subject: How Effective Are Solar Powered Cars? [print this page] Before we can talk about whether they're effective or not, maybe you'd like to know exactly what a solar powered car is. Simply put, it's an electric car. Except...it doesn't plug in to a wall socket or anywhere else because the electricity that runs is comes from solar energy panels attached directly to the top of the vehicle.
The electricity for a solar powered car is generated directly from the photovoltaic (PV) solar energy panels that capture the sun's energy.
At this time, solar powered cars are really short-distance vehicles...short races or commuting...as they require a lot of direct sunlight to run right. They do have solar batteries that store any additional energy not needed for immediate operation, but currently their storage capacity is too limited to be of any significant value to do anything other than provide less than 50 miles of additional operation.
So...the short answer to "How effective are solar powered cars?"... right now is "Not effective enough."
As technology evolves, however, solar powered cars hold one of the best answers to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, as well as the size of our environmental footprint.
Vehicles are the second largest source of greenhouse gas, falling just behind coal-burning power plants. The biggest contributor, in both arenas, is the United States. The United States contributes 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually through automobile engines, and 2.5 billion tons through coal-burning power plants.
The United States, being the biggest offender, with only 4% of the world's population, isn't viewed as the environment's strong defender. Despite having the technology to make significant change, and to make a real contribution to the solution, there has been little forward progress.
Take a quick look and you can't miss the automobile and energy industries lobbying efforts. The number of SUV's and other gas-guzzling large vehicles you see on the streets today are a clear indication of the strong hold fossil-fuel industries hold on the American market, along with their ability to thwart legislation and incentives that might actually produce tangible results.
Solar powered cars in the United States are currently developed nearly exclusively for race cars. The cockpits are deliberately kept small, and the vehicles light. The solar energy panels that are used on these cars costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their technology, however, clearly shows their capability...they can run fast and produce absolutely no pollution. This includes no noise pollution as the panels work silently in collecting and storing energy.
Globally, in the last few years, there have been a few solar powered cars (although not totally vehicle-generated electricity) built that are for use by the general public. These cars are generally what's called a SPEV, or solar powered electrical vehicle. Most are small, one person vehicles suitable for short commutes - back and forth to work or to the grocery store. One notable advance, however, is in the solar powered five-door Blue Car hatchback, which is a fully electric vehicle with solar panels being produced in Europe. The ad in inhabitat.com states: "The solar panels on the vehicle's roof provides some power to the vehicle's systems. It comes with regenerative brakes and a Lithium Metal Polymer batteries, and has a range of 155 miles per charge. According to the manufacturer, all the materials in the construction have been sourced to be as environmentally friendly as possible."
Similarly, the Toyota Prius, an electric hybrid car, has added an optional solar roof that can add power for a vehicle for approximately 20 miles. While this may seem a very small contribution, every additional solar "mile" operated makes a larger contribution to our carbon footprint.
With solar powered cars, we have a real, viable solution to global warming. They also reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and contribute positively to reducing the energy crisis. And if you want to know what immediate, personal benefit they'll have for you...besides no more trips to the gas station...just think; no oil changes, no tune-ups...and no emissions check. Hey, on the practical side, what else could you ask for?
We can each make a contribution to diminish our carbon footprint. We can contribute to this country and the world...when we invest through our purchases and our voice...when we insist that our representatives in the House and Senate invest with us...in solar power.
The more we support the technology, the more we insist on research and development to increase production and distribution, the more effective and economical solar powered cars can...and will...become.
