Currently the conversion of power from solar cells to electricity is not nearly sufficient to power an automobile. Some models such as the Audi A6 and A8 have sunroofs available to power comfort functions, such as air conditioning and the fan, but that is far from enough power to make a Tesla go. Several automakers are working on concept designs for harnessing solar energy to handle at least the smaller functions such as phone recharging, or warming up transmission oil. BMW spokesman Wieland Bruch stated that it would be a while before such technology was ready for production. To be honest most of it sounds like interesting gimmicks. The cost of having solar cells installed in the roof of your car might put you off before you even bother listening to how nifty your car powers its air conditioning.
One of the obstacles of sunroofs is the weight, which is considerably more than a normal steel roof, and even more than a normal glass roof. A second obstacle is the battery technology. Researchers are working upon the performance and sustainability of the lithium-ion battery, which have a lower environmental impact and better weight to energy ratios.
However, both Opel’s CEO Hans Demant and solar lobbyist Ruschmeyer see little direct benefit for solar powered vehicles. Instead, it would be more convenient to charge a fully electric car from solar panels on the roof of a house. Well there goes that daydream, party-poopers.
Let’s face it. Fossil fuels aren’t going to last forever, and hydrogen fuel cells require hydrogen for which we have no good means to mass produce. Solar energy is practically free, abundant, and shuts up all those activists always buzzing at your ear. What is there to lose? Oil companies? We won’t miss them. Will you?
via Trend News