Top Speed | 90 miles per hour (145 km/h) |
| Range on Sunny Day | 440 miles (630 km) |
| Range in Cloudy Conditions | Reduced by 50 km |
| Journey Distance | 620 miles (1,000 km) |
| Journey Route | From Tangier (Morocco’s north coast) to the Sahara Desert via the Rif mountains |
| Power Source | Solar panels on the vehicle’s roof |
| Key Innovation | Custom-built converter with 97% efficiency in converting solar energy to electricity |
| Special Features | – Extendable solar panels for maximum charging |
| – Convertible seats for bed | |
| – Solar energy sufficient for cooking meals and charging devices | |
| Construction Materials | Lightweight chassis and custom suspension components |
| Test Drive Duration | 3 days |
| Primary Challenge Overcome | Steering system failure fixed with locally available parts |
| Team’s Goal | To inspire automakers to create more charging-infrastructure independent vehicles |
| Historical Context | Previously built a solar-powered campervan for a 1,242-mile trip in 2021 |
| Comparison to Traditional SUVs | – 25% lighter than an average SUV |
| – Smaller battery due to on-the-go solar charging capability | |
| Additional Use Case | Functions as a small campervan with energy for cooking and device charging |
| Project Manager | Wisse Bos |
Stella Terra’s performance exceeded expectations, using 30% less energy than predicted. This efficiency is partly due to a custom-built converter that achieved 97% efficiency in transforming solar energy into electricity. The solar panels on the car’s roof can be extended when stationary, maximizing energy capture and doubling as a shade cover. The vehicle’s ability to function as a small campervan, with seats that can flatten into a bed and sufficient solar power to cook a meal or charge devices, adds to its versatility.
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The success of Stella Terra’s test drive across challenging terrain is more than just a technological achievement; it is a vision of what sustainable transportation could look like. The Solar Team Eindhoven’s accomplishment is a bold statement to traditional automakers about the potential of solar-powered vehicles. As Bos pointed out, “The achievement should inspire legacy car makers to become bolder with their vision of eco-friendly vehicles.”
Stella Terra is not an isolated innovation. The Solar Team Eindhoven has a history of developing solar-powered vehicles, including a solar-powered campervan that completed a 1,242-mile road trip in 2021. These projects highlight the team’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with renewable energy.
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While Stella Terra is a remarkable prototype, the path to commercial viability for solar-powered cars is fraught with challenges. The high costs of photovoltaic technology, limited energy conversion efficiency, and the intermittent nature of sunlight have historically hindered widespread adoption. However, recent developments suggest a changing tide. Startups like Lightyear, another Eindhoven University of Technology spin-off, are making strides with new, more affordable solar cars.
The journey of Stella Terra across Morocco and the Sahara is a powerful demonstration of the potential for solar-powered vehicles to transform transportation, especially in regions with limited charging infrastructure. It remains to be seen how quickly these innovations can be brought to market and scaled, but the future looks promising for solar mobility.
