2006-08-23 11:54:10 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
who cares they already have them maybe they could make them look nice with a wind sail too
2006-08-23 11:56:46 · answer #1 · answered by mike L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt that solar-powered cars will go mainstream in our lifetime. There are a bunch of technical, economic, and logistical problems to having that happen. First of all solar cells are not nearly efficient enough (converting enough energy from the sun to electricity) to power a car of normal weight or design. Many of the solar cars around today are made of lightweight materials and with more aerodyanamic designs. Mainstream use of these kinds of designs is impractical because they don't really offer the same versatility of a traditional car.
Secondly solar production isn't enough to produce enough solar cells to create a new vehicle fleet. Right now solar panels use silicon and even now with a limited demand module producers are running low on silicon demands and have to compete with semiconductor industries. A new form of production would have to be created to produce enough for mainstream use. Thin-film solar panels are being researched and might someday be used for this purpose, as they are cheaper to make and lighter.
Finally I am not sure if they will ever be practical because of the energy storage necessary for them to work. Even if solar panels became cheap and light enough to put on cars you'll need efficient batteries to run the cars at night which would be difficult to say the least. I suppose battery efficiency is the least of the problems with a solar car though since the other technology has to mature first.
As for people owning solar cars simply for fun. I think people can build their own solar cars now as a hobby pretty easily if they know what they're doing. Solar panels are becoming much more available, you might see them in your local hardware store if you look closely. They are still pretty expensive though so an amateur solar car maker would have to really want one.
I hope that helped answer your question.
PS: Solar power rocks!
2006-08-23 18:31:00 · answer #2 · answered by Trick B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not think they want them to sell here just because the oil and companys would be pissed off as what to donext cause busness dropped off. I think france has the. might buy one there and export it here LOL but then there is alwaay going to be someone jelious and try to deface it or damage a panel
But I love the idea of going to that power and peddle at night
2006-08-23 12:03:03 · answer #3 · answered by Paul G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guide To Solar Power : http://SolarPower.duebq.com/?NkJ
2017-03-06 22:16:12 · answer #4 · answered by Ernestina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When all the states have sunshine in all 4 seasons.
2006-08-23 12:00:08 · answer #5 · answered by HW 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋