Students design solar sedan

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Students of Delhi Tech-nical University (DTU) have made India’s first solar passenger car. Flagged off by President Pranab Mukherjee in the capital this month, the car is now representing India at the ongoing Sasol Solar Challenge in South Africa (September 15 and 29).

“Last year, we had made a three-wheeler solar vehicle. This year our Vice-Chancellor Professor P.B. Sharma gave us our new challenge — to make a passenger solar car. DTU is firmly committed to empowering India’s solar powered vehicles and solar power generation systems,” says Vanshaj Sikri, fourth-year automotive engineering student and a team member.
“With a speed of 120 km/hr, the car is a zero carbon emission vehicle and is completely eco-friendly. It’s a sedan with a seating capacity of two and an option of adding three more seats,” says Dhiraj Mishra, leader of the team.
The body of the car is made of special grade matt fibre to keep the solar car light in weight and performance oriented. “Flexible modules of mono-crystalline solar silicon cells of 21.4 per cent efficiency have been pasted all over the top of the body to entrap maximum solar energy. In all, 800W is generated from these modules. We have named the car Arka, which in Sanskrit means sun,” adds Mishra.
Another member, Aman Sokhal believes the car is only the beginning towards the development of India and better, realistic vehicles. “Petrol prices get hiked every now and then. Solar energy is in abundance, so why not use it?” he reasons.
With Arka going places, the team is also eyeing corporate support to make it practical for one to drive. “We are in talks with various companies. If talks go well, such cars will soon run on Indian roads,” says Mishra.