Expensive and dangerous fender benders with all those solar panels. Also not practical lol at least where I live where we get less than 70 sunny days annually lol
There are a few models of solar powered RV and or Camper vans as well out there. Do not think they drive on Solar but, when parked, no need to hook to the grid for power.
I have a truck camper, my goal was to run the AC during peak hours, typically the highest sun hours, win, win. Between 800 watts on the roof and a dc to dc charger, the voltage and current is a wash. Stopping for the night, we run the AC for a few hours, I could only stuff 400 amp hours of batteries in it. It works to keep it cool until bedtime, then there's enough left to run some fans the rest of the night. The problem, as usual, there isn't always sun, clouds rain etc.. the dc to dc charger fron the truck will get it almost there, but AC then is limited use. If we didn't use AC it really is unlimited even with cloud cover. Certainly could not power the wheels though. I always wondered why no one came up the idea to panel the trailers on big rigs, tons of surface area to cover and make as much as being used. But... again, clouds, shade etc is always the limiting factor, not to mention battery weight.
Yah, as I keep saying, Solar is a great idea but, it is still currently in the "cassette tape and boombox phase" with a ton of refining and improving needed before, it actually could be a stand alone energy source. OK for a backup for limited use and times and only if you live in an area that can take advantage of direct sunlight and you can afford and have space for huge ass batteries. heh. Ty for your personal experience with it and camper living/traveling.
Panel technology keeps getting better and better. My panels are only 3 years old but even in that short time I could get the same size panels now and be nearer 1000 watts. Even IF panel technology gets 100% more efficient the entire globe would have to be paneled to provide enough. Not to mention the storage, the storage is the biggest roadblock. Battery technology also keeps improving but not enough to power the globe. I don't know if it'll ever get there.
Yes, panels are improving by leaps, I just got a new Solar water fountain pump for my garden and it was cheaper and much more efficient and they even hold the power longer after dark than just a couple years ago (the new models being sold this year). My garden is full of small solar powered lights and water (fairy garden style).
As said, Solar power is a great project and I hope they keep improving on it but, do NOT demand that people live off it as is, they will ONLY have to buy new and improved yearly like, they do with the phones. I am very much hoping for a breakthrough with the Solar power system so it CAN be relied on for larger uses but, it is not there now.
I see this a lot. People trying to come up with ideas using solar panels. And the real problem is the solar panels themselves. They are what needs upgrading. It’s like the first computer. Size of an outbuilding, powered down to the size of a wrist watch today. The innovation of the solar panel needs attention. Not ideas using a square wheel.
So,on the one hand, there is a push to get you to buy into a commie scheme of solar panels (green new deal) and at the same time, they are scorching the sky ....thus eliminating the potential benefit into such a venture.
Not street safe. A deathtrap if hit. No roof, no A/C, no amenities or comfort. No ability (so far) to carry any supplies or extra weight. Current design is too easily stolen/damaged by vandals, weather, hail, bouncing gravel, etc.
I'm thinking you'd have to design the actual solar panel embedded into the existing roof/trunk and combine that with a rechargeable 2nd battery that is charged by the spinning of the tires.
Won't matter. As soon as something like this is figured out and widely adopted the joggers will start stealing them off the vehicles. Just like stealing the copper from EV chargers.
Elon is wealthy enough to do something like this with his Teslas. I wonder if instead of painting one, he slapped solar panels over it instead. Would that help with regenerating power? Inquiring minds want to know.
Not very practical. I good blast of wind would throw it into the ditch.
Expensive and dangerous fender benders with all those solar panels. Also not practical lol at least where I live where we get less than 70 sunny days annually lol
Refine the design and it would probably be useful in Arid environments.
There are a few models of solar powered RV and or Camper vans as well out there. Do not think they drive on Solar but, when parked, no need to hook to the grid for power.
The only caveat to this is that air conditioning use is limited even on the most expensive solution for RVs.
I have a truck camper, my goal was to run the AC during peak hours, typically the highest sun hours, win, win. Between 800 watts on the roof and a dc to dc charger, the voltage and current is a wash. Stopping for the night, we run the AC for a few hours, I could only stuff 400 amp hours of batteries in it. It works to keep it cool until bedtime, then there's enough left to run some fans the rest of the night. The problem, as usual, there isn't always sun, clouds rain etc.. the dc to dc charger fron the truck will get it almost there, but AC then is limited use. If we didn't use AC it really is unlimited even with cloud cover. Certainly could not power the wheels though. I always wondered why no one came up the idea to panel the trailers on big rigs, tons of surface area to cover and make as much as being used. But... again, clouds, shade etc is always the limiting factor, not to mention battery weight.
Yah, as I keep saying, Solar is a great idea but, it is still currently in the "cassette tape and boombox phase" with a ton of refining and improving needed before, it actually could be a stand alone energy source. OK for a backup for limited use and times and only if you live in an area that can take advantage of direct sunlight and you can afford and have space for huge ass batteries. heh. Ty for your personal experience with it and camper living/traveling.
Panel technology keeps getting better and better. My panels are only 3 years old but even in that short time I could get the same size panels now and be nearer 1000 watts. Even IF panel technology gets 100% more efficient the entire globe would have to be paneled to provide enough. Not to mention the storage, the storage is the biggest roadblock. Battery technology also keeps improving but not enough to power the globe. I don't know if it'll ever get there.
Yes, panels are improving by leaps, I just got a new Solar water fountain pump for my garden and it was cheaper and much more efficient and they even hold the power longer after dark than just a couple years ago (the new models being sold this year). My garden is full of small solar powered lights and water (fairy garden style). As said, Solar power is a great project and I hope they keep improving on it but, do NOT demand that people live off it as is, they will ONLY have to buy new and improved yearly like, they do with the phones. I am very much hoping for a breakthrough with the Solar power system so it CAN be relied on for larger uses but, it is not there now.
I see this a lot. People trying to come up with ideas using solar panels. And the real problem is the solar panels themselves. They are what needs upgrading. It’s like the first computer. Size of an outbuilding, powered down to the size of a wrist watch today. The innovation of the solar panel needs attention. Not ideas using a square wheel.
God invented horses. They run on grass and carrots and are much more efficient than this nonsense.
Note the type of clouds ....
So,on the one hand, there is a push to get you to buy into a commie scheme of solar panels (green new deal) and at the same time, they are scorching the sky ....thus eliminating the potential benefit into such a venture.
Not street safe. A deathtrap if hit. No roof, no A/C, no amenities or comfort. No ability (so far) to carry any supplies or extra weight. Current design is too easily stolen/damaged by vandals, weather, hail, bouncing gravel, etc.
I'm thinking you'd have to design the actual solar panel embedded into the existing roof/trunk and combine that with a rechargeable 2nd battery that is charged by the spinning of the tires.
Won't matter. As soon as something like this is figured out and widely adopted the joggers will start stealing them off the vehicles. Just like stealing the copper from EV chargers.
Its top speed is around 20mph.
Elon is wealthy enough to do something like this with his Teslas. I wonder if instead of painting one, he slapped solar panels over it instead. Would that help with regenerating power? Inquiring minds want to know.
Doesn't sound like there'll be much traffic on the roads at night.
It's for the good of the environment. 😊