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https://thedriven.io/2026/08/12/the-solar-electric-car-designed-to-generate-more-energy-than-it-consumes/>
"A team of graduate students from Clemson University in South Carolina in the
US have designed a solar-integrated, energy-positive electric vehicle (EV)
prototype that has been designed to generate more energy than it consumes
during a typical day of urban commuting.
Developed as part of the university’s acclaimed Deep Orange program, where
graduate automotive engineering students design, engineer, and build a fully
functional prototype alongside industry partners, Deep Orange 17 was built in
collaboration with both BMW and Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
ISE.
Several companies have and are working out how to combine solar with EVs, but
the most prominent – Sono Motors – was finally wound up this year after filing
for insolvency in May of 2023 before it was brought back from the brink for a
second effort.
The company rebranded to Sono Solar and refocused towards vehicle manufacturers
and fleets, but the market and demand for integrating solar into vehicles has
never materialised.
Nissan has also unveiled a prototype version of its top-selling Sakura electric
vehicle (EV) that boasts an extendable roof-mounted solar system and a concept
version of its all-electric Ariya SUV with an integrated solar roof.
And just last month Nissan was announced as leading a £10 million UK
government-backed research project that aims to integrate efficient energy
technologies into EVs, including solar.
The Clemson University solar car admittedly looks a little like it was designed
for a cardboard box car derby, or a repeat of the
Flintstones movie. But Deep
Orange 17 is nevertheless built around a fully integrated solar energy system
that is a core part of the vehicle’s propulsion strategy – rather than just an
auxiliary feature.
More than 1,700 solar PV cells are integrated directly into the two-door
vehicle’s exterior surfaces, continuously replenishing the vehicle’s energy
storage."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
