Posted on 05/14/2021 3:21:30 AM PDT by sodpoodle
Every year, more people in the United States purchase electric vehicles. While electric vehicles can be charged at home or at many charging locations, many people wonder why these electric cars don’t have solar panels. The following guide explores some of the main reasons that electric vehicles don’t have solar panels on the roof.
Solar panels work by converting energy from the sun into electric power. Modern solar panels are very efficient, with many capable of turning more than 60 percent of the sun’s power into electricity. However, they still have some significant limitations.
On average, a 10 square foot solar panel can generate approximately 50 watts with direct sunlight. This is the equivalent of a single lightbulb. Since most cars only have 10 to 25 square feet of space on their roof, the maximum amount of power they can generate is 50 to 150 watts.
(Excerpt) Read more at solyndra.com ...
Electric pickups will soon have the option of a solar bed cover. Paltry as the output is, should produce enough to get you to an outlet after a day or two. I view it purely as an emergency TEOTWAWKI type tool, providing some mobility when the grid is down (both gas and electric) or far.
Talk about a 21st century Sun Roof!
Electric vehicles are ok. They are certainly getting better. I tend to drive long distances at a time. So, they are not optimum for me yet. But they are coming—whether we like them or not.
Solar panels make money when they are south facing, properly angled, and in a sunny environment.
None of those apply to car roofs. It would take a very long time to cover the cost of the panels.
That image never gets old.
How well do they stand up to hail? Here in Oklahoma, and in Texas, every spring we have a hand full of fairly big hail producing storms. Just two weeks ago, the Norman, OK area got blasted buy baseball and softball sized hail. Some went through roofs, lost of homes and businesses had windows blown out, and every car that was outside is likely totaled. Will solar panels withstand that type of storm?
How well do they stand up to hail? Here in Oklahoma, and in Texas, every spring we have a hand full of fairly big hail producing storms. Just two weeks ago, the Norman, OK area got blasted by baseball and softball sized hail. Some went through roofs, lots of homes and businesses had windows blown out, and every car that was outside is likely totaled. Will solar panels withstand that type of storm?
“””WHY DON’T ELECTRIC CARS HAVE SOLAR PANELS ON THE ROOF?”””
For the same reason the Fossil Fuel Electrical Generating Plants have to subsidize uneconomic Solar Panel Electrical Generating Plants.
There’s also a significant drop in efficiency when solar panels are dirty.
Cars would need to be washed every day or two, and probably hand washed at that.
That’s one more thing the solar people don’t tell their victims, I mean customers. They need to get on their roof and wash the panels frequently to maintain peak efficiency.
Brilliant solution. You should contact the Depth of Energy immediately.
Nah...with the idiots we have in charge right now, they might actually mandate this crap! Then because they do not understand how people are dying from carbon monoxide poisoning from a “solar-powered car,” they would probably allow all the victim’s families to sue me for their deaths.
I’m just going to keep my ideas to myself!
Let me add that Biden’s regime is likely considering a new tax on gas and diesel powered vehicles to subsidize the installation of solar panels on electric vehicles.
I saw where a guy covered a small pontoon boat top with solar panels.
There were two of those electric trolling motors that ran from batteries charged by the sun.
It worked, or seemed to, but it was kinda slow.
The boat mostly sat where it caught the sun all day.
Is that average over day and night in all weather? Those numbers don't match the fact he uses "maximum" later. Because direct solar radiation at noon is about 1000 watts per square meter (10.8 square feet), 50 watts implies a 5% efficiency unless he is averaging over all time and weather.
Compare that to a 100 horsepower engine which is 74,600 watts.
Car makers selling out to electric is a dumb idea. I just don’t see electric cars meeting the needs of consumers. Don’t see how they will do long trips. I don’t think they will even be able to replace pick-up trucks.
LOL! Wood-gas is one way to go for vehicles.
I built a solar power plant and used it for about 6 years. Didn’t use it to power any vehicle, though. ;)
Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Is an annual Mad Max style 3000 mile race through the Australian outback with purely solar cars.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.