Load Calculation for a Solar Car

It comes down to Power to Total Weight ratio (watts/kilos that should be >10 depends what you want ) then select the motor ratings.

Don't forget the voltage of the power supply is important as this will determine the current ratings for both the motor and the battery (higher voltage lower current required to do the same work)!

Get, if possible, a complete set (motor with its controller that you may get out of a fork lift) and the battery bank that you either make up from some good brand of cells which could help to save on some dead weight, (this you better shop around for as they can be expensive)!

This is it in a nutshell, you may also have to follow some protocol, which I know nothing about, to stay within regulations.

Just out of curiosity, what is this auto-rikshaw chassy?

Hello:

I have concluded that 3 1/2 horsepower is a minimum for a very lightweight automobile or golf cart as they are called around here. Most golf carts are electric, and can be bought used for a few hundred dollars or less.

3 1/2 horsepower should give 30 to 35 miles per hour, perhaps a little more depending on streamlining and frontal area, and some hill climbing ability at a slower speed.

Quite a few experimental solar cars have been built, and they of course don't run when the sun doesn't shine, and the amount of solar panels they can carry limits their power.

Good luck.

bill_michaels