Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Fossil Fuel Free
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 11-24-2008, 05:30 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Turtle Solar film - could it help power a vehicle?

I read recently about a new development in solar collectors. It was a thin film that could be put over windows to collect solar power to be turned into electricity. Apparently the electrons were located along the edges of the film.

My thought was when (or if) this technology becomes economically feasible to use, could one put it on an electric car's hood(or even on a rechargeable hybrid), trunk and roof and then help to charge the batteries with it? I don't know enough about solar power to know if a solar converter and a charger would weigh a lot.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 11-24-2008, 05:34 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,530

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,978 Times in 3,613 Posts
The issue isn't weight so much as it is the cost of the cells and their output.

Typically the cost is very high and the power output fairly low (relative to the power demands of the vehicle).

People who have added panels to electric passenger cars (or hybrids) typically report that they provide a very small boost in range (let's say a couple of miles).
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 05:47 PM   #3 (permalink)
Misanthropologist
 
captainslug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Sterling, VA
Posts: 383

BORK! - '89 Volvo 240 DL Wagon
90 day: 21.27 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2
Thanked 24 Times in 13 Posts
To supplement the drive system they do not offer enough to warrant the expense that could be used elsewhere.
The application I have seen that is an excellent idea is their inclusion in the Aptera, which uses the solar panels only for climate control. Even when the car is parked the power from the solar panels is used to help vent excess heat from the passenger compartment.
This helps reduce the power demand needed to run the air conditioning when the car becomes occupied.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 06:50 PM   #4 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,530

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,978 Times in 3,613 Posts
Good point, captainslug.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 08:18 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master Novice
 
elhigh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE USA - East Tennessee
Posts: 2,314

Josie - '87 Toyota Pickup
90 day: 29.5 mpg (US)

Felicia - '09 Toyota Prius Base
90 day: 52.44 mpg (US)
Thanks: 427
Thanked 616 Times in 450 Posts
Well, at least one guy on here took off his alternator and replaced it with a bank of batts to avoid parasitic drag - solar film could help keep those topped up.

If I could, I'd add a couple of flexible panels to the roof of the subie and take its alternator off. Anything that might drag its miserable mileage into the thirties would be welcome.
__________________




Lead or follow. Either is fine.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 08:47 PM   #6 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
I thought I had read somewhere about photovoltaic paint... that someone was experimenting with it, trying to turn the paintjob on their car into a giant solar cell... I'm not sure how this would work, but it might be something worth looking into...

If nothing else, you could have the most expensive paint job on the block...
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 09:28 PM   #7 (permalink)
home of the odd vehicles
 
rmay635703's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere in WI
Posts: 3,891

Silver - '10 Chevy Cobalt XFE
Thanks: 506
Thanked 867 Times in 654 Posts
Yes it exists but is not yet marketable, the goal was an inefficient solar material that cost the same as paint making it stupid not to impliment, now to see if I can find the linky.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ View Post
I thought I had read somewhere about photovoltaic paint... that someone was experimenting with it, trying to turn the paintjob on their car into a giant solar cell... I'm not sure how this would work, but it might be something worth looking into...

If nothing else, you could have the most expensive paint job on the block...
Also I would argue that solar panels on an electric vehicle are NOT a waste!

The electric to drive a car is very cheap but the lead acid batteries sulphating while you sit at work are very expensive. One set of lead acid traction batteries would easily pay for several relatively small solar float charging systems.

The main advantage of a small solar panel is to pulse desulphate and float the batteries while you sit keeping your most expensive investment from wearing out as quickly. This is assuming you sit at work during the day like I do.

If your out at night no dice.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 09:42 PM   #8 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
If you're out at night, the car is still sitting outside in the driveway during the day, in most cases... wouldn't it have the same effect? Just a thought...

good argument pro-cell though.

I'd love to see that link, so I know I'm not remembering things that aren't really there.

PS did you really mean "inefficient" up there? I would wonder why they would want to make something "inefficient" is why I ask.
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 11:29 PM   #9 (permalink)
24.27 lbs per gallon Co2
 
Oval_Overload's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 217

Unicorn - '12 Nissan Versa 1.8S hatch
90 day: 31.9 mpg (US)
Thanks: 8
Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts
Inefficient=dirt cheap
__________________


Quote:
Hehehe... If one of your facial lacerations leaves a small scar, you'll have a SCarlett.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2008, 11:31 PM   #10 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oval_Overload View Post
Inefficient=dirt cheap
I kind of expected that answer... but at least they're looking at SOMETHING, as opposed to saying "it's too... (finish phrase)" and not doing it at all.

I'm still working on my wife w/ the "I can't" phrases... I hate it when she says it, and she usually says it right before finding out that "it" was one of the easiest things she's ever done.

__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Power Steering delete for fuel economy gain - anyone done it? bennelson EcoModding Central 92 01-27-2017 04:58 PM
Why We Have No Wind or Solar Power SuperTrooper General Efficiency Discussion 220 07-20-2011 11:37 PM
Flashing yellow light skyl4rk EcoModding Central 5 08-01-2010 02:57 PM
nuclear plants groar The Lounge 76 06-19-2009 05:06 PM
CA Vehicle Code - Mirrors thebrad Aerodynamics 2 08-31-2008 12:03 AM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com