DCU students unveil Ireland's first solar racing car
DCU students have unveiled Ireland's first solar-powered racing car, ahead of a 24-hour endurance race in Belgium.
Dublin City University (DCU) students have unveiled Ireland's first solar-powered racing car, marking a significant milestone in sustainable transportation research. The single-seater car, designed and built by over 40 students from various engineering disciplines, has undergone four years of intensive development, testing, and refinement.
The vehicle, measuring six meters in length, boasts a custom solar array, lightweight composite materials, and advanced telemetry systems, all aimed at maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing drag. The team recently completed a test drive at Mondello Park in Co Kildare, preparing the vehicle for its debut in the iLumen European Solar Challenge at Circuit Zolder in Belgium on 19 and 20 September.
The 24-hour endurance race will see the DCU team compete against university engineering teams from around the world, testing their skills in balancing speed, energy management, and battery efficiency. DCU Solar Racing Team Principal Rian Gill expressed immense pride in the team's achievement, crediting the dedication, teamwork, and multidisciplinary application of students and industry partners.
Faculty of Engineering and Computing Executive Dean Jennifer Bruton emphasized the project's significance in demonstrating sustainable transport solutions through vision, dedication, and hands-on application. The DCU team will now face international competition in one of the world's few 24-hour solar-powered vehicle endurance competitions.
Brief written by urgent.news from RTE News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
