A group of students at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed and unveiled a solar powered mobile home that they claim can travel for up to 730-kilometres on a sunny day.
Solar Team Eindhoven, a group of 22 students from Eindhoven University of Technology, unveiled earlier this month the Stella Vita, a solar powered mobile home that, when stationary, is able to deploy solar panels measuring as much as 17.5-square-metres.
This makes the Stella Vita independent of charging stations – though, no word on whether it is actually capable of using a charging station if need be or desired.
Originally teased back in March as a concept named SHOW – short for Self-sustaining House On Wheels – the Stella Vita is designed to generate enough solar energy to not only drive 730-kilometres on a sunny day, but also shower, watch TV, charge your laptop, and make coffee.
Having already produced four solar powered family cars that have served as the foundation for the Lightyear One – the first solar powered car made for consumers – Solar Team Eindhoven began looking ahead to new innovative possibilities for solar powered mobility.
Able to comfortably carry two passengers thanks to a 60kWh lithium-ion battery and a lightweight glass fiber with aluminium and foam core, Stella Vita weighs 1,700-kilograms and measures in at 7.20-metres long.
The roof slides up when stationary to allow occupants to stand inside to cook, and also allows space for sleeping or working, elevating to a height of 2.54-metres unfolded and an unfolded width of 4.40-metres – though this is mainly the solar panels.
With a top speed of 120km/h it has a base range of 600-kilometres, or 730-kilometres on a sunny day. But it is important thing to note that the Stella Vita takes 2 to 3 days to recharge fully with just solar, because it needs to be able to deploy the 17.5-metres-squared solar panels, which fold in to 8.8-metres-squared for driving.
Solar Team Eindhoven first unveiled the Stella Vita to a group of young students, part of the group’s desire to encourage the next generation in sustainability.
“They are the future, the next generation and can encourage and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future,” said Kjell Revenberg, team manager of Solar Team Eindhoven.
“To accelerate this transition we are going to inspire as many people in Europe as possible for the sustainable future during our journey.”
Unfortunately, though the Stella Vita and Solar Team Eindhoven were scheduled to begin a 3,000-kilometre journey from Eindhoven to the southernmost tip of Spain starting on Sunday, technical troubles have forced the team to load the solar powered mobile home onto a trailer.
According to a Facebook post by the team, Solar Team Eindhoven will continue to work on the vehicle during the tour and hope to drive her on roads heading south as soon as possible.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.