SUNNYCLIST L7EC PROJECT

Sunnyclist L7e-C

The new prototype of Sunnyclist is a four-wheeled vehicle belonging to the category L7e-C. Its development began in 2019 with the support of the Region of Crete and is subsidized by Action 4.f.1-“Partnerships of Enterprises with Research and Knowledge Dissemination Organizations, for the promotion of low-carbon technologies“.

New design

The vehicle includes an installed power of the photovoltaic generator that increases to 780W. However, the half energy cells are hidden and only extend when the vehicle is parked. In this way, an elegant design with good aerodynamics is achieved, while maintaining solar energy sufficiency. The design belongs to the industrial designer Michalis Roulios.

Safe frame – Crash Test Simulation

In collaboration with the Technical University of Crete, the new prototype will have a robust aluminum frame which has been studied with Crash Test simulation using a specialized software package from the company BETA CAE Systems S.A.

New electronic systems achieving a full Energy Management System

In collaboration with the CommonsLab company, an intelligent prototype energy management system was developed, so that the user has all the information needed in order to control the route and the energy status of the vehicle. In addition, a trip computer application was developed for android devices collecting vehicle energy data from the weather forecast (sunshine), and is specially configured for the Sunnyclist to accurately predict the energy status of the vehicle during the journey. For this purpose, original electronic systems were developed communicating with each other via CAN BUS. Communication with smart devices is done via bluetooth.

Previous prototypes

The L7eC project started in 2011 as an ambitious plan to produce a three-wheel vehicle that would initially be able to move autonomously, with no need for charging infrastructure. From 2011 to 2018, three prototypes were developed.

The round of Crete by a solar vehicle

In the context of the European Mobility Week 2014, Crete’s first tour by a solar car was held covering 800 kilometers in five days, thus proving the feasibility of the Sunnyclist concept.

Awards

(2016) Third place in the Innovation Competition – NBG Business Seeds of the National Bank of Greece.

(2015) Our company was supported by the business incubator “Together at the start” of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) in order to develop business skills.

(2013) First place in the Innovation Competition “Mentoring Start Up” organized by the Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) and the Diogenes Business Incubator University of Cyprus.

(2013) Excellence in the “Balkan Venture Forum” start-up entrepreneurship competition organized by Europe Unlimited.

(2013) Participation in the 100 best green business ideas pan-European, at the “European Venture Forum” competition in Düsseldorf.