Solar Power Car

Information on Solar Powered Cars

Does The Solar Power Car Exist? The technology exists and efficiency of the solar cell moves the solar powered vehicle closer to the showroom.

Solar Powered Vehicles

As the efficiency of the solar cell improves the likelihood of a solar powered vehicle entering the marketplace heightens.

How the Prototypes Work

Current solar power car prototypes operate like regular cars with the addition of a battery pack that can contain any of a number of battery types including Lithium ion batteries and Lithium polymer batteries. Also, a power electronics system monitors how much energy is being gathered, how much is being used, and controls the amount of energy stored in the battery pack.

A data acquisition system provides drivers with information about battery power, energy intake, and other important information needed to keep the car moving.

The mechanical system also differs from traditional cars in that many prototype solar cars only have three wheels. Suspension systems are similar to those found in gas-powered cars, but may include a trailer-arm rear suspension, usually used on motorcycles. Steering systems need to be in perfect alignment in order to minimize power loss. Brake systems that rely on disc brakes are often used to reduce drag.

Although prototypes exist the solar power car is still impractical to manufacture and market to the public for the following reasons:

• The amount of solar cells required to successfully power a car covers a very large surface area. ~ As I've stated on other pages on this site, size does matter, at least when you're talking solar powered cars it does. Aerodynamically speaking, any car no matter how it's powered is only practical when size and shape are taken into consideration.


• Adding any weight aside from the driver (passengers, groceries, luggage) requires the addition of more solar cells. ~ You can see the dilemma faced by designers. A family vehicle at the moment is impractical because of the amount of solar cells that would be required to propel it. At the moment there would be nothing mini about a solar powered minivan.


• A bank of batteries is required to store power to run the car when there is insufficient sunshine (at night, overast skies, underground parking facilities, etc.). ~
  
  Batteries, of course, add more weight, requiring more solar cells to carry them. Without batteries the vehicle's speed will relate directly to the amount of sunlight striking the panels at any given moment, speeding up and slowing down according to the amount of sunlight being collected by the panels at the time. A burst of speed at the driver's discretion would not be possible unless sufficient sunlight were available.
  
  This feature alone could put the driver in harm's way if he were unable to move himself quickly out of the way of oncoming traffic or other hazards. Batteries provide a consistent supply of power to the vehicle giving the driver all the options of a traditional vehicle.

Basically, it comes down to the size of solar cells and how much electricity can be squeezed out of each cell. The very same issues that plague residential solar power. Every ounce of weight that the car is expected to propel must be compensated for by the number of solar cells upon the car.

This is not to say that these limitations are insurmountable. Not at all. However, until a smaller solar cell is able to produce more power it's unlikely that you'll be seeing a pod of solar power cars in the grocery store parking lot.

Remember how big the first computers were, requiring an entire room to fit their bulk and you'll realize that it's just a matter of time before you're shopping for our own solar power car.

Sunrayces

The sunrayces have very adeptly demonstrated the future possibilities of solar powered vehicles. Cars produced for these races (pictured above) that span the US and Canada are sleek and beautiful. Sporting solar cells on every exposed surface the vehicles can reach speeds in excess of 65 miles per hour.

Solar Decathlon

Another method of using solar energy to power an electric car has been proven by the participants of the solar decathlon.

Excess power that's produced by these solar houses is fed to a small electric car which makes it a solar powered vehicle without solar panels.

The solar power car has been on the drawing board for over 30 years. Most prototypes have enough room for a driver and passenger. Any extra cargo including groceries would add undesireable weight.

Update June 7, 2008

Wow! the solar powered car technology heats up. It's only a short leap from an electric car to a solar powered vehicle. Have a look at what can be done.

As solar cells become more efficient the total area of solar panel that a solar power car requires will be reduced. Thin film photovoltaic technology will also play a huge role toward the development of the solar powered family car.

The solar power car is on it's way! Greater solar cell efficiency will improve the ability of current designs in the near future.

Visitors to our Solar Power Car page may also be interested in the following pages:

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