Researchers Team Up with BMW to Create an EV That Generates More Energy Than It Consumes (5 Photos)
Clemson University engineers, in partnership with BMW, have developed a unique two-seater electric vehicle called Deep Orange 17, also known as Luminetta. The concept aims to tackle one of the biggest hurdles facing EVs: the constant need to plug into a charging station. 
The vehicle's standout feature lies in its solar "skin." Engineers placed over 1,700 photovoltaic cells across the bodywork, utilizing technology co-developed with Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
The system continues to generate power even when partially shaded. As a result, the car collects electricity not only while on the move, but also while sitting in the sun for hours.
The prototype weighs just 550 kilograms, achieved through a multi-material architecture combining steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and various 3D-printed components. Thanks to its low mass, the concept requires less energy to move.
Essentially, the entire body acts as a mobile solar generator. Considering typical weather in South Carolina, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Mumbai, the Luminetta can gain an average of roughly 50 km of extra range per day.
The concept is not currently intended for mass production; rather, it serves as a research platform exploring what an energy-positive electric vehicle might look like. 
