PV Gap

Glenda Said:

What kind of wires do I use if I want to build a solar car?

We Answered:

In this case any plastic insulated hookup wire will be adequate. Use the wires on the solar panels if they have them as a guide for how big they need to be.

In a full sized car the wires should be rated to carry the maximum current that the solar panels can produce. The size can be found from wire tables. I would go for flexible (multi-strand) wire as used in car wiring harnesses. It would make sense to go for the next size up, to allow for operation in the sun (extra heating) and minimise voltage drop. Calculate this from the maximum solar panel current and the wire resistance (also from tables) using Ohms law (V = IR). If it is more than a few percent go for a bigger wire.