Michael Ross via EV wrote:
Here's what you need to SWAG the utility of PV panels on the truck...
Michael starts out strong, but wanders off before getting to the final
result. Let's try again.
Let's pick a PV panel as a test case. A quick Google search to "buy PV
panels" takes us to http://sunelec.com/solar-panels. Most big panels
today have an advertised "peak power" of 200-300 watts. They are roughly
3 feet x 6 feet (about the most you can get on a car or pickup), and
cost around $200-$300 ($1 per watt). Let's say we pick one advertised at
250 watts peak.
Now, how much sun do you get in your location? NREL publishes maps with
the effective number of hours of sun per day averaged over a year.
Here's one copy of the NREL chart:
http://understandsolar.com/calculating-kilowatt-hours-solar-panels-produce/
I live near Minneapolis MN, so I effectively get 5 hours per day.
Obviously, the sun is up much more than this, but is only a full
brightness at noon. This factor corrects for the lower output in morning
and evening when the sun is at an angle.
So, if this PV panel is optimally positioned, it produces 250 watts x 5
hours = 1250 watthours = 1.25 KWH per day. But it's not optimally
positioned. On a vehicle, it's going to be lying flat, so the sun
strikes it at an angle. So take half of this value, or about 600
watthours per day.
How far can your EV go on 600 watthours? EV efficiency is usually around
200-300 watthours per mile. For a pickup truck, let's use the high end,
or 300 watthours per mile.
Thus, we can drive 600/300 = 2 miles per day on solar power. :-)
With care, you can do better. If careless, it can be even less!
--
Knowledge is better than belief. Belief is when someone else does
your thinking. -- anonymous
--
Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com
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