Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Replacing alternator with solar panel array on roof?

larryrose11 · 07-28-2008, 03:55 PM

Hello all,
I have given this a LOT of thought, but my wife said no-way.
My friend here at Ford added 2 panels to his HEV escape. The DC-DC converter on this model is bi-directional. He left it disabled (factory default) when parked so as to not damage the HEV battery from overcharging during the day.

Here was my findings / plan
Solar panel: Use one from UniSolar: they are thin (about 5mm), flexible, and light. Easly mounts smoothly to the roof.
United Solar Ovonic
you can get them on eBay. The framed 64W will work. The frame can be removed, and the metal backing can be carefully removed by dissolved the adhesive with a solvent.

Replace your 12V SLA battery with a high capacity deep cycle, 100+AH.
Install a relay on the field of your alternator, so you can disable it remotly,
Finally, adjust the I-line control pin on your ECU so the alternator's only maintains your battery at 12.5V. Otherwise when you turn the field back on, it will fill the entire battery, killing your FE.

The 64W panel can fit on my Honda civics roof. It will only delver 5A in the sun, not nearly enough to run the 12v system on a regular car.

Over the whole day, the US-64 panel I have at home will delver about 30 Ah in my experience. The rest should charged at home every night, like AndrewJ micro-PHEV setup. AndrewJ saw a 10% increase in FE from the micro-PHEV setup. The solar pannel would help top up the battery during the day after the morning drive in, but wouldnt provide much power when under way. The efficiency of non-space grade panels is pretty low (10% for thin film, 14% for crystalline), and the sun provides 1kW/m^2.

07-28-2008, 03:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
larryrose11 Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Detroit area, MI. Posts: 42 Silver Civic - '97 Honda Civic 2 door DX coupe 90 day: 35.57 mpg (US) Wagon - '01 Ford Foccs ZTX 90 day: 35.46 mpg (US) Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Solar altenator? Hello all, I have given this a LOT of thought, but my wife said no-way. My friend here at Ford added 2 panels to his HEV escape. The DC-DC converter on this model is bi-directional. He left it disabled (factory default) when parked so as to not damage the HEV battery from overcharging during the day. Here was my findings / plan Solar panel: Use one from UniSolar: they are thin (about 5mm), flexible, and light. Easly mounts smoothly to the roof. United Solar Ovonic you can get them on eBay. The framed 64W will work. The frame can be removed, and the metal backing can be carefully removed by dissolved the adhesive with a solvent. Replace your 12V SLA battery with a high capacity deep cycle, 100+AH. Install a relay on the field of your alternator, so you can disable it remotly, Finally, adjust the I-line control pin on your ECU so the alternator's only maintains your battery at 12.5V. Otherwise when you turn the field back on, it will fill the entire battery, killing your FE. The 64W panel can fit on my Honda civics roof. It will only delver 5A in the sun, not nearly enough to run the 12v system on a regular car. Over the whole day, the US-64 panel I have at home will delver about 30 Ah in my experience. The rest should charged at home every night, like AndrewJ micro-PHEV setup. AndrewJ saw a 10% increase in FE from the micro-PHEV setup. The solar pannel would help top up the battery during the day after the morning drive in, but wouldnt provide much power when under way. The efficiency of non-space grade panels is pretty low (10% for thin film, 14% for crystalline), and the sun provides 1kW/m^2.