The big question: Will solar powered cars drive us into the future?

Use of renewable energy in transportation is a pretty old idea. Scientists are working on it worldwide. Bio-diesel and ethanol fuel have already been used successfully. These biofuels have saved 68 billion liters of petroleum in 2009. However, it is solar energy, which holds the center stage in the quest for renewable sources for future transportation need.

solar-powered car

And despite decades of media attention, solar-powered cars are yet to enter commercial production lines. They are still confined within the laboratory floors, except few test cases here and there. University research teams are participating in racing programs with solar powered prototypes. But, commercial breakthrough is still not visible. So, your doubt would be legitimate if you ask, would they really drive us to future? or it is just another over-hyped technology.

Is it really that serious? Today every breath you take in your urban neighborhood is full of toxic substances. It could be from the oxide of nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and lead based compound additives or simply volatile organic compounds. These are emitted by nothing but our daily-used hydrocarbon driven vehicles. Besides, with depleting petroleum resources, energy prices are sky-rocketing all over the world.

Now it is the time to act, to stop adding more toxin into air, water and earth and to drive toward the future with cleaner energy. And that would be possible if we start relying on renewable energies like sunlight.

Due to proximity to sun, earth receives plenty of sunlight. Photovoltaic cells (PV) convert sunlight into electricity. However, the technology is still not very efficient and affordable. If scientists could invent a better way to capture solar energy, that should solve majority of persistent energy problems on Earth.

What others are saying

Researchers all over the world are working toward a breakthrough in solar technology. Universities are not only running test projects, they are working toward public awareness too. Green corporations are also extending their help for solar projects. One such project is Solartaxi. This is a completely solar powered car.

The developments

1. Gazelle 2 solar-powered ecofriendly car

Gazelle 2

After the invention of Havin and Gazelle 1 in Iran, a group of scientists have come out with Gazelle 2. This car weighs 150 Kg and is 5 meters long. With 22 percent more efficient solar cells, compared to the previous version, this car could reach a speed of 120 Kmph. Designers have used carbon fiber to build its body. Scientists attributed better efficiency of the car to its light weight design.

2. MITs Eleanor solar-powered car

Eleanor solar-powered car

Students team at MIT, engaged in solar powered car related research activity, is the oldest in North America. They have developed Eleanor, the solar power car with capability of running at a speed of 90 miles per hour. The car would participate in World Solar Challenge. The endurance of the technology would be tested there on a race track of 2000 miles. Its body is made from carbon fiber and sports 6 meters of solar cells, made from mono-crystalline silicon. Its solar cells could generate 1200 watts of electricity. For storing electricity, the car has exactly 693 numbers of lithium-ion cells. The car would be driven by a 10 horse power motor.

3. University of Minnesota unveils new solar-powered car

Minnesota’s solar-powered car

Solar Vehicle Project team of University of Minnesota has developed new solar powered car, named Centaurus 2. For better efficiency, scientists have relied on improved aerodynamics and encapsulation of solar arrays. The car is 6 feet wide and 16 feet long. The weight of the car is 400 pounds.

The main hurdles

Despite years of research, major breakthrough in solar powered car is yet to be found. The hurdle before the technology is multifaceted. First of all, photovoltaic cells are not yet optimally durable and efficient. Most sensitive cells, which are used in laboratory condition, generally fail to survive through tests in real life situations. Besides, they are extremely expensive for commercial uses.

Solar powered cars are basically electric vehicles (EV). Solar energy is used to charge batteries in these cars. And these batteries again drive motors. Currently available car batteries are very bulky. They make solar cars heavy and less powerful.

For regular commuting in solar powered car, there has to be proper grid based charging facilities. In the absence of charging grids, it won’t be feasible to use those cars for longer distances and in cloudy days. However, at present, there is hardly any such facility available. To build these infrastructures, countries would require considerable amount of investment and time.

What can be done?

At this juncture, it is clear that solar energy is a viable option before us. However, there exists a big gap between demand and supply. Commercially operational solar powered car would take few more days to arrive. But that cannot justify any inaction from you side.

For a change, you could install PV arrays on your roof and pour the electricity generated into the grid. The same electricity can be used for charging batteries of your electric vehicle. This way you could become carbon negative.