Is it time to re-visit solar hybrids?
 

I came across this paper a while back:

https://www.researchgate.net/publica...Solar_Vehicles

Since it was written the cost of solar panels has dropped by >90%!

We've seen eletric cars like Sono Sion and Lightyear One have solar panels, but it makes more sense to put solar panels on a non-plugin hybrid since energy in one of those is more valuable, about $0.12/kWh for electricity from the wall and $0.77/kWh for electricity in the car - more than six times as much! (with European fuel prices)

Recently the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima hybrids have come out with solar roof options.

No

I think it is interesting, and I didn't know the Sonata had this option.

This is apparently the potential for the 2020 Sonata's Solar Roof Option: "potentially a couple of miles of extra engine-off distance from six hours out in the sun, and up to 700 “free” miles back per year."

Like all these systems, it depends on how much sun you get, how much it costs the customer and manufacturer, and what you define as useful.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news...ing-solar-roof

If one major OEM is doing it, then hopefully others will follow.

Cost isn't the driving factor.

The issue is panel efficiency. At <20% efficiency, you need too much surface area to make it worthwhile. Can it make a small difference? Sure. 700 "free" miles is nothing to sneeze at, but when the cost of those 700 free miles is only... .05*700 = $35, it's hard to justify.

If I were living somewhere with a quite constant solar exposure all-year round, a solar hybrid wouldn't be out of question.

Now if a big array of panels could pop out of it all transformer-style, heck yeah!

If I lived somewhere with a constant solar exposure, I’d put the panels on the roof of my house and “solar” charge my car from the grid like a reasonable person.

Which part of non-plugin hybrid did you not understand? No one cares what a person who can plug their car to the wall would do, this is interesting to people who otherwise have to get all their car energy from gasoline.

The price drop during the last decade has brought the returns of car solar to levels comparable to the stock market.

Considering I bought a 300 watt flex panel for $65 (supposedly over 20%EFF)

Who cares?

The benefit
of the 12 volt surviving
Of Possible cooling fan operation
And added free range is worthwhile
And In the winter you could likely use excess power to power the seat heater
Seems like a no brainer as a gimmick and convience option

It’s all about cost, as manufacturers offer it you will drive cost down and reliability up.


I think of all the new car option costs and have to say no one seems to care about buying the $2000 premium audio I don’t see why this is any more efficient