The American Solar Challenge is on again in July/August 2021 (hopefully), and the World Solar Challenge in Australia follows in October 2021 (again, Deo volente). As the pictures above from Canadian team Midnight Sun/Waterloo illustrate, chassis/suspension + aerodynamics/electrics = a solar car.
How that equation works out in practice can vary. The World Solar Challenge has now allowed three-wheeled cars again, and Chalmers Solar Team from Sweden is taking advantage of this to build a sleek tadpole three-wheeler called Sköll (render below). Other teams are still frantically designing new cars. The big-name teams hope to reveal completed cars in July. Good luck and Happy New Year to all!
Scientific Gems 