Overview
- The Deep Orange 17 prototype, which Clemson and its partners publicly described on Monday, is fitted with more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells and is reported to generate more energy in a typical urban day than it consumes.
- BMW, a project backer, estimates the solar array can add up to 31 miles of range on a sunny day while student models across Greenville, Frankfurt, Madrid and Mumbai project roughly 50 km of extra range from a 20 km commute.
- The vehicle weighs about 550 kg thanks to a mixed steel, aluminum and carbon‑fiber structure with 3D‑printed metal joints, and uses regenerative braking and optimized drivetrain controls to minimize energy demand.
- Fraunhofer ISE helped develop shading‑tolerant solar modules protected by a durable film so the PV skin can harvest sunlight while parked, moving, or partially shaded in traffic.
- Clemson will continue validation at its International Center for Automotive Research and plans a public showing at CES 2027 to invite broader technical review and industry feedback.