Driving solar-powered house makes journey of 3,000 kilometres

Student team Team Solar from TU Eindhoven presented its solar-powered driving house, Stella Vita, on 10 September. The driving house generates enough solar energy to live and drive on. With this, the student team is taking the next step towards a sustainable future. On 19 September, the solar house on wheels will hit the road for the first time. It will start a 3,000-kilometre journey to the southernmost tip of Spain.

Stella Vita is a house on wheels. Team Solar's new concept thus goes beyond a camper van. Thanks to the PV panels on the roof, the vehicle can provide its own energy. It is therefore not dependent on charging stations. The mobile home generates enough solar energy to drive, shower, watch TV, charge a laptop and make coffee.

The vehicle has a roof that slides up when stationary. This makes it easier for the user/resident to cook inside while standing. In addition, extra pv panels also flip out when the roof is raised. This doubles the solar area to 17.5 square metres. A comfortable interior has been designed for daily use. This interior is as light and efficient as possible. By using energy economically, the vehicle can drive up to 730 km on a sunny day.

The first to see the vehicle were young students. Why? "They are the future, the next generation. They can encourage and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future," says Kjell Revenberg, team manager of Solar Team Eindhoven. "To accelerate this transition, we are going to inspire as many people as possible in Europe for the sustainable future during our journey."

The students will travel with the vehicle from Eindhoven to the southernmost tip of Spain in a month on energy from the sun. Together with their partners, including main sponsor Coolblue, the students will demonstrate the future of sustainable travel.

Source: TU/e
Photos: Bart van Overbeeke