Have you ever thought about testing a “solar powered car”? There is a new science experiment for the citizendeveloped by a team of researchers from the Department of Geographical Engineering, Geophysics and Energy (DEGGE), the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and the Institut Dom Luiz (IDL) Where you can participate as a volunteer.

The initiative takes place in context Solar Car Project, aims to estimate the solar mobility potential of electric vehiclesand collect data to validate models such as those developed by the researchers.

In the case of this experiment, Measurements are taken using volunteer vehicles, which do not require electric vehicles. Besides a car and a desire to participate in a science project, the only other requirement volunteers need to meet is a desire to learn more about the role of solar energy for more sustainable mobility.

entirely, Solar sensors for the project have been in circulation in Lisbon since December 2021having gone through 15 different vehicles, including buses, private cars, and TVDE.

In a statement to the researchers Explain that the “The integration of solar panels into electric vehicles increases the vehicle’s autonomywhich are shipped during the day, reducing costs, CO2 emissions and shipping frequency.”

According to the analysis of the potential of a city like Lisbon, “Solar energy can contribute, on average annually, the equivalent of 18 km/day”even looking at the shadows left by buildings, for example.

Bearing in mind that the average distance traveled in the city is 30 km/day, the researchers claim this The solar electric car will cut energy costs by more than half.in addition to eliminating the need for charging during the summer, and reducing it by half during the winter.

Anyone interested can participate Register using the form provided on the initiative websiteWhere it is also possible to learn more details about the project.