2007-04-03 03:42:09 · 6 answers · asked by j_prg 2 in Environment
Solar panels on a bike would probably be impractical because you would use the energy much faster than the solar panels could restore it, so you might only gain a few minutes of use by adding a solar panel to a battery. But, you might be able to use flexible solar panels to make fenders, and even create a solar vest and helmet to increase the amount of panels without creating a bunch of air resistance.
It would probably be more practical to design a solar recharger for the batteries that is not attached to the bike, and design your bike to operate on a small electric motor that uses the rechargeable batteries. This arrangement would be easy to do, as solar battery rechargers are commonly available. You could use a small motorcycle battery to operate an electric motor, and keep two batteries so one is always recharging.
2007-04-03 06:05:59 · answer #1 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll never get enough solar energy to move the bike without a panel that sticks out way beyond the bike. A 5 ft by 2 ft panel will give you about 100 watts which is half of what you need. It's also cost about $600.
2007-04-03 04:29:31 · answer #2 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure if you can, the amount of solar cells you would need to power your bike (even at a very slow speed) would be ALOT, probably 3 yards by three yards at least, not to mention you would be adding the wieght of the motor you are powering as well as the batteries, it would probably be more feasible to have a solar generator at home to charge up the batteries that you can use to power your bike's motor.. then when you get home you charge it back up..
solar energy is environmentally perfect, but the technology we have today does not make it practical for this type of use
2007-04-03 03:54:19 · answer #3 · answered by n_maritz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The average rider produces 200 - 300 watts. The Solar Constant equals 144 watts / square foot (this is average world-wide under ideal conditions, you will need to find out what it is where you live). Now if you add the weight of an electric motor, you are going to need about 500 watts. This shows that in ideal conditions, you will need to have about 3.5 square feet of solar panel, almost 2 feet by 2 feet.
2007-04-03 04:15:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fit a small geared electric motor to drive the wheel and put the solar panel on the top like a canopy. Use a small 9 V rechargeable battery so that if it is cloudy, you are not stalled.
2007-04-03 03:50:48 · answer #5 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-02-02 02:13:20 · answer #6 · answered by Keisha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋