SERRT is currently designing a new solar car for the 2017 Formula Sun Grand Prix competition. This experience will help us set a firm foundation on what will be the next car. Also, we know the areas were we need reinforcement and optimizations. In order to have a durable, versatile car, the strictest parameters are taken from each of the competitions regulations. To comply with the regulations, the team decided to design a tubular chassis instead of the current carbon fiber and honeycomb structure. This is expected to reduce the total weight of the car at least 14%. For the suspension, the focus is having a better system with improved dampening of the car in order to have a smoother ride. At the same time, the car is going to sit lower to reduce large moment forces in the uprights and improve its aerodynamics. For the interior the pilot will have better ventilation and a LCD screen which will display all the cars relevant.

The electric member’s main goal is to increase efficiency. The battery design will implement only one level of batteries, this will improve troubleshooting as well as easier maintenance. In terms of the components, new motors and controller are being considered to improve the car’s average speed and energy consumption. Different solar array configurations are being analyzed to maximize the cells output. The vehicle's telemetry will consist of CanBus operational platform which will provide the information for the driver and the team at the pit area. This information will range from the total cells output to the motor temperature. The new car is sure to be the best one that has come out of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez and will surely represent the future engineers of Puerto Rico.