if car companies install solar panels on cars, like in all the car were the sun can reach that would reduce the consumption of gas in the summer, and might save some energy for winter and if that energy is not enough they can use gas or electricity i think that would be a lot of savings, and less contamination i don't know that is my idea what do you people think?
Understanding Physics and something about electrical power is normally needed to solve this problem. Here is some info that may help put it into perspective: One average solar panel approx 3ft. X 4 ft may produce 00 watts of power during peak performance times. A VERY small car will require a minimum of say 0-30 HP to be viable. (An old VW had 40HP) 00 Watts continuously will produce about 0. HP (/0 of one HP), so to get 20 HP, I would need how many panels? About 0 panels to get one Horsepower? Where do I put them? note: ONE HORSEPOWER = 746 WATTS SOLAR IS GREAT, BUT NOT CHEAP AND NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH IN MOST AREAS TO DEPEND ON FOR NECESSITIES. IT IS VERY GOOD FOR SUPPLEMENTAL POWER USES AND CAN REDUCE OUR USE OF CONVENTIONAL FORMS.
I have a panel that might be a square foot or so plugged into my cigarette lighter. It will run the radio and help with reducing the amount of time the alternator needs to run, but won't completely run the vehicle. If I had an electric vehicle, I'd want to coat any large surfaces with them. Still wouldn't completely run the vehicle, but every bit would help.
Solar panels, a large storage batter, an electric motor all add weight. This reduces vehicle performance and almost means more energy is required just to move it. There are some solar cars that university engineering departments race. However these solar cars are very light weight, not practical automobiles. Typically they seat only one person and no cargo. Staff actually have to follow them in regular cars with parts and equipment in case of a malfunction or breakdown.
There okorder Part of the problem of putting solar panels on a vehicle is that at almost no time is the orientation for the panels correct. You would not consider putting solar panels on the shady side of your house, or not tilted and aimed properly. This is because solar panels are expensive and you would like to make sure that they are as efficient as possible. A better plan may be to put solar panels on your house and buy an electric car. Have the panels feed power into the grid during the day where you can be paid at the higher daytime rates and then charge your vehicle at the lower night time rates from the grid.
Yes. But you won't be able to go very fast. If you fill up the roof, hood and trunk lid of for example, a Toyota corolla, with the most efficient solar panels you can buy, you might get 2 hp in the mid day sun. That could push the car maybe 2 mph on a flat, and wouldn't get it up a hill unless it had super low gearing. In order to go fast enough on solar power to make it worth while, you need a large area of solar panels and a super light car. Like an aluminum tube frame with a foam and fiberglass composite body, skinny, high pressure tires and a solar array 6 ft wide by 2 feet long. A car like that, with good aerodynamics and a 6 hp motor could get up to 45 mph eventually, just slowly. But it's impractical because it's not safe to drive it with other cars around. But who says the panels have to be on the car? If you have a solar array that feeds as much power into the grid as you take out, that is essentially equal to being solar powered in all practical ways. Even if your car can't be entirely solar powered, that don't mean you shouldn't use solar panels. You could use solar panels in any car, to supplement battery charging, taking load off the alternator, and you would see an increase in fuel economy. There is a system on some cars that uses solar power to circulate air through the cabin when the car is sitting in the sun. This keeps the car up to 30 degrees cooler, taking a huge load off the air conditioner, so instead of pumping all that heat out, you simply vent it into the air, and there is an increase in fuel economy for a few minutes. Every little bit counts.
