MAKING A SOLAR POWERED MODEL RACING
CAR
V. Ryan © 2006
A model solar powered racing car can the manufactured from some basic materials and comp**ents. These include cheap low powered electric 'solar' motors, straws, card and insulati** tape. The most expensive comp**ent will be the solar panel, costing approximately ten British Pounds (sixteen US Dollars). A sample model is seen below.
The photovoltaic solar panel produces approximately 2 to 3 volts, easily enough to drive round the 1.5 to 3 volt electric motors. The voltage produced depends ** the intensity of sunlight.
Photovoltaic panels c**vert the sunlight directly into electricity. A typical example of a device powered by photovoltaic cells is a solar powered calculator. This type of device **ly needs a small amount of electrical power to work and can even be used in a room with artificial light (bulbs / fluorescent light). The panels required for a powered model vehicle are much larger but can be purchases cheaply as solar power kits, for children to use.
The next few pages explain how the model car is made.