Solar “Revolutionize” Cars
solar car
Solar Cars. Sun emits light-also known as the solar energy and you may have studied and heard about solar energy being used for many of purposes in human life.
Since the mid of the 19th century, solar powered cars have been exist. Solar powered car has simple mechanism. The solar energy charge batteries installed in these light bodied cars. Then the solar energy is converted into electrical energy thus helps the motor run.
There doesn’t seem to be any such problem with these cars since the sun shines everyday. However, the amount of energy stored at a time by solar cars enables them to drive at a slow pace. The steep and not leveled road will cause them requires even more energy. It will need more storage capacity and more powerful batteries.
Solar cars or solar enhanced cars are definitely in the near future. Toyota’s Prius, for example has an optional solar panel that powers it’s ventilation system totally.
The ventilation system has a purpose to help cool off the parked car on the hot sunny days. Before you reach the car, you can start the fan by using remote control. Thus, before you even get in the car, it will start cooling the car.
Other energy efficient technologies such as hydro-electricity is competitor of solar power that become the wave of the future as far as powering van, trucks and cars.
Solar powered cars derive their energy directly via photovoltaic panels from the sun. But the electric cars panels are not yet efficient and powerful enough to power a vehicle for long distances as big as an electric car. The small amount of available space on a car is a limitation to hold the solar panels. However, the solar power panels can works as supplement the primary means of powering the car whether it’s gas, hydrogen or electric powered.
During off-peak hours, the smart grid technology will enable electric cars to be recharged. The other alternative is using solar generated power, the car will recharge at any time.
How Can Solar Panel Power A Car
Much like solar-powered homes, solar cars harness solar energy that come from the sun and then converting it into electricity. That electricity fuels the battery that runs the car’s motor. Some solar cars direct the power straight to an electric motor, instead of using a battery.
Solar cars can accomplish this through photovoltaic cells which are the components in solar paneling that convert the energy from the sun into electricity. Photovoltaic cells made up of semiconductors (usually made of silicon) that absorb the sunlight. The sunlight’s energy frees electrons in the semiconductors and then creating a flow of electrons. That flow generates the electricity that powers the specialized car motor in solar cars or the battery.
Mazda and Ford have even tested the waters with solar hybrid concept cars. The 2006 Ford Reflex installed solar panels in the headlights meanwhile the 2005 Mazda Senku featured solar panels on its roof to help charge its battery. And the 2008 Cadillac Provoq uses solar panels to power accessories such as audio system and the interior lights.
Venturi- French car company has made one of the most publicized efforts with its unveiling of the Eclectic model prototype at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. The Eclectic combines wind, solar and battery power to run a three-passenger car specifically for city driving. Wind turbine catch energy on blustery days and solar panels cover its roof. However, the Venturi Eclectic only goes up to 30 miles per hour (48 kph).
