A5_1 Power of a Star in an Unreasonably Priced Car

Abstract

The inaugural Formula E motor-racing championship features electric cars whose batteries are not currently capable of lasting an entire race, meaning drivers must change cars halfway through. This paper investigates the possibility of using solar panels to recharge the battery during the race; thereby ensuring only 1 car per driver is required. Whilst it is established that the car could support a sufficiently large solar array, the required area of 1920m² is clearly too large to be of practical use.