Energy Saving » planning

ARE PLUG IN HYBRID VEHICLES PLANNING TO INCLUDE A SOLAR PANEL FOR THEIR ROOF?

admin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:36:35 +0000

Question by energy dreamer:
Are plug in hybrid automobiles planning to include a solar panel for their roof?
If a solar panel could be carried in the trunk of a car and was put on the roof once we arrived at our sunny 20-40 mile destination and we stayed there for several hours or a complete work day, it seems it could be locked in place to avoid theft and make at least a partial charge for the drive home. If this is reasonable, what would be the minimum kw panel needed to avoid having to use any fuel?

——————————————

Answer by Dana1981, Master of Science
One is. Aptera is making an EV and plug-in hybrid which will have a solar panel on the roof.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-01-10-aptera_N.htm

http://aptera.com/

Also the ZAP-X EV is supposed to have nano solar cells in its windows.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles

And the ZAP Xebra Xero has a solar panel on top.

http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-xero-truck

And you can alter current hybrids to add a solar panel to the roof.

http://4wheelsblog.com/prototypes/solar-power-option-for-toyota-prius

But I do not think the major auto companies (i.e. Chevy Volt) are planning on putting solar panels on their plug-ins.

Answer by fred
Solar Electrical Cars specializing in adding a convex solar roof to hybrid cars. The solar modules are rated at 200-300 watts, and this power is utilized to charge a supplemental battery. With the solar roof, the Toyota Prius can operate up to 20 miles per day in electric mode

http://www.batteryvehiclesociety.org.uk/wordpress/?p=121

also see http://solarvan.co.uk/

but generally it is more efficient to have a home based system that can be optimised for size and direction/shading and avoid carrying the extra weight around; Tesla http://www.teslamotors.com offer such a service

Answer by adio_J
Tobe efficient, you would need about 4KW of panels. That wuld be as many square feet as the wings of a small sized airplane. Not appropriate.

——————————————
Add your own answer in the comments!

CAN A 18W SOLAR PANEL CHARGE TWO CAR BATTERIES? I AM PLANNING GOING SOLAR, THANKS?

admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:35:08 +0000

Question by geeks_gadgets:
Can a 18W solar panel charge two automobile batteries? I am planning going solar, thanks?
And also, can I connect the 18watt solar panel to a 800 watt power inverter?
I wanna use a automobile battery to charge home stuffs. I wanna connect the Inverter, the batteries and the solar panel. I just wanna know in a sunny day will it charge the whole battery? I just want the inverter to convert the power from the battery.

——————————————

Answer by Keith
The automobile batteries will charge fine but slow, if the panels output is over the 12.5v that automobile batteries usually sit at. Also, the panels voltage output might get loaded down by the automobile batteries and not get charged. Automobiles charging systems usually put out 14.1 to 14.4v to keep the battery charged. The 800 watt power inverter might be basically worthless with only 18w going into it.

——————————————
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

CAN A 18W SOLAR PANEL CHARGE TWO CAR BATTERIES? I AM PLANNING GOING SOLAR, THANKS?

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:29:34 +0000

And also, can I connect the 18watt solar panel to a 800 watt power inverter?
I wanna use a automobile battery to charge home stuffs. I wanna connect the Inverter, the batteries and the solar panel. I just wanna know in a sunny day will it charge the whole battery? I just want the inverter to convert the power from the battery.