Clear-Coat/Gel paint as a Solar Cell?

[mozirry]

Would it be possible to eventually turn your entire paint job on your car into an active solar cell?

I'm picturing something that doesn't look like your standard solar cell (which obviously looks electronic in some way) and something that looks like a clear-coat paint.

Anyway, I was just thinking about it because I was looking at Hybrid/Electric cars yesterday and was wondering why they don't just squeeze out every bit of available free energy possible.



Obviously a solar cell type paint would be RIDICULOUSLY expensive and would have to be protected by some sort of coating/barrier I guess, so this may not be the most economical choice.

 

[firewolfsm]

there's really no point in getting the whole car, just the hood and the roof, maybe the trunk as well.

 

[BrownTown]

yeah, you really only want the top facing areas, but then you have to consider that this means you have to keep your car outside all day so it might get more wear and tear. Obviously the amount of energy gained while its driving is neglidgible to the amount consumed, so its not like it can just power itself.

So if your gonna do it you might as well just put the solar panels on your roof charging batteries and then plug the car in at night.

 

[firewolfsm]

Even while the car is running, the panels could be used to power the dashboard and maybe the speakers.

 

[uclaLabrat]

It's already been done, actually over 10 years old. A group at Caltech (led by Harry Gray) developed a ruthenium bipyridyl complex that could be incorporated into paint that acted as a solar cell for a small car. I forget how well it worked, but it was pretty interesting. Although the problem was reminiscent of Ford's dilemma circa 1920:

"You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's black."

 

[Cogman]

If you just attach panels to the car and don't take them off during driving, you will kill your gains with the increased wind resistance (unless it is in the paint like you suggested). So the most practical it would be is as a hybrid battery charger while the cars is resting, might save you a couple of ounces of gas.

 

[mozirry]

http://www.popularmechanics.co.../new_cars/4212545.html

maybe I just didn't research my thought enough, check out the possible specs for 2009 prious

 

[silverpig]

There are tons of paint-like solar cells. Check out nanosolar. This type of thing could be done easily.

 

[NorthernSink23]

Originally posted by: mozirry
http://www.popularmechanics.co.../new_cars/4212545.html

maybe I just didn't research my thought enough, check out the possible specs for 2009 prious

My co-worker has a Mercedes that has integrated solar panels in the moonroof which power the A/C once the engine has been shutoff to reduce fuel consumption. His car is at least 2 years old.