How much Oil could we save if we converted all our cars to the Rovers Energy Source http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/home/
2007-08-30 08:36:13 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The rovers are lasting so long because the biggest problem foreseen for them -- dust accumulating on the solar panels -- didn't actually occur. Both rovers ended up getting good weather.
Solar energy is impractical for cars on earth, because the energy density of sunlight is so low. It works for the rovers only because they travel at a very slow speed, and only during the day.
2007-08-30 08:41:18 · answer #1 · answered by Keith P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The other things to bear in mind are the Rovers are made with low power components and the Rovers can enter a deep sleep mode to allow the solar panels to charge the batteries.
With the current dust storms the Rovers have been asleep for almost 7 weeks until the skies brightened enough to allow them to move.
You will notice as well the Rovers movements are carefully planned so it will not deplete the batteries too much and not put the rover in danger.
Hybrid cars are being developed now such as the Prius but still rely on a chemical engine (petrol) to augment the electric drive due to the power output being higher from a chemical engine. If the Prius ran off just its electrical supply it only has enough for approximatley 3 miles.
Our company uses the Prius for our engineers and it has met with great success but for a totally electric vehicle you would need far more sunlight per Sq/m energy than we get at the present so we either need better solar cells, more efficient vehicles/motors or a combination of them both.
2007-08-30 08:50:55 · answer #2 · answered by Answers R Us 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rovers run on way less than 1 horsepower off of solar panels. Currently they are running on less than 1/2 horsepower.
If you really wanted a car that runs on 1/2 horsepower, then yes, you could save a bundle of money on gas. But, who wants a car that runs on 1/2 horsepower? Even my fuel efficient Corolla has a ~100 horsepower motor. I could live with, maybe, 50 horsepower, but 0.5 horsepower? no way.
If I wanted only that much power, I would bicycle to work everyday (and use up 3 times as much time as it takes to drive).
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2007-08-30 10:16:26 · answer #3 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably a whole lot, but right now solar panels that are accessible to the public actually produce very little power and are way too expensive to become a convenience...
2007-08-30 09:46:20 · answer #4 · answered by Lexington 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask jeeves.
2007-08-30 08:42:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋