About this project
Michael Polák from the Czech Republic calls himself a geek: ex-programmer, ex-musician, internet service provider and fan of decentralised social networks. He rode the big Sun Trips of 2015, 2018 and 2024.

His machine is closer to a solar motorcycle: a two-wheel recumbent built on a cargo bike frame, with an aerodynamic cargo box, a 1,000 W direct-drive front motor with regenerative braking, a 21 Ah Li-ion battery stepped up to 48 V, and three flexible 150 Wp ETFE panels as roof and front panel (450 Wp). Top speed about 40 km/h, weight about 70 kg.
“Most Czechs are sceptical about renewable energies, so I am seeking a fun and cool way to communicate the possibilities.” He posts on Mastodon as @xchaos.

Technical data
| Rider | Michael Polák (Czech Republic) |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Two-wheel cargo recumbent with aero box |
| Motor | 1,000 W direct drive front, regen braking |
| Battery | 21 Ah Li-ion, step-up to 48 V |
| Solar | 3 × 150 Wp flexible ETFE (450 Wp) |
| Speed / weight | ~40 km/h, ~70 kg |
| Sun Trip | 2015, 2018, 2024 |
Links
- Mastodon: @xChaos@f.cz
Sources
Photos and details come from the rider’s profile on The Sun Trip website.
Keep exploringMore solar projects
2 WheelsMaren Herb – A Converted Bike That Fits on the Train
2 WheelsCamille & Auguste Colle – Solar Tandem on The Sun Trip 2018
2 Wheels · TrailerMickaël Joguet – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2018
BoatsSunCat 120 – Berlin’s Solar Catamaran on the Spree
BoatsSerpentine Solar Shuttle – London’s Solar Boat in Hyde Park
2 WheelsThéophile Vermersch – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2022
4 WheelsGreen Lightning & Green Thunder – Top Dutch Solar Racing
2 WheelsAlex Renard – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2022
2 WheelsStéphane Bujadoux – Aventures Solaires on a Nazca Recumbent
2 Wheels · TrailerPatrick Abrams – From Cycle2Sydney to a Solar Trailer
2 WheelsPeter Helsen – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2018
2 WheelsDario Ciani – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2023
2 Wheels · TrailerDirk Huyghe & Jan Goedertier – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2015
2 WheelsFrancois Guille – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2019
2 Wheels · TrailerEymeric Thuliez – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2018
3 WheelsThomas Papay – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2015
2 WheelsAlain Ietter – Solar Cargo Bike on The Sun Trip 2023
2 Wheels · TrailerAntoine Conort – A Budget Solar Bike from Decathlon Parts
4 WheelsStella Lux – The Energy-Positive Family Car
3 WheelsMidnight Sun – Waterloo’s Solar Cars and a 15,070 km Record
2 WheelsBruno Bertaud – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2023
2 WheelsAnick-Marie Bouchard – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2013
2 WheelsJean-Claude Trouche – An Azub Six Recumbent with Enviolo Hub
2 WheelsStéphane Caffo – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2022
3 WheelsLaurence & Christian – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2021
3 WheelsSibylle Felder – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2021
2 Wheels · TrailerOlivier Reginensi – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2015
2 WheelsDidier & Michèle Helmstetter – Solar Tandem on The Sun Trip 2023
2 WheelsDIY Off-Grid Solar E-Bike by Andreas Lemmer
3 WheelsDidier Vandenhove – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2021
2 WheelsMichel Mittler – Solar Cargo Bike on The Sun Trip 2026
3 WheelsSibylle & Daniel – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2021
2 Wheels · TrailerEric Malmezac – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2022
2 WheelsSilvia & Christophe – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2019
2 WheelsRichard Lebrun – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2022
4 WheelsSunswift 7 – 1,000 km on One Charge in Under 12 Hours
2 WheelsGrégory Lewyllie – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2018
BoatsAlstersonne – Hamburg’s Solar Boat on the Alster
2 Wheels · TrailerLucaci Arnold Vasile – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2024
2 WheelsSylvain Machefert – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2013
2 WheelsShawn Ryan – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2026
2 WheelsPhilippe Passard – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2021
3 WheelsPaul Bermejo – A 78-Year-Old on a Solar Velotechnik Trike
3 Wheels · TrailerEmmanuel Mury – Solar Velomobile on The Sun Trip 2026
2 WheelsSunnyclist – A Greek Solar Bicycle with 360 W
3 WheelsCorinne Courvalin – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2018
4 WheelsSquad Solar City Car – A Solar Microcar for Everyday Errands
3 WheelsNuna 3 – Delft’s Record Run at 102.75 km/h
PlanesNASA Centurion – The 63-Metre Step Between Pathfinder and Helios
3 WheelsOrganic Transit ELF – The Solar Velomobile
5+ WheelsLunokhod 2 – 39 km on the Moon, a Record for 41 Years
BoatsSun21 – The First Solar Boat Across the Atlantic
4 WheelsThe Big Lemon – The UK’s First Solar-Powered Bus
2 Wheels · TrailerMiguel Letor – A Fresh Engineer on a Borrowed Solar Trailer
2 WheelsYoussef et Mohammed – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2018
2 WheelsJonathan Maire – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2022
3 WheelsLaurent Demeyer – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2026
3 WheelsXOF1 – Marcelo da Luz’s Solar Car to the Arctic Ocean
3 WheelsElise et Denis – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2015
3 WheelsBay2Bay – Two Belgian Solar Trikes with 500 W Roofs
PlanesSolar Riser – The First Human Flight on Solar Power (1979)
Planesicaré 2 – The Solar Glider from Stuttgart
3 WheelsSebastian MEYER – Solar Trike on The Sun Trip 2021
3 WheelsStanford Luminos – 10,000 Safe Miles and 4th in the World
2 WheelsNTS SunCycle – The Solar Cargo Bike
TrailerSolarTrails
2 WheelsJean-Yves Schneeberger – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2017
2 WheelsRoger Caulier – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2022
2 WheelsRain & Ryan – Solar Bike on The Sun Trip 2019
Trailerthe Tin Tent
