History Facts and Figures The SOL of Auburn at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World Learn how a solar car worksGeneral Information
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History
What started as an idea for a Mechanical Engineering senior project
to build a small remote-control solar-powered car has mushroomed into a
the largest undergraduate engineering project ever undertaken a Auburn
University. This project gained the most momentum when GM
announced sponsorship of the 1990 GM Sunrayce
from Orlando, Florida to Detroit, Michigan. Race participation allows
the team to refine management and design skills and test improvements.
The SOL of Auburn
car has run in many races since the construction of the first car.
There has been a total of five cars built since this project's start,
and the following list summarizes the Sol of Auburn's race history:
| Event | Route | Distance | Result |
| GM Sunrayce USA 1990 | Orlando, FL to Detroit, MI | 1644 Miles | 15th out of 32 |
| California Clean Air Race 1991 | Sacramento,CA to Los Angles, CA | 760 Miles | 3rd out of 7 |
| Sunrayce Eastern Qualifier 1993 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IN | 50 Miles | 4th out of 20 |
| Sunrayce 1993 | Arlington, TX to Minneapolis, MN | 1110 Miles | 25th out of 35 |
| Sunrayce 1997 | Indianapolis, IN to Denver,CO | 1150 Miles | 30th out of 33* |
| ASC Qualifier, May 2003 | Heartland Park; Topeka, KS | 248 Miles | 5th out of 15 registered teams |
| American Solar Challenge, July 2003 | Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA | 2234 Miles | 12th out of 31 registered teams |
| Formula Sun Grand Prix 2005 | Heartland Park; Topeka, KS | 586 miles | 3rd overall out of 30 registered teams (2nd in stock class) |
| North American Solar Challenge 2005 | Austin, TX to Calgary, Canada | 2495 miles | 12th overall out of 28 registered teams (4th in stock class) |
| * car damaged while impounded during a thunderstorm | |||
We are proud to be involved in a project that stimulates increased environmental awareness and interest in alternative forms of energy and transportation.
Facts and Figures
2005 Sol of Auburn - Located on campus in Shop 3
| Dimensions: | Length: Width: Height: |
5m (16.42 ft) 1.75m (5.75 ft) 0.94m (3.08 ft) |
| Weight: | 250 kg (550 lb) | |
| Top Speed: | >112 km/h (70 mph) | |
| Estimated Vehicle Cost: | $200,000 (includes donated materials) | |
| Chassis: | Chromoly steel space-frame | |
| Body: | Composite materials, mostly kevlar | |
| Wheels: | Bridgestone Ecopia (110 psi) | |
| Motor: | Type: Power: Efficiency: |
In-Wheel, Brushless DC 3.7 kW (5 hp) 95% |
| Batteries: | Type: Energy: |
Lithium Polymer 5.5 kW-hr |
| Solar Cells: | Type: Efficiency: |
Monocrystalline Silicon 20.5% |
| Safety | Five-point harness turn signals horn brake lights rear view mirrors radio communication |
|
| Registered, legal street vehicle in the State of Alabama | ||
2003 Sol of Auburn - Located in the Barber Sports Museum in Birmingham, AL
| Dimensions: | Length: Width: |
6m (19.7 ft) 2m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight: | 336 kg (740 lb) | |
| Top Speed: | 112 km/h (70 mph) | |
| Estimated Vehicle Cost: | $100,000 (includes donated materials) | |
| Chassis: | Chromoly steel space-frame | |
| Body: | Composite materials, mostly Kevlar | |
| Motor: | Type: Power: Efficiency: |
In-Wheel, Brushless DC 8.5 kW (11 hp) 95% |
| Batteries: | Type: Energy: |
Lithium Polymer 5.5 kW-hr |
| Solar Cells: | Type: Efficiency: |
Monocrystalline Silicon 16% |
| Safety | Five-point harness turn signals horn brake lights rear view mirrors radio communication |
|
| Registered, legal street vehicle in the State of Alabama | ||
1997 Sol of Auburn - Located in Storage
1993 Sol of Auburn - No longer exists
1990 Sol of Auburn - No longer exists