{"id":3510,"date":"2022-11-04T06:51:31","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T06:51:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/?p=3510"},"modified":"2022-11-06T07:45:14","modified_gmt":"2022-11-06T07:45:14","slug":"solar-panel-car-roof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/solar-panel-car-roof\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar Panel Car Roof: Why Exclusively Solar Powered Cars are Presently Unfeasible"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You’ve probably heard about solar panels before, but did you know about solar panel car roofs? Solar panels car roof is becoming more affordable and easier to install. Some manufacturers even offer them as standard features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But again, some people are hesitant about the proficiency of photovoltaic cells for electric motors. An ideal alternative to fossil fuels should offer good fuel efficiency. So can tapping energy from sunlight be a handful for running cars? Stay with us as we uncover this topic in greater depth.<\/p>\n\n\n

Why Are Solar-Powered Cars Impractical?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A 3-D Solar Car Concept<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy and storage efficiency are the primary reasons that make solar-powered cars unfeasible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, you should mount this array on a roof<\/a> facing south and tilted at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. This condition is not easy to achieve on cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On average, some of the best residential solar panels produce about 345 watts. Hence, you would need ten of them to power your Nissan Leaf<\/a> efficiently, assuming you drive 50 miles daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, this is not ideal for car use because ten house solar panels<\/a>(250 square feet) would not fit on a car roof. Additionally, the surfaces of a car are not always pointed in the right direction. Therefore, it would be hard to generate enough electricity for the average driver.<\/p>\n\n\n

Solar-Powered Cars Automakers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An electric and solar car charging concept<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impracticalities of solar-powered vehicles have not deterred manufacturers from making these cars. Some of these companies include Sono Motors<\/a>, Hyundai, and Lightyear. Let’s have a look at them.<\/p>\n\n\n

Solar Panel Car Roof: Sono Motors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

According to Sono, their Sion model can reach a range of 34 km per day when relying solely on its photovoltaic cells. Hence, every kilowatt-hour of stored energy in its battery <\/a>yields an output of 4.53 miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, Sion will typically get a charger of 5.32 kWh(24 miles) per day if you leave it parked, facing north, without shade, on a passable street like one in Santa Fe, New Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But does anyone use their car in that manner? You’ll only get about half of that range from solar power. <\/p>\n\n\n

Solar Panel Car Roof: Lightyear One Automotive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

According to Lightyear, their Lightyear O model<\/a> can travel 12 km per hour in direct sunlight. This translates to an average of about 30 miles per day in most locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s possible to see that much production on a good day thanks to the Lightyear One’s improved efficiency. However, we’re just as dubious of that claim as we are of Sonos.<\/p>\n\n\n

Solar Panel Car Roof: Hyundai Automotive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Hyundai Car<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roof-mounted solar cells are a feature of the new Hyundai Sonata<\/a> hybrid car. The Sonata’s solar panels have a capacity of 204W. It implies that the panels facing the Sun in good sunlight will produce 200Wh of electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Hyundai Motor, increasing charging time by 5.8 hours per day results in an annual increase in driving distance of 1,300 km. You’re lucky if you can extend your range by 2.5 miles per day arithmetically.<\/p>\n\n\n

Solar Roofs: Solar Charging Systems<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"Conventional<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conventional Solar Panels<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main elements of such a solar charging system include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n