The design of Eclipse 9 marks a return to basics for the ÉTS team. After the hard financial and logistical ordeal that was Eclipse 8, the birth of a new prototype was the key to  putting the project back on the path to success. The car was designed by combining the ultra-safe regulations of the ASC with the more modern regulations of the WSC. The team was therefore forced to create a vehicle with 4 wheels and a length of 4.5 meters which can accommodate a driver in a seated position. It is thanks to the participation of important partners that the Eclipse 9 team managed to make a light and efficient vehicle while learning a lot about the foundations of solar car design. 

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American Solar Challenge 2016

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The American Solar Challenge 2016  was a very formative competition for the team, although exhausting. The team first had to work to solve several electrical problems of the car at the same time to participate in the technical inspections. Then, at the Formula Sun Grand Prix, after a successful first day, the second day was slowed by a major engine wiring break, which prevented the team from taking part in the first half of the race day, which relegated the team to a lower position in the standings. Subsequently, during the American Solar Challenge, the car demonstrated excellent reliability, although its overall performance was diminished by its poor aerodynamic properties. The team also faced several misfortunes such as a violent storm in the middle of Nebraska, which lost more than 3 hours of racing.

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Formula Sun Grand Prix 2017

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The FSGP 2017 was an experience at odds with that of the previous year. The Eclipse 9.1 team, well prepared for any eventuality, literally flew through the static and dynamic technical inspections in less than 24 hours, to then have a rest day to polish the car before the start of the race. The first day of racing was an incredible surprise for the whole team, as Eclipse 9.1 completed more laps than all the other teams. Unfortunately, on the second day of racing, the car's single engine (the other having failed during testing the previous month) began to offer more resistance due to a failing bearing. The team tried everything to keep the car functional by reducing the cruising speed, to no avail. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the day that_cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ the bearing failed and the motor stuck, ending the competition. The Eclipse 9.1 team still finished  in 4th place, in addition to gaining a lot of confidence and experience.

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• Highlights:
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  • 8th at ASC 2016

  • 4th at the 2017 FSGP, despite an engine failure in the middle of the last day of racing

  • Sportsmanship Award at FSGP 2017 due to the team's positive and competitive attitude throughout the event

  • 7th at the 2016 FSGP
     

• Technical characteristics:
   

  • Car weight: 220 kg

  • Dimensions of the car (lxwxh): 4.5 x 1.8 x 1.15 m

  • Battery type: Li-ion

  • Battery weight: 20 kg

  • Battery capacity: 5kWh

  • Maximum power of solar panels: 1400 W

  • Motor type: Three-phase AC with permanent magnets

  • Number of motors: 2

  • Engine power CSiro/Marand: 1.8 kW

  • Chassis Material: Titanium

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