A team of students from the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal unveiled this week the Eclipse X, a prototype vehicle fully powered by the sun's rays.
Tenth solar vehicle in the history of ÉTS, the Eclipse X is the lightest and most aerodynamic model ever designed in Quebec, says the team of about 40 members studying electrical or mechanical engineering.
Thanks to its monocoque carbon fiber chassis, the Montreal racing car weighs only 150 kilos and has such a low aerodynamic coefficient that its drag force is equivalent to that of a hand.
Covered by four square meters of photovoltaic cells, the solar vehicle transforms 24.3% of the sun's rays into usable energy to move forward. It is claimed that the energy consumption of the Eclipse X is about 1000 W, which is the equivalent of that of a hair dryer.
Without rejecting any emission of greenhouse gases, the Quebec solar car can travel up to 130 km / h and does not need to be charged. As long as there is sun, she will continue her way!Great ambitions
We will not have to wait too long to see the Eclipse X in action. As of next July, the ÉTS team will travel to the United States to participate in the 2018 edition of the American Solar Challenge.
After qualifying in Nebraska as part of the Formula Sun Grand Prix, the team will begin a long race of over 1,700 miles (over 2,700 kilometers) that will take the Eclipse X to Bend, Oregon.
Presented only once every two years, this competition brings together teams from all over the world and the caliber is high. In 2016, the ÉTS team finished eighth. This year, students involved in the project are aiming for nothing less than a podium.
Next year, the Montreal team will compete with the best teams in the world in the World Solar Challenge 2019, which will be held in Australia.