Legacy

Over the decades, Purdue Solar Racing has grown from humble beginnings into a successful and innovative collegiate solar car team. Our mission to build world class solar vehicles while spreading the benefits of sustainability has continued to push us to innovate.

We have designed 11 vehicles to date and competed in races including: Formula Sun Grand Prix, American Solar Challenge, and Shell Eco-Marathon.

 

Our Races

2024 Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge - 6th for SOV

2023 Shell Eco Marathon Podium- 2nd place in Battery Electric

2013 Shell Eco Marathon Winner - 1st place in Urban Concept

2011-2012 Shell Eco Marathon Winner - 2 time 1st place in Battery Electric

2008 - 2010 Shell Eco Marathon Winner - 3 Time 1st place in Solar Prototype

2003 American Solar Challenge - "0-66" Award Recipient

Lux - 2024

2024 Formula Solar Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge - 6th place in SOV

The car features a custom carbon fiber aeroshell and a chassis constructed from lightweight carbon fiber sandwich panels. Weighing in at only 180kg (396lb), it has a top speed of 65 mph and can drive energy neutral at 35 mph. It is powered by a 957 W solar array combined with a 5.26 kWh battery. Energy is delivered to the ground through a 2kW rear-wheel hub motor.

Apollo - 2023

2023 Shell Eco Marathon Podium- 2nd place in Battery Electric

Apollo is PSR’s 3rd urban-concept and 11th overall vehicle. With an equivalent efficiency of 1700 mpg. In addition, Apollo features two side doors, rear view mirrors, windshield wipers, trunk space, and regenerative breaking.

Renatus - 2018

Renatus, Latin for 'rebirth,' is Purdue Solar Racing's tenth vehicle. With the footprint of a small SUV, Renatus weighs only around 800 pounds and estimated speeds of up to 65 mph.

Navitas - 2013

2013 Shell Eco Marathon Winner - 1st Place in Battery Electric

Navitas (for ‘energy’) was our second iteration of an Urban Concept, with an equivalent efficiency of 2,630 mpg. Major efficiency gains came from the addition of carbon fiber wheels, a space-grade solar array, and solar concentrators to maximize energy collection.

Celeritas - 2011

2011 Shell Eco Marathon Winner - 1st Place in Battery Electric

Celeritas (Latin for 'swiftness') was our first Urban Concept vehicle built, with features such as regenerative braking and plug-in charging capabilities. Celeritas made several media appearances, including coverage of its unveiling by WFLI News.

Pulsar - 2008

2008-2011 Shell Eco Marathon Winner - 4 Time 1st Place in Solar Prototype

U.S. Science and Engineering Festival Representative for Purdue University

With an equivalent efficiency of 4,913 mpg and a 300W power output, PULSAR made many appearances in local and national media.

SPOT II - 2005

2006 Tour of Indiana Participant

As an evolution of the 2003 SPOT vehicle, SPOT II featured enhanced usage of structural composites for while weighing only 430 pounds, yet reaching speeds over 60 MPH.

SPOT - 2003

2003 American Solar Challenge - "0-66" Award Recipient

S.P.O.T. (Solar Powered Overland Transportation) represented a quantum leap in ruggedness, aerodynamics, and composite construction. With cruising speeds of 45 MPH, SPOT traveled over 2,000 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Heliophile Pi - 1999

2001 American Solar Challenge Competitor

Heliophile Pi was one of the lightest vehicles of its competitors. During the race, Pi had its best segment finishes of sixth and twelfth. Additionally, PSR was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the helpful hand lent to Ohio State after an accident.

Heliophile 2.5 - 1997

1997 Sunrayce Competitor

Building on the success of 1995, the team opted to focus on improved aerodynamics for the 1997 Sunrayce.  Although resulting in a disappointing finish, the knowledge gained regarding solar car aerodynamics and composite construction would be of significant benefit in the future.

Heliophile 1.5 - 1995

1995 Sunrayce Competitor - 17th Place

Heliophile 1.5 (Greek for "Lover of the Sun")

Boilermaker Solar Special - 1993

Purdue University's venture into the competitive field of solar racing began in 1991. Although inexperienced and small, the members began a trend with incredible capacities. This, however, was a building point and a chance to learn.