Swiss solar pioneer and inventor Louis Palmer is bringing his solar-powered vehicle, the Solartaxi to UCLA Engineering on July 22.
The Solartaxi will be on display from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of Engineering IV. Free rides will be offered. The aim of Palmer’s project is to show that solutions to combat global warming are available.
Palmer will make a presentation of the design, engineering and construction of the vehicle, as well highlights of the tour from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the La Kretz Hall conference room. At 2 p.m., he will participate in a panel on solar energy, global warming and transportation.
“If we can go 30,000 miles around the planet on solar power? Why can’t we make 10 miles to go to work? The answer to this is ‘yes,’” said Tony Pereira, a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering who is organizing the Solartaxi’s visit.
The visit, presentation and panel discussion will be of interest to any member of the UCLA community who is interested in energy, transporation and climate change issues, Pereira said.
Palmer left Switzerland in July 2007. Since then, he has traveled throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Palmer is now in North America and his UCLA stop will be part of a week-long stay in Los Angeles.
For more details on the Solartaxi visit, and links to information on the vehicle, please visit the MAE department home page: www.mae.ucla.edu
Main Image: Louis Palmer and the Solartaxi in New Zealand.