Waaree Energies, a Mumbai-headquartered solar power products company, is providing a helping hand to VJTI Racing, the students club of VJTI College, Mumbai, by sponsoring the manufacture of a solar-powered vehicle.
As part of its vision to support young engineering minds and product innovation, Waaree Energies is providing solar modules for the vehicle. VJTI Racing has been a regular in events involving the manufacture of ATVs and Formula-type cars.
The car, which uses a seamless pipe chassis that makes it easier to manufacture, has a compact design and provides high maneuverability and a short turning radius. The car is driven by a 2 KW BLDC motor along with a well-engineered power transmission, which helps in achieving high speeds with low power consumption. The area and positioning of solar panels has been chosen with utmost optimisation so that all energy requirements are met. The car uses lithium-ion batteries by virtue of their less charging time, increased output and reduced overall weight.
The car is equipped with a dual braking system and also an over-travel switch to reduce damage due to panic braking. A major innovation is the distress caller for driver safety. Other innovations include regenerative circuits to maximise power usage.
According to Jignesh Rathod – SBU head at Waaree Energies, “It is a pioneering design in the field of technology, optimisation and sustainability.”
A member of VJTI Racing said, “We are delighted with this support and believe in the vision of Waaree Energies and solar power. However, to do this on a larger scale and make solar vehicles a reality, the country needs better infrastructure and definitely the same zeal towards renewable energy demonstrated by the current government.”