PV Gap

Allan Said:

What are the products in market that make car cool parked outside in hot sun becoz my dog bear heat?

We Answered:

NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your dog in a hot car even for less than a minute. Just don't do it. He will die a horrible, painful death. You should never leave anyone in a hot car. I hope to God that you are not serious.

If I ever saw an animal in a car on a hot day I would immediately smash the window to get the animal out and call the police.

Lonnie Said:

Deserts are basically waste land, but they get a lot of sun. Ideal properties for huge solar power farms?

We Answered:

Jack, your idea is already being built. There are some small experimental solar power stations in the desert. The earlier ones used solar electric panels with limited success, mainly because since these devices are made of silicone, like a computer chip, they slow down and lose production in high temperatures. There is a project underway to use solar thermal collectors in the Sahara Desert to produce massive amounts of electricity, which will be sent to power Europe on high voltage lines. The big difference here is they are not heating water directly to produce steam, instead they are heating oil to several hundred degrees, using both the power of the sun and the natural heat that exists in the desert, and the super heated oil is then used to heat water into steam. Another advantage to this is the oil holds its heat for much longer than the water, so even after the sun has gone down, some energy can be extracted, working like a thermal battery. The plan is to also use the excess during the day to run desalinators and vegetate the area around the solar farm to provide for the people that will live and work at the farm. The desalinators would only run when there was an excess of solar power, in the afternoon, and the fresh water could be stored in reservoirs. There are some excellent photos online, try googling, "Sahara Desert Solar Project," then click on Images near the top left of your screen.

Solar power is still a very small slice of our energy mix today, but like wind, as we find ways to improve its production and sustainability, it will grow quite quickly over time. Over the planet as a whole, wind power is being increased by almost 30% each year. In a few years, solar will most likely do the same. We live in a home in the Northern Midwest that is completely powered by the wind and sun. Twelve years ago when we started on the project, almost everyone thought we were wasting our time and money. Now our electric bills are less than $5 per month, and the power has not gone out at our home for even a minute the last 7 years. Now the general public tends to think the same thing about grid power coming from a renewable source as our neighbors thought about our home 10 years ago. If you want to learn more, there are some great non profit groups involved in this stuff, I will list some below. Take care jack, Rudydoo

Rachel Said:

What are the products available in market by which car remains cool when parked in hot Sun?

We Answered:

Trust me old asbestos hands I live in Texas. There is no products that will keep the interior of the car from becoming 130 to 140 degrees. Your only hope is to keep the steering wheel cool enough to touch with a reflective windshield cover. Windows down get air moving and turn on the A/C until you feel cold air then roll up the windows. I have tried everything from fans pinched into the windows to car covers. When I get off work I want my A/C. Being a Mechanic working over hot motors in a Non-Airconditioned repair shop. All metal boxes parked in the sun become ovens. I jump into 4 or 5 really hot cars every day in the long summer.

Johnny Said:

What Are the products available in market that make car cool when parked outside in sun?

We Answered:

The Solar fans will prevent the car from being hot, but will not cool it.