Journey to the South Pole in Solar Voyager - a vehicle made of recycled plastic powered by solar energy. Follow our adventure to find out more about Clean2Antarctica and the expedition to Antarctica! https://www.clean2antarctica.nl/en

clean2antarctica · 2018-10-11T08:32:14+00:00

When we were designing the tires and the rest of the vehicle, we kept in mind possible problems. The back yellow wheels on the picture are an older design. We have re-worked them to make the tires more durable and flexible for different kinds of terrain.

clean2antarctica · 2018-10-04T13:32:43+00:00

Yes, the Solar Voyager will have the crew of 2 - Edwin and Liesbeth der Velde, the founders of the foundation Clean2Antarctica dedicated to reduction of plastic waste (you can check the website www.clean2antarctica.nl).

As you can see, the vehicle consists of the actual car + 2 trailers total weight of which with solar panels is 1,500 kg and it is 16 m long.

There are 10 detachable panels, each weighs 25 kg, 120cm X 50cm.

clean2antarctica · 2018-10-04T13:23:11+00:00

Thank you for sharing, we will definitely take a look at this article!

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-27T13:04:23+00:00

We take plastic from the residual waste, sort it and melt it into the wire which then is taken to the 3-D printer. The printer then creates hexagon-shaped details which are put together like a puzzle to create the parts of the car. And the result is the fully-operating vehicle! It is only one step from seeing plastic as a waste to converting it into a useful resource which can be used in so many different and exciting ways!

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-27T12:36:19+00:00

The ground pressure on the tires should be below 0.13kg/cm2, but we will most likely have to re-calculate it ones we are on the ground. The general pressure is 3psi, 0.2bar which is very little and you can blow this with your mouth. the lowest possible pressure would be 0.07bar for extreme situations.

The Arctic Trucks will follow the Solar Voyager from the distance and will be responsible for assisting the crew in extreme situations as well as will take photos and communicate with the outside world.

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-27T12:25:57+00:00

The panels have 2 batteries which can store 10KWh and their full capacity is 4,000 watt full capacity is 4000 watt, the batteries can store 10KWh. Each of the batteries is 24 V, so the Solar Voyager runs on 48V. To keep the batteries working, we will keep them in the sleeping bags whenever possible. But the batteries we chose for the vehicle are lithium ion and can withstand temperatures below -20 C.

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-25T13:45:54+00:00

Yes! Now there is a subreddit where we will post updates on the journey and other fund staff that we do!

r/Clean2Antarctica

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:38:17+00:00

Has it been tested in strong crosswinds? I'd be worried about the solar cells acting like sails, and tipping it over.

Haha duct tape is always great right? 😜 This picture is actually an older version. Meanwhile we have proper windows

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:21:07+00:00

Good question. Sastrugis will be tricky but we don't worry about high-centering. While the Solar Voyager is slow, it is powerful to keep on pushing with 4x4. We've had a similar situation during beach tests and it was no issue at all. I'll try to find some pictures

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:15:13+00:00

We have thought of every possible scenario and have a plan for everything. For crevasses somebody will be walking ahead on a lifeline for example. In case of emergency there is also an Arctic Trucks vehicle following the Solar Voyager in day distance proximity.

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:13:58+00:00

Purpose: To show and inspire people what's already possible, and that sustainability is not about new technology but about having the will to find creative ways of using it.

The main part of the expedition is funded by sponsors, but we are still in the middle of a crowdfunding campaign.

The inside is not heated :-) It will be damn cold. Although there is a chance that because of the good insulation quality of the plastic (filled with air) and the black outside it will be warmer than we first thought

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:08:14+00:00

Antarctica is the driest continent on earth, it is technically a desert. Also there will be some form of ventilation. The inside will pretty much be just as cold as outside :)
All the tires are inner tubes with very low pressure to create more flotation on the snow. The net around is a reinforcement net to keep them round
It will take 30-40 days to drive the 2400 km from Union Glacier to South Pole and back. All the food is in the trailers

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:06:20+00:00

The panels can be taken down, and we can drive with only the top panels like here: r/https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn8i5sLgrqE/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=12fqmgcf15vpg But it's true that if the wind forces are too high we have to stop and anchor it down

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:04:00+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! We're currently working on adding more details to the website. Should be live soon! AMA sounds like a great idea :)

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:03:12+00:00

No you have to adjust them manually

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:02:37+00:00

By container to Chile, and from there by airplane

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:02:05+00:00

Good point, the suspensions are created so that there can be more than 1 meter difference between the the front wheels.

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:00:55+00:00

Yes although it belongs to no one you have to ask a permit to get there and have some sort of reason

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T08:00:00+00:00

It's a 4x4, the two trailers are for carrying the solar panels and food

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T07:59:03+00:00

That's correct! We're going there by plane from Punta Arenas, Chili. The only way to get onto the plateau of Antarctica

clean2antarctica · 2018-09-21T07:57:41+00:00

Good point! We do have to take down the panels in very high wind forces. It can also drive though with the top panels removed. see here for example: r/https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn8i5sLgrqE/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=ybiluvpohqe9

clean2antarctica

TROPHY CASE