I believe that solar cars produces zero harmful emissions,does not require expensive fuel.Since the sun is available to everyone at all times during the day, and at no cost, the solar car does not require any refuelling and oil changes. This means that on a nice sunny day, you can drive non-stop all day. Ofcourse, it will not be useful for a long drive.
So why are there no solar cars on the road?
Solar energy is a great thing, dont get me wrong, but not for cars. I have seen tons of solar electric concept cars and they all have the same fundimental problems:
1: the car doesnt have enough surface area to produce adiquate electricity to run a descent size vehicle. All of the solar cars i have seen are incredibly small (single person) and only get up to about 40 MPH and are very light and fragile.
2: You are limited to the sunlight in the sky. So if you get stuck in a storm, your out of luck and your energy source is gone so you are just sitting there waiting out the storm (or nightfall for that matter).
Personally I do beleive that solar panels do have their place in cars, but more as a “battery recharger” on a hybrid or electric car. I just think about the 8 hours that my car sits in the blistering sun while I am at work. Instead of just “getting hot” that car could have some solar panels on the top and could be recharging some batteries.
I would love to eventually convert it to an electric car and just have the sun recharge it while i work, this way I would never have to get gas.
Please keep in mind any harmful emissions that may come about from the production of solar panels, as well. I’m not sure what the process is, but I’m guessing that it isn’t completely “green.” Of course, the process could be improved…
The more green producing things we produce the more green power gets pummped back into the system.
I cannot speak for any companies that make solar panels, but I do know of a couple who do pride themselves on running a very green operation in the manufacturing plant.
I have to agree with Adam on this one - As wonderful as solar powered cars sound, the sun doesn’t always shine and not everyone can survive with a single seat car. The scope for their use is also heavily limited - Here in the UK for example, we can go for weeks on end with little or no real sunshine which would render a solar powered vehicle all but useless.
Again, hybrids are the answer - They aren’t quite as powerful as petrol or diesel powered cars but they aren’t far behind, are much better for the environment and cost very little to run.
There are a fair few hybrids now available on the market, and whilst they haven’t come right down in price yet, more and more are likely to go that route with the ever rising cost of fuel.
Great link Adam - that’s a significant price drop on some of the other solar panel conversion kits on the market at the moment. With any luck it’ll persuade more people to look into hybrids, particularly if they are able to effectively power their cars for free.
Are there plans to produce them for more models in the future?
Personally I do beleive that solar panels do have their place in cars, but more as a “battery recharger” on a hybrid or electric car. I just think about the 8 hours that my car sits in the blistering sun while I am at work. Instead of just “getting hot” that car could have some solar panels on the top and could be recharging some batteries.
I would love to eventually convert it to an electric car and just have the sun recharge it while i work, this way I would never have to get gas.
I agree with you statement as well. I would like to see it as you have stated because it would be a great for traveling as well. From what I understand the electric car has to be plugged in every few hundred miles or less in order to keep traveling. If you could recharge the electric battery this way it would save on pull over time. And charge while you are not in it during the day. This would allow you to be able to travel at night.
I do agree that solar power has it uses but I wouldn’t buy a solar powered car. There are, at this time, more disadvantages than benefits. I am more in favor of the hybrids and using the solar panel as a battery recharger. I have seen a few prius on the road here but not as many as I had expected.
[quote author=“Alan”]Ofcourse, it will not be useful for a long drive.
So why are there no solar cars on the road?
Without even reading Adam’s reply I think one reason would be cost. Think how expensive a solar car would be to produce. Electric cars didn’t sell well. Why do you think a solar car would?
I would buy solar power for homes, but not for a car unless I was never going anywhere other than places nearby. I think that the idea is good but what happens when you do not have the sunlight…are you going to have enough solar power reserved to drive.
[quote author=“adambeazley”]Well i agree and dissagree at the same time.
Solar energy is a great thing, dont get me wrong, but not for cars. I have seen tons of solar electric concept cars and they all have the same fundimental problems:
1: the car doesnt have enough surface area to produce adiquate electricity to run a descent size vehicle. All of the solar cars i have seen are incredibly small (single person) and only get up to about 40 MPH and are very light and fragile.
2: You are limited to the sunlight in the sky. So if you get stuck in a storm, your out of luck and your energy source is gone so you are just sitting there waiting out the storm (or nightfall for that matter).
Personally I do beleive that solar panels do have their place in cars, but more as a “battery recharger” on a hybrid or electric car. I just think about the 8 hours that my car sits in the blistering sun while I am at work. Instead of just “getting hot” that car could have some solar panels on the top and could be recharging some batteries.
I would love to eventually convert it to an electric car and just have the sun recharge it while i work, this way I would never have to get gas.
Why only 40 MPH? Can’t they design a way for the car to run on a back up power?
