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On April 9, the Sombreros food truck on the University of Virginia (UVA) grounds ran on renewable energy, thanks to a student-led group called CVille Solar Project. The group, led by undergraduate student Nora Wilkerson, provided lead-acid batteries charged by solar panels to power the food truck. This was the second time the group had powered Sombreros, and owner Bernardo Martinez was pleased with the consistent performance.
Martinez uses the food truck to prepare and serve his dishes, and the power provided by the solar panels allowed him to keep his sandwich station, fridge, laptop, and printer running for around an hour and a half. The students from CVille Solar Project monitored the truck’s energy usage and ensured that the solar panels were providing enough power.
According to Wilkerson, the batteries are portable and can be charged with solar panels, which allows for the storage of energy. This, in turn, enables the group to take the energy anywhere, making it a sustainable and efficient solution. Patel, the president of CVille Solar Project, emphasized that the group’s goal is to raise awareness about the ease of implementing renewable energy and the importance of transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
This initiative is part of CVille Solar Project’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and reduce the university’s carbon footprint. In the fall, the group powered the Lighting of the Lawn event on UVA’s campus. The success of this project demonstrates the potential for solar energy to power food trucks and other events, and serves as an example for other institutions to follow.