Wits Solar Car
The Wits Solar Car was founded in 2010 with the aim to participate in the 2012 South African Solar Challenge.[1] The Wits Solar Car Team comprises a group of students from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Parhelion
Parhelion is Wits’ second generation solar car and was "inspired by a phenomenon of the sun, which results in the formation of a halo or circular rainbow around the sun and is commonly known as the sun dog".[2] Parhelion was designed to optimise energy from sunlight and aims to showcase the feasibility of renewable energy in the transport and energy sectors.
Parhelion will feature a semi-monocoque carbon fibre chassis and will be powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Stats
Many of the dimensions of the Wits Solar Car are governed by the FIA regulations.[3]
| Stats | Figures |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.5 m |
| Width | 1.8 m |
| Height | 1.2 m |
| Solar panels | Silicon |
| Panel surface area | 6 m2 |
The project uses computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis to design the necessary components, in order to ensure both aerodynamic and structural standards are met before the design is fabricated according to the FIA regulations.
References
- ↑ "Wits Solar Car". Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ↑ "Parhelion". Wits Solar Car. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
- ↑ FIA Sport/Technical Department, Technical Regulations for Alternative Energy Vehicles, Technical Regulations for Olympia class, 41-57
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