A solar car is called like that because of the use of solar energy to drive. But to make a solar car a solar car, like Nuna7, an extremely efficient solar panel is needed. We, the Nuon Solar Team, accomplished this by performing much research on solar cells and solar panels. We do this with producing companies, but also with research bodies. We have done a lot of research in collaboration with ECN (Energy research Center the Netherlands).

To analyse highly efficient solar panels, very precise measurements are needed. Highly accurate measuring instruments were used. One of these tools that ECN offered us is the solar flasher, it can determine the efficiency of a solar panel with high precision. This allows us to measure small differences in several solar panels. This gives insights into the quality, efficiency and durability of the panels.

A flasher set-up at ECN. With this system the behaviour of the panels is measured at different angles.

This type of information is used to decide on the final solar panels for Nuna7. Also thanks to the measurements performed at ECN we got enough confidence in an experimental solar panel from a specialist producer. These solar panels are unique in the world and with our research specially designed for Nuna7. It is the first time that a completely new type of solar panel is used on a Nuna.

In Australia, we have already seen that that our research with bodies such as ECN, has resulted in a panel that performs beyond expectations!

The new type of solar panels, visible by the orange background.

The suspension ensures that the car is safe and stable on the road. This is crucial as you race through the Outback at 100km/h. It should also be able to withstand the blows of driving over a cattle grid and comfort to the driver.

For the steering system, it is very important that the wheels are perfectly aligned at all times. A small deviation will cause an energy loss, and over a distance of 3000km this certainly make a difference.

All this means that it is very important that the whole suspension system should work very well and everything should be so designed as precisely as possible. This requires the smallest tolerances and a high production quality.

In addition, all the parts should be as light as possible, which means complex shapes are designed, that are difficult and time consuming to produce.

In short, it’s quite the challenge to produce these parts, especially when it’s in a hurry. Luckily we found the perfect partner in ECN. They fixed the job and produced these parts for us, from the rims to the smallest part of the steering system. The result is one to be seen.