Keywaylock
English
English Spanish Portuguese
MENU
  • Transportation
  • Truck
  • Suv
  • New Energy
  • Sedan
  • Minivan
  • Coupe
  • Hatchback
Home > New Energy > Tech Students Unveil Solar-Powered Camper/Tiny House

Tech Students Unveil Solar-Powered Camper/Tiny House

Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands has a well deserved reputation for cultivating bright, inquisitive students. Their latest success is named Stella Vita (“star life,” if you remember your high school Latin), a tiny house on wheels powered entirely by the sun.

It is was built by the 22 members of Solar Team Eindhoven, who intend to drive their creation to the southermost tip of Spain — a distance of over 2000 kilometers — to spark interest in solar-powered vehicles. The team previously created a solar-powered family car called Stella Lux that was energy-positive. “She could power other electric vehicles because she had so much energy left,” team member Ter Horst told Ars Technica. The creators of the new “self-sustaining house on wheels” are hoping their strange-looking project will help spark interest in solar vehicles.

That Stella Lux project lead to the idea of a home on wheels powered entirely by sunlight. The team started building Stella Vita in March and completed it just a few weeks ago. It has the teardrop shape popular with most solar-powered vehicles because they have excellent aerodynamics.

It can travel up to 730 kilometers on a sunny day, assuming none of the amenities built in to the vehicle are put to use. Charging the batteries can take up to 3 days depending on the amount of sunshine available. Stella Vita has solar panels on its roof and two panels with more solar panels that are stored inside which are extended when parked.

Inside, travelers will find all the comforts of home, including a bed, a small fridge, a toilet, a couch, and a small cooking area. Everything runs on solar power, including an infotainment system that informs drivers of their energy consumption so they can make decisions about their usage. “You have to choose how you use your energy. You don’t have endless energy,” Ter Horst said. Stella Vita can also be charged at any EV charging station.

Image courtesy of Eindhoven University of Technology

To showcase its creation, Solar Team Eindhoven will begin to drive the vehicle 3,000 kilometers from Eindhoven to the southern tip of Spain starting next week. They plan to introduce their creation at various fairs and universities along the way during their 4-week road trip.

According to Ter Horst, the vehicle could theoretically reach the market in five years, though the team did not produce the prototype with the goal of mass production in mind. Horst said “We have the technology to make these kinds of automobiles but consumers will need to warm up to the idea” of teardrop shaped vehicles.

Other solar cars coming soon to market (someday) include the Lightyear One and the Sion from Sonos. You can even buy a solar car cover for your EV to soak up some electrons while parked. As flexible solar panel technology improves, it is likely charging with solar power will become more common. Who wouldn’t want to harvest some free electrons from the sun while driving?

Appreciate CleanTechnica’s originality? Consider becoming a CleanTechnica Member, Supporter, Technician, or Ambassador — or a patron on Patreon.
Advertisement

Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
  • Keywaylock
  • 25/03/2023
  • 240 Views
Related Articles
Solar Rollers competition teaches Summit students how to build and race remote-controlled cars Support Local Journalism
Solar Rollers competition teaches Summit students how to build and race remote-controlled cars Support Local Journalism

10/04/2023 ,354 Views

A group of Summit High School students is getting ready to compete in the Solar Rollers competition, which brings together high school teams from across Colorado to build and race solar-powered, remot...

Tesla Model Pi Smartphone 2023 Release Date, Phone Price, Revealed!!! : Source Confirms it has Satellite Link?
Tesla Model Pi Smartphone 2023 Release Date, Phone Price, Revealed!!! : Source Confirms it has Satellite Link?

09/04/2023 ,272 Views

Yes, you read that correctly! Tesla may be developing the smartphone of the future. The image, which was obtained by user “GENIE,” reveals that Tesla will enter the fast-paced smartphone industry soon...

Local student to compete in John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition April 22-23
Local student to compete in John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition April 22-23

08/04/2023 ,222 Views

Eight student-led teams will vie for seed prize money to get their business plans off the ground in the John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition at the University of Wyoming.The competition...

Most Popular
  • SUV and Pickup Truck Drivers More Likely to Hit Pedestrians When Turning, IIHS Study Finds
  • Best Car Covers for 2022
  • 2023 BMW X7 Facelift Arrives With A New Look, Added Power
  • Sponsored Content Sponsored Content | Sponsored: The 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige Edition Minivan
  • Solar Rollers competition teaches Summit students how to build and race remote-controlled cars Support Local Journalism
  • Ford’s base $40,000 F-150 Lightning electric pickup gets 230-miles of EPA range and 68 MPGe Guides
  • James Ruppert: Bargain barnstormers that will take you anywhere
Back to Top

Copyright © 2023 keywaylock.net. All rights reserved.