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Solar Car racing is based more in efficiency than velocity of the cars. That is why aerodynamics is one of the most important factors. El Wanabi is a four wheel vehicle with a sleek airfoil configuration design to have the best efficiency at 45 – 50mph. After various simulation analysis with different shapes, the airfoil configuration proved to have the least drag forces while allowing to use the maximum area possible for our solar cells, meaning less energy will be consumed due to air resistance, which increases exponentially. El Wanabi also features lightweight materials for its chassis. Our vehicle uses a composite material formed with Carbon-Fiber and aluminum honeycomb core, which has a higher strength-to- weight ratio than aluminum alone and other steel alloys. To protect the driver our vehicle has a chromoly roll cage capable of withstanding up to 5G frontal, lateral and rollover impact.

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The main components for a solar car is its solar arrays. El Wanabi is made of over 380 mono-crystalline Sunpower solar cells, producing over 1kW with 20.5% efficiency. The array is divided into twelve sub- arrays, each with its own Maximum Power Point Tracker. This unique design prevents shaded areas or damaged cells to affect the rest of the array, unlike a commercial array or other solar vehicles. “El Wanabi” is the first and only solar vehicle to have participated in the American Solar Challenge with this feature. To store the energy gathered by the solar arrays our battery bank is composed of 434 Lithium- Ion cells capable of storing up to 5kWh with a maximum discharge current of over 80A at 130V. Also, our Elithion Battery Management System provides around-the- clock battery protection and monitoring, ensuring that they are being used within the manufacturer’s safety parameters. It is designed to have automatic control charging and discharging, allowing the BMS to disconnect the batteries in case of a problem, and reconnecting them when the problem is cleared without relying on driver intervention. 

 

Every vehicle needs a motor. El Wanabi is powered by a ultra-high efficient 10hp (7.5kW) three-phase synchronous motor. The SCM150 motor, manufactured by NuGen Motors, is the most used motor in solar vehicles around the world due to its high efficiency, reliability and high power delivery. It can also be used for regenerative braking, transforming kinetic energy into electric energy and storing it back into the battery pack for later use.

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This year in the Formula Sun Grand Prix the team managed to keep the car on the track all three days of the competition. “El Wanabi” placed 11th with a total of 72 laps around the Circuit of the Americas, improving our last year’s performance of this event. The car traveled more than 200 miles with only the sun to recharge the batteries. The car also achieved the 8th fastest lap in the competition, and the team won the Spirit of the Event award. This award is given to the team that best represents the spirit of solar car racing; overcoming hardships, good sportsmanship, teamwork, cooperation, and making a well-engineered car.