The exhibition of the Eolian I solar car has proven to be a success at the 2014 Conicyt Technology Fair, which is taking place today and tomorrow, October 7, at the Plaza de la Constitución.

Visitors, including many schoolchildren, have had the opportunity to learn more about its history, specifications, and range thanks to the explanations provided by the students and researchers in charge, who are constantly addressing the questions and inquiries of those interested.

“The solar car has sparked significant interest among children and seniors, who have approached us to ask about everything from what it is to its range, the speed it reaches, and where it has competed. It has served to educate about the potential of solar energy in the country,” remarked José Antonio Marín, one of the project leads.

Presenting the Eolian to the community allows visitors to learn that this was the first solar car in Latin America and the Caribbean, created in 2007 by students of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and industrial design. A fourth version is currently being developed, which will accommodate two people, feature four wheels, and be capable of traveling 350 kilometers per day at an average speed of 70 km/h. It will travel from Arica to Punta Arenas to promote the use of solar energy in Chile.

The stand for the Eolian 4 two-seater solar car, sponsored by the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the University of Chile and SERC Chile, is one of 26 technology-related projects being showcased at this fair. These projects seek to find cures for diseases, optimize the use of natural resources, assist people with disabilities, disseminate scientific knowledge, and improve production processes.