Ok, so i thought the world pretty much turned down the idea of solar powered cars because of the sun not providing enough energy.. until i found these cool looking concept cars.
http://webecoist.com/2009/03/12/solar-powered-concept-cars/
question for you - Do you really think SOLAR powered cars are a legit CAR power source that has alot of potential? would it be better then fuel cell, or electric? Solar cars are very much a gimmick. They have all the limitations of electric cars, with the addition that they take a long time to recharge, and can't recharge at all if the weather is bad.
Get an ordinary electric car, and put a solar panel where it belongs, on your house.
The main problems:
1- Solar panels are expensive, and inefficient: they only turn a tiny percentage of the light energy that hits them into electricity.
2- Batteries to store that power are big heavy and expensive, or reasonably small and light, but far too expensive.
I'm a bit happy that they're actually starting to come out with this technology. Everyday I start to see newer ideas which probably wont catch on, but it's still worth a try!
Hmm Maby like a hybrid solar? that should add a few mpg...
Concept cars are always fun to look at, but how many of them actually end up being viable modes of transportation with feasible production costs?
I think the energy needed to cart around huge solar cells far outweighs the amount of energy they're going to generate. Now, how about a wind turbine car? 
| georgeodowd wrote: |
I think the energy needed to cart around huge solar cells far outweighs the amount of energy they're going to generate.
|
Actually, they don't. Several all-solar cars have been made, and used. None are high-performance, comfortable, or spacious, but they do work.
| Quote: |
| Now, how about a wind turbine car? |
Now that's retarded.Have they thought of designing solar cells? Trapping solar energy into cells that can be used, without having to recharge for lengthy times? Would be nice clean energy that way?
if solar panel technology can improve then they would become feasible - as it is - as far as I know - even if you are fortunate enough to live in a sunny area they won't provide adequate power.
Perhaps a hybrid solution (a la toyota prius) may work - so you have a solar car that has reasonable performance but really good fuel economy
I saw a really interesting tv special the other day talking about general motors making a car call;ed the ev1 about 4-5 years ago - which was awesome. same size and roughtly the same power as an ordinary car - range not quite as good as petrol but plenty good for city driving etc
gm however killed the car by deliberately marketing it badly and actaully forcing people who brought it to give up their leases after 4 years and they destroyed the (perfectly working) cars all so that they could say there was no demand for the cars and force california to repeal its zero emission targets.
| deanhills wrote: |
| Have they thought of designing solar cells? Trapping solar energy into cells that can be used, without having to recharge for lengthy times? Would be nice clean energy that way? |
Go ahead and try.
You'll need an extremely good grasp of quantum mechanics, some creativity, and lots of luck.
But if you succeed in making a better solar-power collection device, (and there is a lot of room for improvement) you'll be rich for sure.
Many people are working on it, but so far, none have succeeded.I've seen the pics, nice concept cars. I wonder which one will ever go to production. Solar powered cars saves money on gas in the long run , but I bet they are quite expensive when they come out to the market.
there is some crazy stuff....i saw another thing about the ford flex and edge becoming electric/gas hybrids..they look pretty cool.....i dont know how much they are thinking into how it will hndle and things like that tho..i mean look at some of them and you'll wonder just how it would really drive.
With the advent of nanotubes, every technology has room for improvement. I heard that GM is about to mass produce a sport electric car. Very soon there will be a technological improvement on solar cells and nobody (but petrol related businesses) will ever wish gas engine anymore.
i dont like any of those...you need to check out the chevy volt
For me it all depends how technology will advance. Solar panels are expensive and ineffective - ok. But "few" years back "classic" engines were also not very effective. And first petrol-driven cars were not very comfortable.
If companies will decide to go for solar power - then technology should advance thus making solar cars better and better. Same goes for electric - main problem is capacity of batteries (considering possible energy stored in 1kg battery). But again - if some big companies with lot of $$$ will decide to move towards electric engines probably they will think of some better bateries. Of course it wont happen in a year or two, same as combustion engines. It requires time, resources and money.
