Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-09-07 Origin: Site
According to recent reports from Australian media，in August 2026, a solar-powered ambulance named "Stella Juva" completed a real-world road test covering over 800 kilometers across the vast expanse of East Africa. It was developed over the course of about a year by a team of 23 students from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, operating under the name "Solar Team Eindhoven." The vehicle was air-freighted to Kenya by Cargolux Airlines International and subsequently tested in partnership with the non-governmental organization Amref Health Africa.
The futuristic vehicle, painted in yellow, black, and white, is equipped with solar panels on its roof, allowing it to continuously recharge while driving. When parked, additional solar panels can be extended from the sides of the vehicle to harvest even more energy. Tests proved that Stella Juva generates more solar power than it consumes when all medical equipment is in use while stationary—meaning it can operate completely off-grid and independent of fossil fuels.
Unlike conventional ambulances that rush patients to emergency rooms in cities, Stella Juva is designed for remote areas where electricity and hospitals are scarce—it is built to function as a clinic in its own right.
At the heart of the vehicle are high-efficiency solar cells mounted on the roof. These are "all-back-contact" cells manufactured by Chinese solar company AIKO, which feature all electrical contacts placed on the rear side, eliminating grid lines on the front surface. According to Australian media reports, this design allows the cells to capture sunlight more effectively even on cloudy days.
The vehicle also incorporates durability-enhancing technologies. By integrating copper wiring and using a metalization process that avoids silver, the team prevented micro-cracks in the solar cells caused by vibrations from driving on unpaved roads. The roof also carries a battery pack, ensuring that medical equipment can continue operating even at night or during prolonged storms.
The electrical system is also noteworthy: the drive system and the medical bay's power supply are completely separated. Even if the vehicle's driving power is depleted and it comes to a halt, the remaining battery power is prioritized for medical equipment to continue emergency treatment.
Lighter solar vehicles can travel farther, but an ambulance must carry a wide range of medical devices, making weight reduction difficult. The team solved this by constructing the chassis and body from lightweight carbon-fiber composite materials used in the aerospace industry. As a result, the vehicle weighs only 1,350 kilograms—less than half the weight of a conventional ambulance, which ranges from 3,500 to 6,350 kg.
The body is shaped into a smooth, teardrop-like curve to reduce aerodynamic drag. Australian media reported: "On a sunny day, it can travel up to 715 kilometers per day on solar power alone, with a top speed of 120 km/h."
The internal medical bay features adjustable temperature and humidity controls and can serve as an independent emergency room. It is equipped with a portable X-ray machine, an ultrasound device for prenatal checkups, rapid malaria diagnostic tools, an automated external defibrillator (AED), and more. A high-performance refrigeration unit ensures that vaccines and medicines can be safely stored even in hot climates.
source:腾讯，搜狐
