Solar Powered Vehicles

Solar powered vehiclesDue to increase in pollution in our atmosphere, increased emission of harmful fossil fumes it is very important to realize that new high-tech developers constructed different types of fully solar powered vehicles. Such vehicles by their definition are actually electric vehicles, which are powered completely or in significant matter by solar energy.

Solar powered vehicles will be covered with or at least will have several solar panels installed on the outer surface or in special places, since it is the core for the whole system to work. Photovoltaic solar cells which are contained in those solar panels are able to receive and convert the sun's energy from the sun-light directly into electric energy.

Nowadays solar industry is yet in its developing phase and many of the ideas and designs were not put into the practice or are still great concepts, which are too costly to be available for public. Therefore majority of constructed solar vehicles are not sold as day-to-day or common transportation tools or means, but are principally demonstration vehicles and engineering excellence-exercises, often sponsored by other companies, concerned about the environment or governmental agencies. However, indirectly solar-charged, or at least partly solar powered vehicles are widespread, as for example solar boats are easily available commercially, though only to the people who are able to afford those.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Vehicles

Since solar power is green and doesn’t harm our environment, therefore it represents the first and the greatest advantage of these devices. It is very important to remember about our atmosphere and how we destroy it every day, therefore becoming a little more caution is very important. Another important advantage is that solar energy is free and easily accessible. Therefore you will not have to supply your vehicle with any additional power, since solar energy will be enough, and therefore after the initial investment, you will not have to pay anything. Secondly, apart from simple gasoline cars, be sure that you will not run out of gas or benzene, therefore your driving will be smooth and continuous.

However solar vehicles do have several disadvantages you have to keep in mind. At first they need solar power to be able to operate successfully. Therefore it means that during darker times or when it is a bad weather day you will not be able to use your vehicle. Even though in other devices for such cases there are storage batteries, in order to be able to store additional energy in batteries you will have to increase vehicle weight dramatically. And lastly – they are very costly on this level of development; therefore not everyone can afford such a vehicle.

Commercial Offers

Solar vehicles are not openly available on the market. They are majorly concept cars. For example in 2006 Ford presented Reflex, which has solar panels installed in the headlights, and in 2005 Mazda presented its concept-car Senku, featured solar panels on its roof to help charge its battery. ‘I MIEV sport’ by Mitsubishi, presented in 2007, is a battery powered car, which is partially charged via the solar panels on its roof and in such a way can reach speeds of 180 km/h with a range of 200 km.




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