2006-07-31 18:40:04 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Without even regarding the hybrid design of the Prius, I wondered why we weren't installing such panels on regular cars! I've got a few project cars sitting in my driveway and it could be awhile before I start them... almost without a doubt, the batteries are down on charge and I have to jump them or put a charger on them the day before.
With the solar panels on the car, the battery could get charge voltage whenever the vehicle is parked which is a significant amount ot time. With the popularity of carbon fiber body panels being all the rage, I don't see why actual body panels couldn't be made from solar cells... the roof, engine and trunk hoods, etc. The batteries of the Prius could be charging whenever the car is sitting there doing nothing! Sounds like a good arrangement to me?
I'll race you to the patent office!
2006-07-31 18:48:40 · answer #1 · answered by Les 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
There are a few reasons why solar power is not yet practical for use in passenger vehicles:
- The amount of power they would provide would be negligible in terms of real-world driving. Sure, there are solar-powered cars assembled by engineering students for entry in competetions like the North American Solar Challenge, but keep in mind, these are purpose-built cars that have no frills or concessions to driver comfort, are utterly uncrashworthy, and are still fairly slow. Modern cars are heavy and as of yet, no solar cell can even come close to being able to provide enough power to propel one.
- Solar panels tend to be very fragile. On a road-going car, they would very quickly suffer damage and require frequent replacement.
- The cost of the solar panels would not be defrayed by any savings due to reduced gas consumption for a very, very long time (probably longer than the life of the car itself).
Besides, the Toyota Prius cannot even recapture all of the car's kinetic energy from braking if enough braking force is supplied. If people really want to increase the mileage they get from their Priuses, they should practice featherfooting the brake pedal.
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2006-07-31 19:08:30 · answer #2 · answered by Harry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guide To Solar Power - http://Solar.eudko.com/?sKG
2017-04-06 00:00:03 · answer #3 · answered by Wanda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benefit: my passing you on the expressway, pointing and laughing.
Just kidding: to date there is no benefit. Panels are too heavy and too inefficient to be of any benefit.
Here's to hoping that can change.
2006-08-01 20:09:34 · answer #4 · answered by d_cider1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
none. Did you know the car will not operate if it is out of gas ?
2006-08-01 02:43:06 · answer #5 · answered by tjc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋