How to Build a Solar Model Car

Build a frame for the car out of balsa wood, sticking the pieces together with glue. Make the frame rectangular and roughly the same size as your solar panel. Larger solar panels generate more power, therefore making your car faster.

Drill holes in the ends of the frame, about 1-inch from the narrow ends of the frame, so the holes line up with each other. Push the axles through these holes, with a toy gear on one of these axles.

Attach a gear to the motor. Mount the motor on the side of the frame so that the gear meshes with the gear on the axle. You may want to attach a piece of balsa wood to make a mount for the motor.

Connect the wheels to the ends of the axles.

Wire the solar panel into the motor. Attach the positive terminal of the motor to the negative terminal on the solar panel, and complete the circuit by joining the other two terminals. As soon as the circuit is complete, the wheels will start turning.

Assemble the body of the car out of card stock. Solar cars are typically low to the ground, teardrop-shaped, and made of a light material, so card stock is ideal, although you can use some other material for the body if you wish. See some reference photos of existing solar cars under Resources.

Mount the solar panel on the top of the car. ideally at a slight angle to increase the impact of the sun. When the sun hits the solar panel, the car will start rolling.