Solar Electric Cars Research Articles

Study on Solar Powered Electric Vehicle with Thermal Management Systems on the Electrical Device Performance

This study aims to determine the reliability of applying a thermal management system in conjunction with Internet of Things in solar electric cars. In conventional electric cars or those whose driving energy source comes from gasoline fuel; the applied thermal management system is mainly used as a coolant for the internal combustion engine. However, for electric cars the thermal management system may be used for the main components such as controllers that convert solar module energy into electricity and batteries. Results from tests utilizing six DC fans for air cooling of the thermal management system yield two variations of battery charging conditions from the solar modules, namely variations of 25 and 400 turns of the trimmer constant current step-up charger. Test results from the proposed thermal management system show that the highest step-up charger temperature is 35.75 °C with voltage of 57.64 V for the variation of 25 laps. The test results on the battery voltage and temperature show that the highest battery temperature reaches 31.75 °C with voltage of 57.3 V at the variation of 25 rounds.

The parking dilemma for solar-powered vehicles

Parking a solar electric car in the sunshine will help charge its battery, increasing its driving range. On the other hand, it will also raise its indoor temperature, leading to the need to switch on the air conditioning to make it comfortable when driving, increasing the driving load and reducing the vehicle range. Thus, one may wonder if the solar-extended range is somehow reduced or even eliminated by the increasing demand due to air conditioning. To address this “parking dilemma”, we have characterized the thermal properties of a passenger car for typical summer conditions in a moderate latitude temperate location (Lisbon, Portugal) to be able to explore the vehicle's thermal performance when parked in the sun. Results show that effective solar charging depends critically on the onboard installed PV capacity. For the specific conditions tested and a 0.5 kWp PV system, the critical parking time below which the parking session does not contribute to net charging is around 2 h. For systems with more than 0.8 kWp installed capacity, parking in the sun always provides a positive impact on the vehicle's driving range.

Solar Powered E-Car

Abstract: The basic idea behind a solar electric car is to utilise the power that is stored in a battery both during and after a solar panel charge. Due to the fact that they don't release any greenhouse gases or other pollutants while in operation, solar automobiles are made with environmental protection in mind. Solar-powered cars have the ability to rapidly minimize the demand on fossil fuels, which would slow their depletion and reduce the negative effects of climate change. In this project, we'll investigate how a charge controller can be used to control the flow of electricity produced by a solar panel array into a battery pack. The stored energy will subsequently be used to power a PMS motor, which will drive the car. The direction and speed of the car's movements will be under our control via a motor controller. Additionally, we'll talk about the procedure for assembling the car's mechanical components. Finally, we'll demonstrate how to attach the electrical system to the car's mechanical frame.

Limitless Driving with Solar Electric Cars

Limitless Driving with Solar Electric Cars

Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator

Electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaics (PVs) are new technologies that will play an important role in the transportation industry over the next decade. Using solar panels on the roofs of cars is one of the simplest ways to reduce fuel costs and increase the mobility of electric vehicles. Solar electric cars can be charged anywhere under the Sun without additional infrastructure, but the problem is the size of the solar panel is limited on the roof and the electricity conversion efficiency of the panel is only 15% to 20%. This means they will not provide significant electricity to EVs. An effective way to increase efficiency is to utilize multi-junction solar cells with concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology. The challenge is that the moving sun-tracking mechanism will reduce the stability of the vehicle structure. To solve this issue, in this research, we present a static concentrator photovoltaic system for electric vehicles. This structure is more stable and simpler than CPV systems using sun-tracking mechanisms and thus suitable for car roof application. The CPV system includes solid compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs), three-junction solar cells, and a crystalline Si cell panel. This structure allows for the manufacture of a static CPV with a geometrical concentration ratio of 4× for three-junction cells. The simulation results showed that the module can achieve 25% annual efficiency. Moreover, it can be flexible to meet the requirements of car roof application.

Energy Performances Analysis of a Solar Electric Car in Togo

In sub-Saharan Africa the cost of transport is very expensive for the populations. As the car fleet is mainly made up of thermal cars, the high cost of transport is largely linked to the oil’s import. Faced with such a situation, it is important to find other means of transport in order to reduce the transport’s cost for the populations. One of the means of transport which seems to be an alternative solution is the solar electric car. But the difficulty for the solar electric car is its range. To improve car's range, it is necessary to analyze the performance of the car in driving conditions in order to understand the parameters that influence the range. Understanding and mastering these parameters will make it possible to make the best decisions to improve the car's range. In this article, we are interested in analyzing the energy performances of a solar electric car in Togo in order to understand the parameters that influence the car’s range. The simulation results show a considerable reduction in the car's range for high driving speeds, for excessive consumption of the auxiliary electrical circuits of the car, for driving the vehicle on a large slope, and when the car is transporting a large weight. The solar panel on the roof of the car is of great importance because it makes a significant contribution to the car’s range in sunny periods.

Electric Smart Solar Car System Based on Android

Along with the increasing number of motorized vehicles resulting in high pollution, energy efficient cars are needed. solar electric car is one of the car solutions fueled by henamt energy. the use of electric cars is considered more effective, in addition to reducing the use of petroleum fuels, it also does not cause pollution. This research makes solar electric cars using photovoltaic modules, electric cars and batteries. solar cell is a source of electrical energy to drive a DC motor supplied from batteries / batteries. while the battery is a storage place for electrical energy. The charge controller is a tool that functions to control the process of storing electrical power in the battery, the process of using the battery as a source of supplying electrical loads and monitoring the condition of the battery level during the charging and discharging process. for the operation of electric cars, android is equipped with automatic control of voice commands. The result of this research is a solar-powered electric car model that uses voice commands as a steering wheel.

Heating and cooling of a battery pack of a solar electric car

The purpose of the research is to analyse forced air cooling of a solar electric vehicle battery. Due to the conditions of safe battery performance, it is obligatory to keep its temperature under 45°C, so cooling should be provided. The battery pack is assembled of 420 battery cells with square pitch. At normal operating conditions of the solar car a forced air cooling thermal calculation is performed. Hydraulic calculation is carried out. The air pressure loss magnitude is calculated. A comparison of the geometric parameters of the corridor beam is presented. Based on a steady-state heat transfer analysis and hydraulic calculation, suitable airflow parameters and battery pack layout are selected.

Statička analiza napona sistema suspenzija za vozilo sa solarnim pogonom

Suspension systems are designed aiming at providing adequate handling, road holding, comfort and vibration control to a terrestrial vehicle. Being an important issue not only for regular road models, suspension design is a matter of concern that also regards solar electric cars, in which, due to limited power supply, stabilization and energy conservation are of utmost importance. Considering three basic types of suspension widely adopted in road vehicle design, this study presents a preliminary comparison among MacPherson, double wishbone and leaf spring systems, aimed at pointing out the most appropriate design for the solar-powered vehicle hereby considered. It includes a finite element static stress analysis, performed with parametric values for a quarter-car model.

Prediction of energy balance and utilization for solar electric cars

Solar irradiation and ambient temperature are characterized by region, season and time-domain, which directly affects the performance of solar energy based car system. In this paper, the model of solar electric cars used was based in Xi’an. Firstly, the meteorological data are modelled to simulate the change of solar irradiation and ambient temperature, and then the temperature change of solar cell is calculated using the thermal equilibrium relation. The above work is based on the driving resistance and solar cell power generation model, which is simulated under the varying radiation conditions in a day. The daily power generation and solar electric car cruise mileage can be predicted by calculating solar cell efficiency and power. The above theoretical approach and research results can be used in the future for solar electric car program design and optimization for the future developments.

Feasibility, emission and fuel requirement analysis of hybrid car versus solar electric car: a comparative study

The problem regarding environment has been considered as contemporary issue, and to cater this, various technologies have been revolutionized in vehicle transport field. Efforts have been made to make vehicle engine efficient and introducing hybridized vehicles with the aim of reducing emissions and less fuel dependency. In essence of this, trends of solar electric cars in different countries have been reviewed. Feasibility analysis is done by doing fuel cost analysis of two cases, i.e., simple hybrid vehicle and hybrid vehicle equipped with solar module and increased battery energy storage capacity for a specific round trip distance between two cities, i.e., Rawalpindi and Islamabad in comparison with feasibility of third case, i.e., proposed solar electric car model. The solar module selection along with desired number of batteries with charging and discharging time and motor power required to carry five persons weight (70 kg each) is calculated for third case. Moreover, total carbon dioxide emission analysis has been carried out from car material production to its assembly, manufacturing solar module and nickel metal hydride battery for each case. The annual carbon dioxide emitted from fuel in first two cases relative to electric outlet in third case for specific distance has been analyzed. On large scale, emission analyses for hundred cars of each case have been done at 100 km distance. From calculations, it is revealed that overall emissions in third case on large scale and from its material production, assembly, solar module and batteries manufacturing perspective are comparatively less than other cases.

Energy Realities for the Third Millennium

Complexity, controversy, and timidity continue to rule considerations of energy policy for the United States. This combination of impediments has guaranteed the continuing absence of a rational and comprehensive policy reconciling energy, environmental, economic, and security issues. A pragmatic set of energy milestones for America to achieve by the end of the first quarter of the next century can be easily defined: • The last coal-fired power plant and the first environmentally benign fusion power plant would have been built. • The first commercial assembly plant for hydrogen-fueled automobiles would have reached full production along with the creation of the necessary hydrogen fuel infrastructure throughout the country. • Clean, safe, and efficient transportation systems would have fully replaced the automobile in the core areas of the ten largest cities. • The first total conversion of a southwestern suburb to solar heating and cooling, solar electric house power, and solar electric cars would have been completed.

Solar energy, its conversion and utilization

This paper briefly presents a summary of solar energy research, comments on the need for continuing these studies, and describes the activities of the University of Florida Solar Energy Laboratory. These activities include converting solar energy to more practical forms of power, and devising ways to produce it in the fewest possible steps by the simplest means. The devices developed are used in the University of Florida Solar House with its Solar-Electric Car and solar-heated swimming pool.