Solar Shadow Photo Gallery

Filled with photos taken during test drives and competition!

Legacy Vehicles

The Los Altos Academy of Engineering has created a number of solar and electrical vehicles since its inception. Information and specifications on our electric and solar vehicles are posted in this section.





  

 

 

Designed and Constructed: 1996

 

Competed in: World Solar Challenge (Australia, 1996); Winston Solar Challenge (1997)

Dimensions
   Length: 179 inches
   Width: 68 inches
   Height: 40 inches

Weight
   750 lb. (with battery)
   with driver: 925 lb.

Frame
Chassis: Dual Layer Nomex Honeycomb Core Material
       - Carbon Fiber: Stiff Support
       - Kevlar: Outer Skin/ Insulation.

Suspension
   Mono Shock Setup -
   Work Performance Shocks
       - Front: Modified Dual A-Arm
       - Rear: Swing Arm: Dual Wheel
   Array Substructure
       - Fiberglass
       - Carbon Fiber

Brakes
   Primary and Secondary Hydraulic Disk Brakes

 

Motor
Solectra DC Brush Type Permanent Magnet Motor
       - 85% Efficiency
       - Rated Power 3hp
       - Maximum Power 12hp

Speed control
   Average speed: 25-30 mph
   Top speed: 40 mph
 
Batteries
   8 GNB EV-500 lead-acid 12 Volt
   3.4 Wh discharge at 5hrs
   34.5 per battery

Wheels
   20 inch ACS brand BMX Tires at 100 psi

Efficiency
Average efficiency is 14.25% of sunlight converted to energy
    -14.5% efficient polycrystalline solar cells
    -14% efficient monocrystalline solar cells

Check out the Solar Shadow photo gallery by clicking here.