New Solar Panels for Hybrid Cars Improve MPG

Jimmuhua,
89 mA is not "always 89mA" if the voltage is changed from a constant power source.
P=I*V
P is power, I is amps and V is voltage.
So if the POWER from the solar cell is constant, then increasing the voltage(dc-dc converter) by 20 (12v to 240V) will reduce the amperage by 20 (89ma to 4.45ma).

Power is always Power for a closed loop circuit.

 

nm, did not see that this article was basically a reprint of the earlier Dec 2005 one.

Darrell - Did Gregg Johnson ever publish his results on the Prius he converted to solar?

 

Hi all... I'm very interested in this topic but can see the current limitations of the systems available. Has anyone cheked out this product:??

solar electrical vehicles

It seems to be a better (more power) design than the earlier one discussed in this thread. Seems like it has better power output (215W) and an extra battery to help store the extra power. If it's been discussed can you link me to the current thread.

just seemed like an interesting possibility.

thanks alot,

-Peter B

 

Wow! Where did they come from?

215 watts is actually beginning to get useful. A 1kW array will typically average 5 kWh per day, so this could give just over 1 kWh per day. Too much for the existing OEM battery to store, but enough for 5 miles per day or 1,800 miles per year (their 20 miles per day claim isn't right).

 

Perhaps we can set this guy up with those marketing students who were working on a project and asked (either here or on Prius Online) if we'd buy just such a contraption with just such inflated mileage claims.

They seem to believe in the concept, and so does he...

 

I have some questions on this topic. I know everyone here is stating that a 5 or 10 percent improvement is not possible because this system would only add 2 km per day to your travels. The thinking here would be, if that is a 10 percent increase then 100 percent would mean only driving 20 km per day.

When I read this a year ago I had a different understanding on this topic. I was under the impression that the solar panels put power into the secondary battery and then while the Prius was traveling it would feed power into the system.

So here are the questions.

How much improvement could be made if you are already going 40 MPH using cruse control and this power is fed into your system? Could you go from 50 mpg to 55 mpg? That would be a 10 percent increase right. I mean how much power would you need to get that little "oomph" to push you that little bit more?

Let's say you drive 20 miles per day, 10 miles each way to and from work. How much wattage would it take for you to get that little push that would give you a 10 percent increase in your mpg?

Please note I still don't think it would be worth it however, getting 55mpg is 10 percent better then 50 mpg.

 

Better yet, what if you drive 40 mph for 50 miles at 50mpg and drive in the sun with no clouds in the sky. (Not likely) How much energy would it take to push you to 55mpg? I like 50 miles better for easy math.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maggieddd @ Dec 7 2005, 11:22 AM) [snapback]169309[/snapback]</div>

Efusco, will you order a ddimer to r/o DVT(low clinical suspicion) or do you always go for the LE doppler?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(burritos @ Oct 26 2006, 06:33 PM) [snapback]338904[/snapback]</div>

In my opinion, d-dimers only help with DVT/PE if there is only VERY low probability, and them only in the absence of concurrent thromboembolic prophylaxis/anticoagulation, not post-surgical, and not age>70. If you think there is a real chance, and that is why you are looking, then do the dopplers or spiral CT as appropriate.

D-dimer is helpful for following sepsis and therapeutic interventions (early response), and of course for assessment and management of DIC.

These are only my opinions and are not meant to guide any therapy whatsoever.

Back to PriusChat... I would love if in the future they could make the entire surface of vehicles a solar panel, but of course NOT LOOK like a solar panel.

 

I have seem marketing material from a company that makes BLACK solar cells (not just the surrounds). These are meant to fit into architectural surroundings better then the traditional "silver" look. They were less efficient the standard panels.

 

I would love solar over the entire car too. I know there are solar panels that can be put on window and seen through. Also the black ones you’re talking about have a black back ground you can still tell what they are. For the roof and hood you could get some top of the line 28% multi layered space industry panels but they will cost you about $300 per watt. I am not saying it would be financially viable, I am just say, lets see what can be done. One more thing I learned about solar panels I have a 75 watt panel and if you shade just one small area with your hand leaving 95% of the panel in the sun you cut the over all output by much more than that. That is way they say you don't even want partial shade, it just cuts the production down way too much.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pagoda113 @ Oct 26 2006, 05:52 PM) [snapback]338913[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for your input. It's always interesting to see all the MD's lurking on these boards while "waiting" for their patients to be put in the examination room.

Being in the clinic setting, often people will walk in with what most likely is a calf/leg/muscle strain. Of course they are worried about a clot, but want to be reassured it isn't one. It's always nice to have a confirmatory test if nothing more to protect oneself medically/legally. If it's a low probability I'd like the patient to avoid a trip to the ER or avoid the unnecessary doppler test which isn't always necessarily easy to schedule promptly. I've known that the ddimer has been "a easy way" to r/o dvt, but it'd be nice to hear from a ER doc(one who encounters more cases which teeters with medical/legal risk) to personally declare it a 'one's' standard of care.

 

Watch the Nanosolar video here:

http://www.nanosolar.com/cache/CNNvideo.wmv

* Reel to reel printed solar cells.
* 1/5th to 1/10th the cost of existing PV.
* Flexible sheets.
* Enormous production factory just being built.

 

Now that is awesome. I wonder how expensive that is? Imagine instead of having paint just have that in your favorite color and a layer of clearcoat.

 

interesting...