Engineering students from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have unveiled a groundbreaking creation, the “Stella Terra” – the world’s first off-road vehicle solely powered by solar energy. This remarkable feat is poised to revolutionize sustainable transportation, offering an eco-friendly solution for traversing rough terrain without reliance on traditional charging infrastructure.
The Solar Team Eindhoven, the visionary minds behind Stella Terra, proudly announced that their creation is not only road-legal but entirely self-sufficient, eliminating the need for conventional charging stations. Sporting impressive specifications, this solar-powered marvel boasts a top speed of 145 kilometers per hour, a weight of 1,200 kilograms, and an astonishing maximum range of 630 kilometers on a sunny day, all thanks to the energy harvested from rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels.
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Wisse Bos, the team manager of this innovative student group, shed light on the formidable challenges faced during Stella Terra’s development. “Stella Terra must endure the demanding rigors of off-road terrain while maintaining efficiency and a lightweight design suitable for solar power. This compelled us to engineer nearly every aspect of Stella Terra ourselves, from the suspension to the inverters used for the solar panels.”
Bos further emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of Stella Terra, asserting that it stands five to ten years ahead of the current market. “We are pushing the boundaries of technology. With Stella Terra, we want to demonstrate that the transition to a sustainable future offers reasons for optimism and encourages individuals and companies to accelerate the energy transition.”
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Stella Terra has undergone extensive testing in the Netherlands, but the variety of landscapes in the region is limited. To further showcase its capabilities, the team is preparing to embark on a journey to Morocco this October. There, the solar-powered vehicle will cover nearly a thousand kilometers through diverse landscapes, culminating its journey in the Sahara desert, all powered by the sun.
Solar Team Eindhoven has established a tradition of crafting innovative, efficient solar-powered vehicles every two years. The team’s prior achievements include clinching victory in the World Solar Challenge in Australia four consecutive times, competing in the family car class (Cruiser Class). In 2021, the team made headlines worldwide by constructing a solar-powered campervan, Stella Vita, and embarking on a journey to the southernmost point of Europe, further cementing their legacy as pioneers in sustainable transportation.
