Donate SIGN UP

Solar Panels.

Avatar Image
wildwood | 06:50 Wed 11th May 2016 | Technology
3 Answers
Is there is reason why car manufacturers haven't incorporated a solar panel into the roof of new model hybrids and all electric? They could easily be made to shape to the contour of the roof so won't be unsightly.

I would have thought that a couple of sq metres of panel would generate a considerable amount of storable energy, so saving on charging costs and/or petrol. If your car is all electric and runs out away from a charge station you can pick it up the next day and drive at least to the closest place of charging.
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 3 of 3rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by wildwood. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
I would imagine that the battery would need to be quite large, in order to store the solar energy.
A typical solar panel from Maplin's generates peak 13W from a toughly 1/3 sq meter panel, giving you about 80W from 2 sq meters.
1hp = 746 watts
A small car engine is more than 50hp.
Solar panel is OK for keeping a battery charged to replace power used by alarm etc but no use for powering vehicle itself.

1 to 3 of 3rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Solar Panels.

Answer Question >>