by apollyon25 » Mon May 18, 2009 6:42 am
[quote="Driver"]
Solar panel? You must be kidding! It would take hours (if not days) unless you have a semi following you with extra panels to set out. And what happens if you run out of juice on a rainy day or after dark? I'd takemy chance with the gas can. leave the electric cars for running around town CLOSE to home.
[/quote]
Depends on the panel used. Modern panels are upwards of 70% efficient at conversion (compared with 25% efficient petrol)... Of course, it would also be possible to augment the battery supply with the solar supply during the journey. You could do things like lens the suns energy into a smaller panel, or use expanding reflectors like shuttle/spacestation/satellites; you also wouldnt have to walk to a service station - just to the first home... And passing cars would be able to top-up charge yours very quickly and could share solar output...
Though the system could probably predict to the metre when the battery would be depleted, not like that shite petrol gauge.
And of course R&D dollars are being spent on improving energy density of batteries which would extend the range and reduce the size/weight.
Loads more flexibility!
[quote="Driver"]
Solar panel? You must be kidding! It would take hours (if not days) unless you have a semi following you with extra panels to set out. And what happens if you run out of juice on a rainy day or after dark? I'd takemy chance with the gas can. leave the electric cars for running around town CLOSE to home.
[/quote]
Depends on the panel used. Modern panels are upwards of 70% efficient at conversion (compared with 25% efficient petrol)... Of course, it would also be possible to augment the battery supply with the solar supply during the journey. You could do things like lens the suns energy into a smaller panel, or use expanding reflectors like shuttle/spacestation/satellites; you also wouldnt have to walk to a service station - just to the first home... And passing cars would be able to top-up charge yours very quickly and could share solar output...
Though the system could probably predict to the metre when the battery would be depleted, not like that shite petrol gauge.
And of course R&D dollars are being spent on improving energy density of batteries which would extend the range and reduce the size/weight.
Loads more flexibility!
;D