UMR solar powered car

Advanced Battery Technology, May 2003

If you think gasoline prices are spiraling a bit too high, you might consider checking out the University of Missouri-Rolla's solar-powered car.

The car recently was displayed at Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Scott Essner of Scott City, Missouri, vice president for manufacturing and design of the UMR's Solar Car Team, made a presentation there on designing and building solar cars.

"You always want to educate people on what technology is out there," Essner said, adding he hopes the team's work will one day result in making electric-or solar-powered cars more accessible. "We are really pushing the envelope on technology."

Southeast's two-year pre-engineering program is closely articulated with programs at the University of Missouri-Rolla and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Essner completed that program and is completing a mechanical engineering degree at UMR.

UMR's solar racing car was built by students, faculty, and staff to compete in a cross-country race held every two years. Teams from colleges, universities, and technical schools across the country participate, constructing and racing vehicles powered only by the sun.

Essner has driven the car in races in the past. A previous UMR solar car was the winner of the Sunrayce'99. Last summer, the team traveled to China to race and display its car. This summer, the team is planning to participate in a race along Old Route 66 in July.

The races help to determine the car's efficiency and how far it can travel at a reasonable rate with as little energy and as few problems as possible.