Ask the Car People.SM


Solar Powered Cars - in our Future? - READ ONLY

47 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2006 at 11:04 PM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hybrids Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Alternative Fuels

Messages Page 5 of 5

#38 of 47 Solar Powered Combination by trobb

Aug 18, 2005 (1:52 pm)

OK, I am by no means an expert, but I do understand that there are more sources of natural energy than just the sun. After all, just the movement of the car is a type of energy. After considering it all, you could create a vehicle that taps into Solar Power, Wind Power, and Kinetic Energy to regain some of the power that is often lost in conversion. Consider having some port-holes near the bottom of the vehicle that allow wind caused by vehicle motion to strike a turbine to produce additional energy. It may not refuel the car, but it can certainly increase power. How about two extra wheels that lightly touch the ground below the vehicle that also have light turbines in them to recover kinetic energy from the vehicle's motion.
 
These are all ideas, and by no means do I have a scientific mind to accompany them, but perhaps some of the energy converted into motion can be recovered to one degree or another.

#39 of 47 Solar Out of the Box by socal118

Aug 29, 2005 (9:52 pm)

Everyone has good points. Practical solutions will require out of the box thinking:
 
Solar augmented Hybrid SUVs They already have large semi-flat roofs, motors, gas backup. Solar would simply augment the charging, requiring less gas over time. Vehicles don't usually travel more than 1 or 2 hours a day. They will keep charging the rest of the time, so long as they are parked in sunlight.
 
Houses with solar panels could charge battery packs that are automatically swapped out when the vehicle is parked in the owners garage. Solar "roofed" parking lots could also swap out standard packs in some automated way. Maybe they'll be interchangeable with more expensive hydrogen fuel cell power packs, for those longer trips.
 
Perhaps that mass of asphalt called a street could somehow end up charging interchangeable battery packs for the populous. All that surface area... hmm, maybe there's a way to turn it all into a big collector with new materials and technology.
 
Solar won't do it all, but it can be a contributor. An electric motor vehicle manufacturing infrastructure is already well on its way. Hybrids and hydrogen will see to that. We might as well work all angles as a society to optimize it.
 
Not magic, imagination...

#40 of 47 Self-sufficiency,mobility,and environment,how to relax and unplug off the by offgrid

Mar 07, 2006 (11:27 am)

hello,
 
off-grid means places or buildings or gizmos that work without mains water or power. off-grid is for those who want to unplug, relax and feel at home anywhere on the planet

#41 of 47 Re: [robertsmx] by eaa

Mar 22, 2006 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: robertsmx (Jan 26, 2005 2:47 pm)
Solar needs full sun at the correct angle so it's best used in a fixed location like a house.
Solar vehicles are electric vehicles, that are charged and running from the solar panels.
  The best is a very efficient EV like the T-Zero from AC Propulsions and good solar panels at home from Sunpower at 20% efficiency. Together , but not at the same location you have a winning combination.
   Or you can suck gas thats 60% imported and making Exxon rich so they make more oil spills and kill our trade deficit and fund terrorist. It's your choice.
   I installed grid ties solar, live efficiently and ride a bicycle to work for health and the environment. I make my choices EVeryday.

#42 of 47 Concerns by mirth

Mar 23, 2006 (12:04 pm)

My concerns about solar panels are these:
 
1. What do they cost to install?
2. How often do they break down?
3. When they do break, what do they cost to fix?
 
My hunch is that whatever cost savings you might see on your energy bill would be eaten up by the maintenance cost (car or house). Plus, they're kind of ugly.

#43 of 47 Re: Concerns [mirth] by gagrice

Mar 24, 2006 (11:52 am)

Replying to: mirth (Mar 23, 2006 12:04 pm)
Here is a company that lists their installed products. Note that in CA you get a big rebate on the installation. The average installed price is about $20k. Pay off in 12 years. The panels are warranted by the manufacturer for 25 years. That is a big improvement from the system I put on my home in AZ. It lasted a little over 4 years and the company was out of business. The interest on $20,000 would pay my electric bill.
 
http://www.carlsonsolar.com/detailed_system.htm

#44 of 47 Don't see... by mirth

Mar 24, 2006 (1:12 pm)

...this catching on. Not at $20K with a 12 year payoff. Too high a cost of entry, and the payoff is too far away (a lot of people don't stay in the same house for 12 years).

#45 of 47 Re: Don't see... [mirth] by gagrice

Mar 24, 2006 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: mirth (Mar 24, 2006 1:12 pm)
I would only consider solar if I was in Hawaii. Some areas do not have commercial power. And those that do are very expensive. My bill on a house I own in Hilo averages $480 per month with No air conditioning or heat. Just cooking, lights and hot water. There I could probably recoup the cost.

#46 of 47 solar on home by eaa

Apr 05, 2006 (10:47 pm)

gagrice in AZ,
    
  I put grid tied solar on my home in AZ in 2001 with no incentives or net-metering. In 2004 I petitioned SRP and we all now have net-metering.
  My system has worked perfect. I installed it myself and save 100 a month and only paid 12K. I have solar screens to block heat in summer , 2 solar tube lights, energy star Lennox heat pump at 16.5 SEER, efficient fridge from Sears, Compact florescent lights and even use a solar over a lot.
   What happened to your system ?, maybe I can fix it for you for free.
   There are super companies now in AZ to install and do all paperwork for State,FED and Util incentives. Call American Solar in Scottsdale, they are the best. JIM

#47 of 47 Re: solar on home [eaa] by gagrice

Apr 06, 2006 (11:04 pm)

Replying to: eaa (Apr 05, 2006 10:47 pm)
The home is in Havasu. I sold it in 1987. Back then the warranty was 5 years. The manufacturer did not stay in business that long. I guess I was ahead of the curve. I was trying to cut my $280 per month electric bill.

Messages Page 5 of 5

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement