Formula 1 solar cars

2001/11/16 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Garraioak

In the coming days, Australia will host the most eco-friendly car race in the world. Darwin will host this weekend the 6th world race of solar cars. 43 solar cars will participate in this race of cars that does not generate just noise or smoke.

In this particular race organized to promote research and development of the use of solar energy, participants must travel 3,100 kilometers from the northern city of Darwin to Adelaide in southern Australia. Completing this tour in four days is the biggest challenge faced by this year's participants.

Several international research centres are involved in car preparation and, for example, eight students from Delft University in Amsterdam have had the support and technology of the European Space Agency to build their solar car. Nuna is a car that can reach 160 km/h using pure solar energy.

To make the vehicle lightweight and durable, several parts of the Nuna have been made from special plastics developed for spacecraft. The basic structure of the car is made of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber has been reinforced with Kevlar, making it the same material that is commonly used in satellites. Solar energy capture panels consist of cells developed for space. Overall, the Nuna is a car made thanks to space technology and it's no wonder you're among the favorites to win this year's race.