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Ok, here's the reasoning. Forgive the oversimplification. An ICE runs as follows: 1. Electricity from the battery powers the spark plugs.2. Spark plugs ignite the gas.3. Explosion powers the pistons.4. Pistons turn (among other things) the alternator shaft.5. The alternator produces electricity.6. The electricity is fed (among other places) back to the battery to charge it. Here's the idea: On any ICE vehicle, add a solar panel (on the roof or whatever) which would feed directly to the car battery. The introduction of the extra electricity would take the 'drag' or load off of the alternator caused by recharging the battery. With less 'drag,' the engine would not have to work as hard, thus using less fuel. Problems: 1. I feel like I'm missing something about the ICE cycle or maybe the way electricity flows in an ICE system. 2. There may be a weight to benefit problem regarding 'carrying around' the panel vs. how much energy is being saved by the electricity it produces. 3. There is no benefit gained from the solar panel when the car is off which seems a shame. Possibilities: If the reasoning is correct, and you can overcome any weight to benefit issues, you could effectively turn any car into a 'hybrid.' I see the flexible thin film solar as possibly solving any weight problems. Or perhaps the semi-transparent solar glass that is under development.
wisebc, Jun 16 2008
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You might be better off putting your money into other elements of the vehicle to reduce its overall energy draw (for instance LED and discharge lighting), rather than add a few extra watts with solar panels.
I am not saying you cannot add solar panels, just don't put all your eggs in that basket.
They could over come some of the standby loads a modern car has, leaving it less likely to kill the battery.
You are correct that it may be beneficial to reduce the draw, though if the panel would work why not do both? Also, the average person may not have the motivation to change things out in their vehicle, but they might buy a panel if it was easy to deal with.
If the panel was really beneficial, I would want people of all walks of life to get one immediately. A 12-volt trickle charger might do the trick (or would it, anyone?) and they aren't terribly expensive so payback should be quick.
An easy install would be like the visor panel I read about in one of the other ideas, though outside the car would get more sunlight. Outside though you would have to contend with drag and regulations about how it would be attached (to keep it from flying away as you drive). Probably better to leave it to inside applications.
By standby load I assume you mean things like the clock, radio, computer, that sort of thing that runs even when the car is off?
The visor sized solar paned aren't very powerful, at least yet. To make any difference, you'd need panels on the hood, roof, and/or trunk.
By standby loads, yes, I do mean radio memory, clock, computer, security system, etc.