Use of solarpanel on vehicles - Research Paper Example

Solar powered cars are classified as electric vehicles whose energy source is derived from solar panels. Panels produce electricity through the conversion of rays from the sun into electric energy that is later stored in batteries. The energy that is stored in the batteries runs the car. Solar energy cars are same as other everyday vehicles since they have the features of a car. They consist of wheels, a steering wheel, a motor, seats, breaks, a body and more important some form of fuel to make them operate.

The only difference in solar powered cars is the kind of fuel that makes them operate. These vehicles are called solar cars because they use sunlight fuel for running. Whitwam (2014) observes that the development of solar powered cars began twenty years ago. These cars are powered by the sun. Though currently solar powered cars do not offer a practical solution to economic transportation, they are likely to play an imperative role in decreasing dependence on burning fossil fuels like diesel and petrol.

Solar powered cars are expensive to make and in most cases they are designed to accommodate up to two people. They are costly to make due to the big number of delicate and expensive photovoltaic solar panels which are required to power the car. Though most solar powered vehicles have a battery backup, they can only be used effectively under the sun. Batteries store electricity when the sun is available and stored power can then be used when the sky is cloudy. Batteries used in solar cars are normally Nickel-Cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, Lithium polymer batteries or Lithium ion batteries.

Cars powered by solar energy usually function in a range of between 80 and 170 volts. Wheels of solar energy cars are extremely narrow and in most cases are normally three in number. The wheels are narrow and few to minimize friction. Solar cars are usually packed in the sun when standing