The exhibition of solar car Eolian I has been a success at the Technology Fair CONICYT 2014 that is being held today and tomorrow, October 7, at Plaza de la Constitución.
The visitors, among them several students, have had the chance to learn closely about the car’s history, characteristics and autonomy thanks to the explanation of the students and researchers in charge, who are constantly answering questions and doubts from those interested.
“The solar car has awakened the interest of children and the elderly, who have approached us to ask what it is, how independent it is, its speed limit and where it has competed. It has been useful to educate people about the scopes of solar energy in the country,” commented José Antonio Marín, one of the persons in charge of the project.
The Eolian’s presentation to the community allows telling the visitors that this is the first solar car in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was created in 2007 by electrical and mechanical engineering and industrial design students. They are now working on the fourth version, which will have four wheels, a two-passenger capacity, and will be able to travel 350 km a day at 70 km/h average speed. The car will travel from Arica to Punta Arenas to promote the use of solar energy in Chile.
The two-seater solar car stand, Eolian 4, sponsored by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Universidad de Chile and SERC Chile, is one of the 26 technology-related projects which are being promoted in this fair and which seek to find cures for diseases, take better advantage of natural resources, help people with disabilities, spread scientific knowledge and optimize productive processes.