PV Gap

Shelly Said:

is there a solar power car?

We Answered:

A solar vehicle is an electric vehicle powered by a type of renewable energy, by solar energy obtained from solar panels on the surface (generally, the roof) of the vehicle. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert the Sun's energy directly into electrical energy. Solar vehicles are not practical day-to-day transportation devices at present, but are primarily demonstration vehicles and engineering exercises, often sponsored by government agencies.

Solar cars combine technology typically used in the aerospace, bicycle, alternative energy and automotive industries. The design of a solar vehicle is severely limited by the energy input into the car (batteries and power from the sun). Virtually all solar cars ever built have been for the purpose of solar car races (with notable exceptions).

Like many race cars, the driver's cockpit usually only contains room for one person, although a few cars do contain room for a second passenger. They contain some of the features available to drivers of traditional vehicles such as brakes, accelerator, turn signals, rear view mirrors (or camera), ventilation, and sometimes cruise control. A radio for communication with their support crews is almost always included.

Solar cars are often fitted with gauges as seen in conventional cars. Aside from keeping the car on the road, the driver's main priority is to keep an eye on these gauges to spot possible problems. Cars without gauges almost always feature wireless telemetry, which allows the driver's team to monitor the car's energy consumption, solar energy capture and other parameters and free the driver to concentrate on driving.

Electrical and mechanical systems

The electrical system is the most important part of the car's systems as it controls all of the power that comes into and leaves the system. The battery pack plays the same role in a solar car that a petrol tank plays in a normal car in storing power. Solar cars use a range of batteries including lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH), Nickel-Cadmium batteries (NiCd), Lithium ion batteries and Lithium polymer batteries.

Many solar race cars have complex data acquisition systems that monitor the whole electrical system while even the most basic cars have systems that provide information on battery voltage and current to the driver.

The mechanical systems of a solar car are designed to keep weight and space a minimum while maintaining strength. Designers normally use titanium and composites to ensure a good strength-to-weight ratio.

Solar cars usually have three wheels, but some have four. Three wheelers usually have two front wheels and one rear wheel: the front wheels steer and the rear wheel follows. Four wheel vehicles are set up like normal cars or similarly to three wheeled vehicles with the two rear

Solar array

The solar array consists of hundreds of photovoltaic solar cells converting sunlight into electricity. The larger arrays in use can produce over 2 kilowatts (2.6 hp).

The solar array can be mounted in several ways:

* horizontal. This most common arrangement gives most overall power during most of the day in low latitudes or higher latitude summers and offers little interaction with the wind. Horizontal arrays can be integrated or be in the form of a free canopy.
* vertical. This arrangement is sometimes found in free standing or integrated sails to harness wind energy.[1] Useful solar power is limited to mornings, evenings, or winters and when the vehicle is pointing in the right direction.
* adjustable. Free solar arrays can often be tilted around the axis of travel in order to increase power when the sun is low and well to the side. An alternative is to tilt the whole vehicle when parked. Two-axis adjustment is only found on marine vehicles, where the aerodynamic resistance is of less importance than with road vehicles.
* integrated. Some vehicles cover every available surface with solar cells. Some of the cells will be at an optimal angle whereas others will be shaded.
* trailer. Solar trailers are especially useful for retrofitting existing vehicles with little stability, e.g. bicycles. Some trailers also include the batteries and others also the drive motor.
* remote. By mounting the solar array at a stationary location instead of the vehicle, power can be maximised and resistance minimized. The virtual grid-connection however involves more electrical losses than with true solar vehicles and the battery must be larger.

The choice of solar array geometry involves an optimization between power output, aerodynamic resistance and vehicle mass, as well as practical considerations. For example, a free horizontal canopy gives 2-3 times the surface area of a vehicle with integrated cells but offers better cooling of the cells and shading of the riders. There are also thin flexible solar arrays in development.

Brent Said:

Is Solar Power really an option for most homeowners?

We Answered:

For ordinary people like yourself its a waist of money . The price tag is way to high . For guys like me the solar cell is sent from heaven . I build my panels from scrap broken cells and build small wind mills from junk i have a few pics in my blog . For the average guy it is ridiculous to pay that much . Your best off holding off until they come out with a better solution for energy .

Leslie Said:

What is the cost of solar powered Air Conditioning units?

We Answered:

hey give us link to these companies , I don`t believe it.

Edit,, The first 2 links are the same , the "coolorado"
The sales pitch Is very misleading indeed. Leading people to believe it is a real A/C which it is not. What it is , is an evaporative cooler. Informally know as a"swamp cooler" and is has been used in arid climates for over a century. They are simply using a 600 watt solar array to power the fan motor. and maybe a water pump. Or the that may be powered by the water system pressure. It could work very well for your 500' space.
I have lived in a house in So. Calif that had a swamp cooler and it was comfortable. They are those box mounted on roofs of houses, you prob know what they are.
I do not believe that what they said that infomercial about a 3000' house. If you listen to again with a critical ear. You see how they choose their words very carefully as not to just tell you it is an evaporative cooler. Which is just fine as i said, but that is what it is. A solar powered fan. And a fan powered with 250 to 600 watts would not move enough air though duct work for 3000' but could blow air into a 500' space.
The other one is Battery power system
This one is a real but typical "split system A/C" ( google that if you don`t know what it is) . powered by 48 volts DC instead of AC power. The only difference is ,The motor and electronics work from DC power and not AC power . Other than that is like all other A/C units ,not a solar powered A/C unit but a "battery powered " 48 volt A/C system The batteries are then solar charged. And are also charged with a diesel Generator during times of low solar output .
Those type units are used where someone has built a very large solar array with a huge battery bank and computer controller. That would power the whole house or building.
Those type of systems cost 30,000 to 60,000 dollars just for solar power and battery bank required. You can read more about those type if you research solar power houses.

I think the swamp cooler would suit your purpose ( 500 sq ft ) if you live in an arid climate. As to the cost ? just call them and ask. You wont need much ducting in that small space .

Yolanda Said:

Why are Americans brainwashed into thinking solar power and any alternative to oil is a bad, bad thing?

We Answered:

The thing is the oil compagnies don't want to lose money so they brainwash people into thinking the alternative isn't any good.
Meanwhile the others are powerless.
(The Oil compagnies are more powerful than the latter)

Esther Said:

Question involving cost=power x time x cost of 1kwh?

We Answered:

total cost = (rate per kwh)(number of kwh) or one pound = 100 p = [ 12.5p/( 1 kwh) ] [ number kwh ] so that [ number kwh ] = 100 p / 12.5 p = 8 kwh . Since power = energy / time, we see that (power)(time) = energy. Also, since power in watt and time in hour or (watt)(time) = (power)(time) = energy, we find that the 100 p / 12.5 p = 8 kwh is just energy. Notice that we have not yet used the given power of 500W. From the formula time = energy / power, we get time = 8 kwh / 500w = 8(1000w)h /500w or time = 80h/5 = 16h.