Solar Cars Are Here
Even though hybrid vehicles have been embraced for providing a degree of fuel efficiency and decreased emissions, automobile manufacturers seeking even more eco-friendly transportation solutions are exploring technologies such as solar power and plug-in recharging. Solar has several technological leaps to vault before being applied to the mass production of economical passenger cars, but experimental vehicles have been rolling for years as researchers push solar cell technology to new limits.
A symbolic gesture is what many are calling the planned option of a solar panel embedded in the roof of premium trims of the 2009 Toyota Prius. The array would mainly aid the air conditioning system. The implementation of an efficient and affordable system for using solar power to propel a production vehicle is still a long way off, but the use of solar power, although minimal, is a landmark for a production vehicle.
The Holy Grail of fuel efficiency for Toyota is to configure its 2009 Prius to get 80 miles per gallon. One of the technologies necessary to achieve this goal is the use of lithium-ion batteries which have a higher energy density than the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack the Prius currently uses. Toyota is also planning to release a number of plug-in Prius fleet vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries. The combination of hybrid drive, lithium ion batteries, and plug-in charging will allow these vehicles to run longer and faster to possibly achieve Toyota's goal of 80 mpg.
Solar Electrical Vehicles develops and manufactures solar panel recharging modules for the 2004 to 2007 Toyota Prius, Highlander, RAV4 EV, and Ford Escape Hybrid. The modules generate 215 watts of supplemental energy which extends the range and fuel efficiency of hybrids and EVs. Some manufacturers like Tesla Motors and Venturi have developed other solar powered applications for vehicles. Venturi's latest innovation is the Astrolab, an electric-solar hybrid that went into commercial production in January 2008. Recharging occurs either by plugging into a home outlet or by solar energy even while driving. Another interesting application of solar power is a plan by Tesla Motors to partner with SolarCity to develop a home roof-mounted photovoltaic system to charge their Roadster. Such a system would decrease the reliance on the home electrical system.
The photovoltaic cell or solar cell is a sandwich of two semiconductors which produce an electrical current when exposed to radiant energy. Methods to increase the output of these devices include the use of nanoprisms to focus the sun's rays, thinner materials, and the use of highly-ordered arrays of titania nanotubes. The efficiency of a solar cell is designated as a percent of light that hits it that is converted into electricity. The output of a solar cell is measured in watts or kilowatts. The multijunction photovoltaic cell is one of the devices that promise the highest efficiency with projected values from 30 to 60%. The Nuna4 won the World Solar Challenge in 2007 using an array of multifunction photovoltaic cells with an efficiency of over 26% and a speed of 88.2 mph.
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