solar car

The solar car is an electric car that uses solar energy. This energy is obtained from solar panels called photovoltaics on the upper surface of the vehicle. These photovoltaic (PV) cells connect to provide a 48-volt battery charge and convert sunlight directly into electricity to power the vehicle. Solar cars are not listed as general cars that you see every day on the street, but are mainly made for racing, engineering purposes, or for mere display, and the projects are usually funded by the government.

The technology these solar-powered cars use is the same technology used for satellites on international space stations, and can also be seen in bicycles and automobiles. The development of these special vehicles is very limited due to their power source which requires batteries and solar energy, making them ineffective at night. But most solar cars ever built have been used for racing purposes. Two of the most recognized solar car racing competitions are the World Solar Challenge and the North American Solar Challenge, and their participants are mostly university members.

The most vital part of a solar car is its electrical system. The electrical system serves to control all incoming and outgoing power. The battery packs for these cars work in the same way as a regular car’s gas tank in storing energy for future use. Solar car battery types include lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and lithium-polymer batteries. Solar cars are designed to minimize friction and weight while maximizing strength at the same time. Usually these cars are made up of titanium and composites to keep the discrepancy.

The unique design of the solar car makes it very unconventional, but not really suitable for use on public roads. Building a car like this is not as difficult as it seems, because the materials necessary for the development are not extremely expensive. In fact, anyone can build their own solar cars if supplied with the right materials.