Ridiculousness of World Solar Challenge 2021 Regulations

 

Dimensions and Maximum Solar Panels allowed
Thanks to Free3D https://free3d.com/3d-models/car site and contributors of free 3D models of this town, tree and people. Dennis and Ayla provide some feeling of dimensions of the Transparent SUV which is restricted by the World Solar Challenge 2021.

The solar panels are sized 1.5 m x 0. 8 m, or 1.2 sq. m so 5 of them have exceeded the maximum solar panel area allowed. The maximum height is 1.6 m , including ground clearance. You can see from the design that the Tesla Model S wheel easily provides 0.3 m ground clearance, It can rise further easily. Good for tilting the solar panels for maximum efficiency.

Dennis is 1.8 m tall, not that tall for many people. Dennis will find it crammed sitting inside this car. Notice the large areas at the sides of the car where solar panels can still be installed. My son commented that this car is ugly because it allows people to see the drivers and passengers. If you install solar panels at the side, visibility will be much less, and we can get more energy collecting sunlight.

The maximum energy that can be collected is the top view surface area of this SUV, which is 1.7 m x 4.5 m. We can put more than this at the sides so that we can achieve the theoretical maximum solar energy that can be collected, without any need for tilting. Tilting is dangerous but during the Solar Challenge, there are 2 control cars following it so it is very safe. Maximum speed is also restricted to less than 120 km to save energy.



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