Car solar powered – breakthrough or dead end? Bashny.Net

The background

1955, General Motors demonstrates car powered by solar energy, was developed by engineer William Cobb. Actually, it wasn't even a car, and its prototype, the length of which was only 40 cm model produced a pathetic impression — despite the solar panels that you put on the roof, trunk and hood of the car, she moved at a snail's pace and made me think about the futility of this direction. Beating, thus, this idea manual GM closed topic, but Cobb was fired.



Experiment General Motors did not discourage inventors hunting to develop solar-powered vehicles. 27 years later, Australian Hans Tholstrup drove this car across the fifth continent with a speed of 20 km/h. it took another 14 years, and the results are quite decent 135 km/h showed the car Dream. However, it is worth considering that this achievement has cost a very considerable sum, representing approximately $ 2.0 million.

The attractiveness of the idea

To make some predictions about future transport development for solar energy today will be premature. It should be noted that its popularity is slowly growing and there are already existing examples, and even a production model.
The attractiveness of the cars on solar energy due to the following factors:

• The novelty and futuristic design that distinguishes the solar-powered car, which given the elongated shape allows them to post them on the PV panel a large area;
• The free and absolute security of solar energy for the environment.

Design features and main directions of development

The main design feature of vehicles running on solar energy are photovoltaic panels, which are both a stumbling block for developers. Date that the best solar panels available today have an efficiency of about 12.0 percent, however, to ensure normal operating conditions, the solar cells must have an efficiency of about 40,0-50,0 %.





In connection with the foregoing, currently, the developers are implementing the following measures aimed at further enhancing the vehicles using photovoltaic panels:

• Reducing vehicle weight through the use of light alloys and carbon fiber;
• Improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the body;
• The use of the latest control systems on microprocessors of the latest generation.

The introduction of innovative powertrains.

As for the last point, it should be noted this unusual motor, as the wheel is equipped with a brushless motor, which allows not only to simplify the design of the car, go around without a transmission, but also greatly reduce the weight of the machine. In addition, these wheels are now shod in the newest tires, the rolling resistance coefficient which is reduced to the minimum value.
Work on performance is reflected in the appearance of vehicles on solar power, often, even difficult to understand that you are looking for a simple car. And it is not played out in the imagination of the designers and the requirements of ergonomics. To the solar battery may have been sufficient to provide the machine with energy, it must have a large area. As a result, solar cars are reminiscent in appearance to the intergalactic ships from science fiction movies.

Successful models

Ecletic





The vehicle was developed by company Venturi (France). The power plant — 22 HP cruising range without recharging — 50 km speed — 50 km/h. the Machine is equipped with an auxiliary wind generator, the use of conventional fuel is not provided. In inclement weather can be recharged from a household socket, charging time — 5 hours.

Astrolab





Another model of the company Venturi, is the first production of the solar car. The cost of the machine is 92 thousand euros. Capacity of 16.0 kW, range — 110 km, maximum speed — 120 km/h. Power plant supply energy to the solar panels with a total area of 3.6 m2 and with a capacity of 600 watts. Car weight reduced to 300 kg due to the use of materials of carbon fiber (it is noteworthy that this battery weighs 110 kg). In appearance the machine resembles is provided with wheels wing (designer Sacha Lakic).

Solar World GT

Incomplete development of the company Green GT (Switzerland).
Representatives of the manufacturer declared the following characteristics:
Speeds of up to 275 km/h;
Acceleration to 100.0 km/h for 4 h;
The power plant — 350-400 HP

It is clear that these parameters are still just advertising. What will actually be seen.

Photovoltaic panels on the production cars

Today, motorists wishing to use the free energy of the sun, can do is very simple — set on the roof of his car photovoltaic panels. It is worth noting that this practice is not only self-taught craftsmen and tuning company, but also the well-known manufacturers, e.g. BMW, Toyota, etc. , it is Clear that city driving in this case it is not but power from the panels automotive air conditioning and the stereo is possible. Solar battery, included with the device regulating the charge/discharge can charge the battery or provide power to on-Board electronics during the stay.





It is possible that in the near future, the solar-powered vehicles will become commonplace and a normal occurrence, having turned from futuristic toy to a conventional vehicle. Suffice it to recall the past — in fact once, at the dawn of its creation, and conventional cars with internal combustion engines are seen with distrust and wariness.published

 

P. S. And remember, only by changing their consumption — together we change the world! ©

Source: mirenergii.ru/energiyasolnca/avto-na-solnechnyx-batareyax-proryv-v-budushhee-ili-tupikovaya-vetv.html