Running on sun

Students build solar car for race

photo credit: Jeanne Laugesen

With screw and nail \\ Working on the solar car, junior Rodrigo Garcia is in the process of building the car to race in July at Texas Motor Speedway.

writer: Jeanne Laugesen, Staff Reporter

Students in Mr. Tony Roseberry’s class are working on a solar car. They began construction last November. The car runs solely on solar power. Solar panels are built on top of the car and batteries are built underneath. The panels catch sunlight and charge the batteries to power the car.

Mr. Roseberry’s students are building the solar car to attend a race at Texas Motor Speedway in July.

“Around 250 teams from all over the United States sign up for the race each year, but only 30 teams get to participate in the race,” Mr. Roseberry said.

The car can drive up to 40 miles per hour.

“There will have to be a balance between speed, time and the sun for the best result,” Mr. Roseberry said.

The car is student-driven. Safety is also a high priority in the race. The solar cars gets examined before the race begins to make sure it is safe.

“Only one student drives the car,” junior Rodrigo Garcia said.