ISU students bringing solar car to Iowa Speedway

Iowa State University’s Team PrISUm is bringing a unique attraction to Newton’s Iowa Speedway on Saturday. The public is welcome to check out the group’s solar-powered car, “Penumbra,” from 2 to 5 p.m.

The visit to Iowa Speedway is part of the team’s tour of all 99 Iowa counties. After the statewide tour, the car will be flown to Australia in October to compete in the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Team PrISUm, which formed in 1989, is currently made up of 120 ISU students. The team designs and builds a solar car every two years, trying to push the boundaries of what people think is possible, said team member Smeet Mistry.

“Our mission statement is to change the paradigm of transportation, and in doing so, inspire future generations to pursue their passion through education,” Mistry said.

This year is especially big for the ISU undergrads because they are moving from a competition-based racer over to a more consumer-focused car. The group’s goal is to show that solar technology is manufacturable and viable. These cars can be used to go to the grocery store or pick up the kids from soccer practice.

Mistry, who is studying mechanical engineering and computer science at ISU, said there are solar cells on the roof of the car, which charge the battery pack that runs the motors.

Team PrISUm hopes to see major car companies adopt its technologies with mass-production techniques to make solar-powered cars more affordable.

“We’re just a bunch of undergrad students at Iowa State,” Mistry said. “If we can do this in our free time, this is definitely going to be happening in the future. Everyone should get on board.”

When the car rolls into Iowa Speedway this weekend, people will be able to see and interact with the car and Team PrISUm. It’s a chance to see how Iowa college students are innovating on the world stage.

About 50 international teams will be competing in the World Solar Challenge this fall. The challenge is a road race through the Australian Outback from the north coast to the south coast. There will be some other American teams competing, but Team PrISUm’s main competition will be from Germany, the Netherlands and Japan, Mistry said.

“Penumbra” contains four seats and features bluetooth audio and wireless charging for cell phones. Fully charged, it has a 200-mile range. On a sunny day, a constant speed of 40 miles per hour can be achieved without any energy from the batteries. Team PrISUm is partnering with ISU Extension and Outreach for the 99-county tour.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com