So why don't we see...

[nonameo]

Solar cells on hybrid cars? They sit out in the sun all day when you're at work, you'd think you could get a little boost from that.

I know, I know... Cost, looks, easily damaged, etc..

edit: found it...

 

[RallyMaster]

So...while your car is sitting in the lot....it converts sunlight to electricity, stores that inside batteries and when it needs to use it, it takes it out of the batteries all while converting more from the sun while it's going. Something tells me there's an efficiency problem by going through all these steps....and most solar powered cars have their whole entire bodies covered in solar panels. I think a Prius would look even more retarded than it is right now if the whole roof was covered with solar panels....and where would you put that sunroof?

 

[amol]

My guess is that whatever boost they get wouldn't be worth the price.

Although I do remember seeing a BMW that used solar cells on the moonroof to power the A/C when the car was turned off but in the heat. Now that's nifty!

 

[Schadenfreude]

Can you imagine a car covered in solar panels getting a ding from a pebble going ~60(if it can go that fast 😉) on a highway? How much would THAT cost to replace?

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: nonameo
Solar cells on hybrid cars? They sit out in the sun all day when you're at work, you'd think you could get a little boost from that.

I know, I know... Cost, looks, easily damaged, etc..

Why not just leave your wallet full 'o money on the hood?

Course, could mount 'em on the inside on top of the dash. Make electricity and protect your dash :thumbsup:

I expect it to happen. They're able to make solar cells out of film these days. Just not many elect cars to put 'em in though.

Why not put 'em on top of elec golf carts? That seems a great place for 'em.

Fern

 

[nonameo]

LOL. Look what I found.

http://www.myninjaplease.com/green/?p=455

 

[DrPizza]

A few years ago, I followed a solar powered car for 10 miles or so. It was a pretty neat vehicle. Ultra streamlined with a lot of surface area for the solar cells. However, I believe they were pushing the limits of the solar power. Or, to put it another way, you could have put the body of the vehicle over a recombant bike, and a person could have propelled it just as fast. Fred Flintstone anyone? Think of it this way: why don't we put bike pedals in the back seat for when we're transporting our kids? They could contribute some energy to the vehicle.

Heyyyyyyy, maybe I've got a neat idea! Some sort of retrofitted pedal driven generator for the back seat!

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
A few years ago, I followed a solar powered car for 10 miles or so. It was a pretty neat vehicle. Ultra streamlined with a lot of surface area for the solar cells. However, I believe they were pushing the limits of the solar power. Or, to put it another way, you could have put the body of the vehicle over a recombant bike, and a person could have propelled it just as fast. Fred Flintstone anyone? Think of it this way: why don't we put bike pedals in the back seat for when we're transporting our kids? They could contribute some energy to the vehicle.

Heyyyyyyy, maybe I've got a neat idea! Some sort of retrofitted pedal driven generator for the back seat!

Make a new Wii game, and have the controllers strap to the kids' feet. They pedal, producing energy, while at the same time, get something done in their game.
It's just an updated version of dangling a carrot in front of a horse.

 

[NiteWulf]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
It's just an updated version of dangling a carrot in front of a horse.

...And now you know what children are really for