I don't think the world is ready yet for solar vehicles. While hybrids and ev's are starting to gain popularity and the natural evolution is to go solar, it is still very early for mass acceptance. Unless you have a few hundred million to invest in prototyping and developing the products, it may not receive enough traction to make it worthwhile yet. Companies like Tesla will be the natural sources to get their energy from solar versus plugging in.
So far, it hasn't seemed to do anything but add a few more miles to the electric car -- such as the Karma Revero and the Fisker Ocean with solar panels on their roofs. These solar panels might be adding a few miles, but the ability to drive 200 or more miles will come from the battery pack. The best they can do for now is generate electric power from photovoltaic modules and store the solar energy in batteries. There are research groups, sometimes university teams in competition, that are working on solar electric cars, but they don't have much driving range.
That's a tough question. I have often thought about adding solar panels to cars to have them charge while people are at work. The batteries today take a very big voltage to charge quickly. You'll have to analyze whether the extra cost will actually benefit. If you only extend the range 25 miles after charging for 8 hours then it will not be cost effective.
On their own the answer is no. There is not enough surface on the average vehicle to collect enough sun tower that vehicle for any period of time. In my opinion an electric car with a small gas or diesel motor that runs a generator that charges the on board batteries supplemented with solar cells on the roof is an ideal option. It should get well over 200 mpg and not be a strain on our over used electrical grid. we are stupid pushing electric cars when cities like Phoenix charge a fine if you turn your washer/dryer on before 7pm. You can have air conditioning or an electrical car, but not both! How many new generating plants are being built? None!
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Answers (21-30)
I don't think the world is ready yet for solar vehicles. While hybrids and ev's are starting to gain popularity and the natural evolution is to go solar, it is still very early for mass acceptance. Unless you have a few hundred million to invest in prototyping and developing the products, it may not receive enough traction to make it worthwhile yet. Companies like Tesla will be the natural sources to get their energy from solar versus plugging in.
Danny Goltche yes why not.
Not likely. Unstable weather patterns. Not as reliable in my opinion.
Maybe in some States like Arizona or Texas or California
Kim
Probably not a big market in this area.
I would not invest in a solar car anytime soon.
Electric, definitely. Solar? Fixed system or boonie emergency charging will do well early on.
Stanley Steamer was an excellent car. What killed it was the inability to go instantly when needed.
You had to build a head of steam.
Old fart golf carts in Florida might be a perfect nitch.
I am of the opinion that solar vehicles are completely impractical, not enough power to make them viable.
So far, it hasn't seemed to do anything but add a few more miles to the electric car -- such as the Karma Revero and the Fisker Ocean with solar panels on their roofs. These solar panels might be adding a few miles, but the ability to drive 200 or more miles will come from the battery pack. The best they can do for now is generate electric power from photovoltaic modules and store the solar energy in batteries. There are research groups, sometimes university teams in competition, that are working on solar electric cars, but they don't have much driving range.
That's a tough question. I have often thought about adding solar panels to cars to have them charge while people are at work. The batteries today take a very big voltage to charge quickly. You'll have to analyze whether the extra cost will actually benefit. If you only extend the range 25 miles after charging for 8 hours then it will not be cost effective.
On their own the answer is no. There is not enough surface on the average vehicle to collect enough sun tower that vehicle for any period of time. In my opinion an electric car with a small gas or diesel motor that runs a generator that charges the on board batteries supplemented with solar cells on the roof is an ideal option. It should get well over 200 mpg and not be a strain on our over used electrical grid.
we are stupid pushing electric cars when cities like Phoenix charge a fine if you turn your washer/dryer on before 7pm. You can have air conditioning or an electrical car, but not both! How many new generating plants are being built? None!