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self-charging solar motorcycle by MASK architects frees riders from fuel and power networks
SOLARIS features retractable photovoltaic wings that form the core of the motorcycle's solar-harvesting system.
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SOLARIS: World’s First Self-Charging Solar Motorcycle
MASK Architects introduces SOLARIS, a self-charging solar motorcycle developed as part of the studio’s ‘Invent and Integrate’ design approach led by founders Öznur Pınar Cer and Danilo Petta. The project explores autonomous mobility through a vehicle capable of generating its own power without reliance on fuel, electrical grids, or commercial charging networks.
SOLARIS operates as a fully solar-powered system. Its defining feature is a set of retractable circular photovoltaic wings that unfold to collect sunlight and supply energy to an integrated lithium storage unit. When parked, the motorcycle functions as its own charging station; in use, it runs as an electric vehicle powered exclusively by solar intake. The concept establishes a transportation model based on energy independence and site-free operation. The design incorporates a biomimetic formal language inspired by the movement and structural proportions of a leopard. This reference informs the elongated front geometry, the structural frame, and the aerodynamic stance of the motorcycle. The formal decisions support balance, performance, and airflow while shaping the vehicle’s visual identity.
MASK Architects Breaks the Global Mobility Business Model
Mechanically, SOLARIS includes a high-torque electric motor, a regenerative braking system that recovers kinetic energy, and a lightweight aluminum–carbon composite chassis engineered for rigidity and reduced weight. The design team integrates an intelligent solar-energy management system that monitors collection, storage, and distribution in real time. A digital cockpit and optional app connectivity provide performance data and solar-charging metrics. The solar-powered configuration positions SOLARIS as a mobility proposal for contexts where access to fuel or charging infrastructure is limited. Potential applications include remote regions, protected landscapes, developing communities, and urban programs focused on low-emission transportation. The absence of fuel consumption and external energy demand also reduces operational costs and maintenance compared to conventional electric motorcycles.
As a research and design case, SOLARIS demonstrates MASK Architects’ ongoing interest in integrating technological autonomy with form-driven expression. The project presents a model of mobility in which vehicles operate independently of external energy networks, emphasizing renewable power generation, material efficiency, and environmental impact reduction.
project info:
name: SOLARIS
designer: MASK Architects | @maskarchitects
lead designers: Öznur Pınar Cer, Danilo Petta
