Clemson University has unveiled Deep Orange 17, a solar-integrated electric vehicle (EV) prototype designed to generate more energy than it consumes during a typical day of urban commuting.
Developed by graduate automotive engineering students in collaboration with BMW’s research and development team, the prototype explores how solar generation, vehicle mass, aerodynamics, power electronics, and drivetrain controls can work together to reduce dependence on external charging.
The 16 students who developed Deep Orange 17 with Program Director Greg Mocko. (Image: Clemson News | Clemson University)
More than 1,700 photovoltaic cells are integrated into the vehicle’s exterior surfaces, allowing the system to collect energy while parked or in motion. The solar panels, developed with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, are designed to continue generating power when parts of the vehicle are shaded.
The team modeled solar availability in Greenville, South Carolina; Frankfurt, Germany; Madrid, Spain; and Mumbai, India. Based on a daily commute of 12 miles, or 20 kilometers, the prototype generated enough surplus solar energy to provide an average of 31 additional miles, or 50 kilometers, of driving range across the four locations.
“This is a project we’ve wanted to pursue for years, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see this group of students come together over the last two years, overcome so many technical challenges and constraints, and bring an energy-positive vehicle to life,” said Stephan Augustin, project manager of research and new technologies at BMW.
Deep Orange 17 weighs 1,212 pounds, or 550 kilograms. Its multi-material chassis combines structural steel with aluminum, carbon-fiber members, and 3D-printed metal joints to reduce mass while maintaining structural performance.
The vehicle also incorporates regenerative braking, intelligent torque distribution, and optimized drivetrain controls to recover energy and improve overall efficiency. Its exterior shape draws on the aerodynamic characteristics of the boxfish to reduce drag without significantly limiting interior space.
“This was an incredibly challenging project, not only to create a working energy-positive prototype, but to demonstrate how a vehicle can become increasingly energy independent through solar integration,” said Harsh Manghnani, Deep Orange team member and solar integration lead. “Seeing our initial research and design validated in a working prototype has been incredibly rewarding.”
Research on the prototype will continue at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville. Deep Orange 17 is also scheduled to appear at CES 2027 in Las Vegas.
Read more about the Deep Orange 17 solar EV prototype and the research behind it in this Clemson University’s original article by Jordan Plumblee. Learn more about Deep Orange 17 and Clemson’s Deep Orange program here.
Filed Under: Technology News