Re: [Biofuel] Future car: What will you be driving?

[Kirk McLoren]

The article states

 

The 300 VDC output of the solar subsystem is attached to the switched side of the original Prius battery, so the PV battery cannot recharge the NiMH while the ignition is off. The PV system can inject a maximum of up to 2 amps continuously into the battery while the ignition is on. [...]

The decision not to charge the hybrid when the car is off was a pragmatic choice, given the financial and time constraints of his project. Among other issues, there would need to be a thorough analysis to determined the optimal PV-NiMH energy flow/charge relationship.

-------------------------------------------

 

The article is conjecture. It has NOT been demonstrated as per the confession above. Solar cells are sensitive to orientation. They are also sensitive to occlusion, ie dirt or bird droppings or whatever. At least an inclined array is somewhat self cleaning and develops full power.

Note the article said a maximum of 2A ([EMAIL PROTECTED] =600 watts) Again the photo and description says 270watts of pv.Quite a trick to get 600 watts out of 270.

 

I wouldnt use this article as an example of anything but innacuracy.

I still assert the cells would be far better off at the garage roof or somewhere where oriented.And the dollars spent probably better invested in a biofuel setup.

 

Kirk

Mike Weaver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

But it would add a huge degree of efficiency,

If the funds were there I'd enhance the battery back and include
capacitors. My noodling was with an old Isuzu Trooper - lots of room up
top for panels, and a lot of sre room to tinker.

Here's one person's expiriment:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/solar-powered_t.php

Kirk McLoren wrote:

> The photovoltaics are non essential. In fact it is arguable that non
> concentrating cells are not a viable renewable enrgy source.
> The diesel on the other hand is the obvious answer and it is odd the
> hybrids are gasoline.
> The battery bank would be better replaced with supercap technology
> such as Skeltons (in prototype phase) but in the meantime we will have
> to muddle through.
> Kirk
>
> */Ron Peacetree <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>/* wrote:
>
> Back on the actual subject listed as the topic of this thread...
>
> A little digging has convinced me that a diesel-electric hybrid w/
> photovoltaic cells on the the hood/roof/trunk could easily be the
> basis for vehicles that could completely replace the traditional
> gasoline/diesel based ground/water vehicles currently in use at
> acceptable levels of performance, economy, etc.
>
> (Air travel vehicles operate under more stringent constraints that
> I'm not sure this "diesel/electric w/ PV assist" power supply idea
> could satisfy.)
>
> A rotary diesel motor could supply as much as 2HP / liter; perhaps
> more if optimized for constant rpm.
>
> The battery problem should be solved by using fuel cells since
> they provide far more energy per unit weight.
> Until fuel cells are available, there are many new ideas for
> increasing even the efficiency of the "standard": the lead-acid
> battery (spin off company from Case or John Deer that gets ~2x the
> power/weight out of lead acid batteries IIRC?) that could fill in.
> For applications not as economically constrained, the "exotics"
> like Li-ion are of course an option.
> However, fuel cells seem to best any battery technology I've heard of.
>
> PV cells of as high as 42% efficiency are now reality; and I'm
> told by people in the that business that mass production would
> _significantly_ reduce their costs.
>
> This is a recipe for, say, a car, that fits all the constraints a
> normal consumer would have... ...and gets 100-200mpg while doing it.
>
> With these kind of fuel efficiencies and a little common sense as
> to what crops to use as the basis for biodiesel (ultimately I
> would think that a crop bred/engineered to be specialized for
> bio-diesel production would be the best solution...), the amount
> of farmland required for growing the crops needed to produce the
> biodiesel needs of a country would be _far_ less than any of the
> current estimates.
>
> Doing this would not only be "green" and conserve our petro-diesel
> resources for uses that so far they are the only unique source
> for, such as certain plastics and medical products, ....
>
> It might also help Us avert the continuing escalation of violence
> in the Middle East that seems to be at the moment the most likely
> cause of WWIII.
>
> Where do I sign? And how do We get "our leaders" to pursue what
> seems to be an eminently logical course of action for anyone who
> loves their children and their planet?
>
> Ron Peacetree
>
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