Louis Palmer…a man from Switzerland...is touring the world by car and has arrived in D.C.

He has driven through nearly 40 countries without spending a penny on gasoline.

Jessica Forres got to ride along with Palmer in his car…powered entirely by the sun.

LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

[NAT: Seat Belt Buckle. ]

Louis Palmer buckles up before driving his DOORLESS, two-seater "SolarTaxi". The tiny, blue and white painted car pulls a 16-foot-long trailer covered with solar cells.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO HAVE SOLAR CELLS ON THE CAR. LEAVE THEM ON THE TOP OF YOUR HOUSE WHERE THERE IS SPACE; WHEN YOU ARE AT HOME YOU FEED THE ELECTRICITY INTO YOUR BATTERY.

Palmer has driven more than 30-thousand miles in five continents since the summer of 2007. His mission is to show the world one solution to global warming.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS HERE BUT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, THE GOVERNMENTS DON'T KNOW. NOBODY REALLY KNOWS ABOUT IT.

[NAT: I'M JUST INDICATING THAT I TURN TO THE RIGHT SO THIS CAR IS ACTUALLY AS SIMPLE AS ANY OTHER CAR; IT'S ACTUALLY EVEN MORE SIMPLE BECAUSE THERE'S NO CLUTCH AND NO GEAR...AND COMPARED TO ANOTHER CAR I HAVE THREE HORNS.]

He says it would cost about 10-thousand dollars to manufacture the car and about 5-thousand dollars for solar cells that would give the car enough power to travel about 15,000 miles a year.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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Louis Palmer, a man from Switzerland, has driven through nearly five continents without stopping for gas.

He is here in D.C. and Jessica Forres got to ride in his car powered entirely by the sun.

LISTEN TO THE SECOND STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

[NAT: I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO MAKE IT]

Louis Palmer has trouble reversing his innovative car...that's because it's towing a 16-foot long trailer covered in solar cells.

THE SOLAR PANNELS ARE NOW ON THE TRAILER JUST FOR THE WORLD TOUR THAT I CAN SHOW TO THE PEOPLE THAT IT'S REALLY SOLAR POWERED...BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO HAVE SOLAR CELLS ON THE CAR. LEAVE THEM ON THE TOP OF YOUR HOUSE.

His mission is to teach people about solar technology … and it seems to be working.
Nilufer Oral, a student, gazes at the car.

WHAT IT SHOWED ACTUALLY, NUMBER ONE IF YOU HAVE A VISION YOU CAN DO IT AND YOU HEAR A LOT OF NAYSAYERS ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY BUT CLEARLY IT CAN BE DONE.

His next stop is Philadelphia.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News.