Are Solar Powered Cars Really Effective?

First, of course is, “What is a solar powered car?” In the simplest of terms, it’s an electrical car, but instead of plugging in, the electricity is derived for solar energy panels that are attached directly to the top of the car.

The photovoltaic (PV) solar energy panels capture the energy and convert it into electricity.

Right now, solar powered cars aren’t created for long distances, and they do require a lot of direct sunlight to operate correctly. The solar energy panels that capture the sun’s rays transfer any additional energy not needed for immediate operation into batteries in the vehicle. There, the electrical power is stored for later use. With our current technology, the batteries can only store a small amount of additional electricity, and simply aren’t powerful enough to run a vehicle for anything other than a short distance.

So…the short answer to “How effective are solar powered cars?”… right now is “Not effective enough.”

However, solar powered cars may well be one of the best solutions to reduction of our environmental footprint…and our dependence on fossil fuel.

While coal-burning plants step up to the number one spot for the creation of greenhouse gases, vehicles fall into the second spot. Falling into first place for both sources of greenhouse gas emissions is the United States, contributing 2.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide through coal-burning power plants, and 1.5 billion tons through automobile engines.

With only 4% of the world’s population, the United States is still clearly the biggest offender. The indicators of forward progress as a strong environmental defender have been hard to see, despite having both the technology and the desire to make a real contribution.

Take a quick look and you can’t miss the automobile and energy industries lobbying efforts. The number of SUV’s and other gas-guzzling large vehicles you see on the streets today are a clear indication of the strong hold fossil-fuel industries hold on the American market, along with their ability to thwart legislation and incentives that might actually produce tangible results.

Solar powered cars in the United States are currently developed nearly exclusively for race cars. The cockpits are deliberately kept small, and the vehicles light. The solar energy panels that are used on these cars costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their technology, however, clearly shows their capability…they can run fast and produce absolutely no pollution. This includes no noise pollution as the panels work silently in collecting and storing energy.

Globally, in the last few years, there have been a few solar powered cars (although not totally vehicle-generated electricity) built that are for use by the general public. These cars are generally what’s called a SPEV, or solar powered electrical vehicle. Most are small, one person vehicles suitable for short commutes – back and forth to work or to the grocery store. One notable advance, however, is in the solar powered five-door Blue Car hatchback, which is a fully electric vehicle with solar panels being produced in Europe. The ad in inhabitat.com states: “The solar panels on the vehicle’s roof provides some power to the vehicle’s systems. It comes with regenerative brakes and a Lithium Metal Polymer batteries, and has a range of 155 miles per charge. According to the manufacturer, all the materials in the construction have been sourced to be as environmentally friendly as possible.”

Similarly, the Toyota Prius, an electric hybrid car, has added an optional solar roof that can add power for a vehicle for approximately 20 miles. While this may seem a very small contribution, every additional solar “mile” operated makes a larger contribution to our carbon footprint.

With solar powered cars, we have a real, viable solution to global warming. They also reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and contribute positively to reducing the energy crisis. And if you want to know what immediate, personal benefit they’ll have for you…besides no more trips to the gas station…just think; no oil changes, no tune-ups…and no emissions check. Hey, on the practical side, what else could you ask for?

We can each make a contribution to diminish our carbon footprint. We can contribute to this country and the world…when we invest through our purchases and our voice…when we insist that our representatives in the House and Senate invest with us…in solar power.

Solar powered cars can…and will become…more effective and more economical as we support the technology, and insist on research and development to further their manufacture and distribution.

Want to find out more about solar power cars, then visit Timothy Peters’s site at: www.HomeSolarPowerExplained.com