An optimal driving strategy for a solar powered car on an undulating road
Date
1998
Authors
Howlett, P.G.
Pudney, P.J.
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Dynamics of Continuous, Discrete and Impulsive Systems Series B: Applications and Algorithms, 1998; 4(4):553-567
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Abstract
The World Solar Challenge is a 3000km race for solar powered cars across the Australian continent from Darwin to Adelaide. Each car is powered by a panel of photovoltaic cells which convert solar irradiance to electrical power. The power can be used directly to drive the car or stored for later use. In this paper we use a simple model of a typical solar car to find a driving strategy that maximises the distance travelled in a single day. We show that the optimal driving strategy is a modified speedholding strategy with an upper holding speed and a lower holding speed. When solar power is high the upper holding speed is maintained and excess power is stored in the energy storage system. When solar power is low the lower holding speed is maintained and additional power is drawn from the energy storage system.
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