Aston Martin Is Bringing Solar Tech To Its Endurance Race Cars

Aston Martin will be fitting solar panels to the roof of its endurance racers in order to run ancillary functions such as air conditioning. FIA World Endurance Championship regulations state that race cockpits must be below 32 degrees centigrade, however traditional air con units run off the engine and drain power.

This is less than ideal during a race situation, where fractions of a second make a huge difference. Aston decided to explore alternative options, and is working with Hanergy Solar Group, a company that produces ultra-thin solar panels. The technology will be tested during the current WEC season, debuting at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas this September.

It’s a clever solution, and taking load off the engine through solar panels would prove an interesting way to improve efficiency in road cars. Watch this space!