Students Created Solar Powered CAR | Students building and racing solar-powered miniature cars

A group of university students have created a car that runs on solar power.

A team from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia are working hard to perfect the vehicle, which is able to travel more than 100 km/h.

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They wrote on their website: "For 2017, the Sunswift team is ready to tackle greater challenges through the manufacture of our new car VIolet. With Violet, the Sunswift team has promeinntly focused on showcasing the potential of solar technology through the manufacture of a much larger, yet practical four-seater vehicle.

"In comparison to our previous vehicles, the design of Violet is intended to enhance much greater levels of comfort and practicality through features such as four doors and seats, front and rear boot space, reverse camera and parking sensors, interactive interior display screen with GPS, air conditioning and many more features."

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The team were originally building their solar vehicle to complete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

They added: "Since the founding, knowledge and experience from past Sunswift members have been passed onto the newer recruits year by year, resulting in improved design, manufacturing techniques, as well as material efficiency. In addition, team management structures have also vastly improved through those experiences. This has resulted in the continuous development of our vehicles, with the next generation surpassing the previous one in all aspects, whether it be in cost, technical performance, practicality or aesthetics.

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"Originally, Sunswift vehicles were performance oriented, built to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge challenger class in addition to only seating one or two individuals. Whilst this allowed the team to break multiple world records with Sunswift III and IVy and push the boundaries on efficiency and performance, these vehicles did not have the potential to be commercialised and used as an everyday vehicles."

Students building and racing solar-powered miniature cars

West Australian school children are learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by building and racing miniature solar cars.

Power retailer Synergy provided more than 60 schools with solar panel kits to create race cars to compete on a custom-made, 20-metre race track at Kings Parks in Perth.

The Science Teachers' Association of WA and Synergy teamed up with schools across the state to engage students in science and technology through the competition.

STAWA CEO John Clarke said the aim was to encourage students to think about science, technology, and renewable energies.

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"We're really excited, we are really about encouraging kids to think about the practical applications of science and technology — this is the future and we want these guys to be at the front of that," he said.

The competition involved more than 500 students from 60 schools competing in heats held last month, with the finals being held this week.

Year 8 student Kayla Gent from Duncraig Senior High School said building the solar panels encouraged students to think differently about science.

"I think it's really cool learning about this in our society with our non-renewable resources running out — this could be our future — I think it's really good that kids are getting to learn about this," she said.

"We're really excited, we won the last heat and it is really great to learn more about science and technology and renewable energy sources — we should be learning a lot more about it; it's all about the future," Kayla said.

 Students from Duncraig Senior High holding their cars

PHOTO: Students from Duncraig Senior High working on their miniature solar panel cars

"It's nice to get our hands on these kits and it's definitely been a good learning exercise."

George Pankhurst, a Year 8 student at Mazenod College, said building the race car had some tricky moments.

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"It was a lot of work to get a good car — we had to get a corflute, you need an engine, four tires, a solar panel and some wires and you have to wire them up to make the best and the fastest car, but we got through it, with a bit of help from my teacher," he said.

Mr Clarke said the aim of the project is to promote the STEM subjects as an engaging and exciting area for students.

"What we're trying to do is engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects and this was a perfect match," he said.

"The students are extremely excited and they're demonstrating that this type of activity is something that re-engages them in their schooling.

"We started planning last year after Synergy approached us with the concept — we designed what we wanted to do and then Synergy car challenge evolved from that process and we had schools commit and then had all the gear out so they could participate."

Synergy spokesman Allan Gerber said the project was about the future and getting students excited about the next frontier of science.

"Renewable energy is where it's at. We are seeing a big change and the innovation that's happening at the moment is really exciting — and we want to get kids excited about it [science and technology]."

"We are really excited for the intelligent energy future and what's happening in the energy industry.

"We are seeing solar, battery being part of the mix."