Design And Testing Of A Solar-Powered Bicycle In Nairobi, Kenya

Globally, access to reliable and clean transportation vehicles is a growing concern. Using off-the-shelf components, researchers in Kenya have developed a solar-powered bicycle called the "Solar-E-Bike." The bike has the potential to support the demand for mobility and electric power of the growing African population. A fully solar powered vehicle/generator for commuting and light cargo transportation as a source of electricity in the home is technicallyfeasible and would respond to real user needs, impact the lives of many ofpeople living in off-grid communities in Africa. Incorporating renewablypowered transportation methods could be a significant contribution to avoiding CO2 emissions in the future. The prototypesfor this product have proven that a solar vehicle could easily be a practical transportation device with a daily range of 50 km per day. However, a test drive across 500 km showcased valuable design changes, such as improved component selection and durable frame design, that are neededfor this product to be usable on a commercialized scale. Vehicles such as the one discussed in this paper couldprovide additional benefits such as power. generation and provide infrastructure support for health, education, water and communications.