How to Build a Miniature Solar Car

Solar panels are a portable solution for generating solar power.

Solar power is generated by converting sunlight into electricity. Energy from photons is used to heat steam that turns a generator, or, in the case of solar panels, impart energy to electrons. Because of the almost endless supply of solar energy, solar power has often been hailed as the most sustainable and environmentally friendly source of energy. Although nobody has yet designed a marketable car that can run solely on solar power, it is easy to make a miniature solar car.

Things You'll Need

• 2 miniature solar panels, 2 by 2 inches
• 2 electric motors
• 4 miniature wheels and tires
• 1 axle
• Corrugated cardboard
• Scissors
• Tape
• Solder

Instructions

1. Cut out a piece of cardboard the size of two solar panels placed side by side.

2. Tape the two solar panels onto the cardboard. Do this with as little tape as possible, to avoid obstructing sunlight. Alternately, you can roll up a piece of tape and press it to the back of the solar panels.

3. Fasten one wheel to each motor. These should slide over the drive shaft of the motor.

4. Tape both motors to the back of the car underneath the cardboard. Make sure the motors are lined up with each other.

5. Solder the wires from the solar panel onto the motors. Each panel has two wires that connect to the two terminals of one motor. Before soldering them in place, touch the wires to their respective terminals and make sure the motor spins forward. If it does not, switch the positions of the wires.

6. Slide an axle through a corrugation on the front of the sheet of cardboard. Slide the two other wheels onto opposite sides of the axle.

References

• Junior Solar Sprint -- An Introduction to Building a Model Solar Car