Haslett Students to Take Homemade Solar Car from New York to Los Angeles

HASLETT, Mich. (WLNS) — Three college students have been building a solar car for seven years. They built it in Haslett, and their goal is to drive it from New York to Los Angeles.

They call him “Sun Strider.”

The project began when they were still high school students. Kyle Samluk, Will Jones and Danny Ezzo planned to make the trip in 2021.

“It wasn’t a complete success,” Jones said. “It was definitely a success that we designed and built that car and got to New York and started driving it, but we ended up having to retire in Indiana.”

Jones says the car had trouble climbing the Appalachian Mountains, which put a huge strain on the electrical system.

“On the way back from Indiana after the first attempt, we realized pretty quickly that we wanted to do it again and we wanted to try it again,” Ezzo said.

Now, three years later, they have regrouped and created a new, improved version.

“One of the most important things we did was make this car a lot lighter,” Samluk said. “We made it smaller, and we have a smaller solar panel.”

They claim that thanks to some changes to the suspension and tires, the Sun Strider is better in every way than their first model.

“Every penny we made at jobs was summer internships we put into that car,” Jones said.

After working about 80 hours a week, using their own money and resources, they believe they have created something that has a message.

“It’s kind of like the dream that not only can you build a solar car that can drive across the country, but you can do it cheaply,” Jones continued. “You don’t see it when it’s in a field or on a roof, but when it’s driving down the road, it really gets people excited about renewable energy and solar technology.”

Now the three friends are preparing for a cross-country road trip next week. The sun like a cannonball.

“Overall, the team is feeling a little nervous, definitely excited,” Ezzo said. “We’re confident in the car and its capabilities.”