What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 2, 2024 19:30 UTC (Sun) by Wol (subscriber, #4433)
In reply to: What about the gas guzzlers? by tuna
Parent article: Opt Green: KDE Eco's New Sustainable Software Project

I've heard of electric cars, that if you are a low(ish) mileage guy, and you live in Southern Europe (Spain was the example), the solar panels on the car would keep it topped up. Such that in normal use (15K km), you would probably never need to charge it except on long journeys.

It was probably just a prototype at the moment, but it came over as real and soon to be ready for prime time ...

Cheers,
Wol

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 2, 2024 20:10 UTC (Sun) by tuna (guest, #44480) [Link]

Putting solar panels on cars is pretty inefficient. Put them over the parking places instead.

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 3, 2024 6:35 UTC (Mon) by LtWorf (subscriber, #124958) [Link] (6 responses)

I think that only works if you live somewhere that is completely flat (which no place in southern europe is) and never has bad weather (which can happen for weeks at a time, despite what tourists imagine), and not in winter (which does exist in sothern europe).

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 3, 2024 8:49 UTC (Mon) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (5 responses)

You've missed two points ... I did say the car wasn't used heavily (15K km is quite low nowadays). And when you're talking about sunlight, the seasons are irrelevant. What matters is latitude ...

Back of a fag-packet maths ... my PHEV has a range of 30 miles and takes 5hrs to charge (at 13A that's roughly 3KW). So 6 x 250W panels will do a full recharge a day. I think you'd get that if you put the panels on roof, bonnet, and boot ...

And 365x30m is my 10K m/year ...

Cheers,
Wol

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 3, 2024 20:35 UTC (Mon) by mathstuf (subscriber, #69389) [Link] (4 responses)

> my PHEV has a range of 30 miles and takes 5hrs to charge (at 13A that's roughly 3KW). So 6 x 250W panels will do a full recharge a day. I think you'd get that if you put the panels on roof, bonnet, and boot ...

I can only imagine the efficiency hits from car washes, road debris (stones kicked up, improperly covered dump trucks, etc.), and snow clearing. Folks are already merely OK at taking care of clearcoat-finishes, never mind something where cleanliness actually affects performance.

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 3, 2024 21:35 UTC (Mon) by LtWorf (subscriber, #124958) [Link] (3 responses)

Let's not forget that in the summer you want to park in the shade to avoid getting baked when you enter the car. But if you do that the car won't be going anywhere.

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 3, 2024 22:58 UTC (Mon) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (2 responses)

The point is, though, the maths says if all your ducks line up, it works for your average vehicle! Given that your average vehicle (the mean) actually drives a lot further than your typical vehicle (the median), that's two thirds of all vehicles potentially not needing to be refuelled.

If the potential is there today, the probability is there tomorrow.

As for parking in the shade, it'll still charge (just not so well). Park in the sun and a lot of the heat won't happen because it'll be turned into electric instead. And do what I do - leave the sun roof slightly open. It dumps a lot of heat :-)

Cheers,
Wol

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 4, 2024 1:52 UTC (Tue) by mathstuf (subscriber, #69389) [Link]

> leave the sun roof slightly open. It dumps a lot of heat :-)

Though, being on the English Isles, I'd expect rain to be a constant threat to turn that into a "rain roof" (it's a threat here too as northeast US weather can be quite…indecisive). Not to mention pollen season. There are guards for side windows to allow for a slight opening while protecting from everything short of actual-horizontal rain. It even allows for a cross-breeze.

Anyways, cars are already growing gadgets at an alarming rate. Even more things to go wrong doesn't sound great to me. With all the sensors around cars these days, even a fender bender can result in a "total it" conclusion :( . With extension to parts that are inert metal even in Teslas being "safety critical", what's to be done with comprehensive insurance coverage premiums if a bird strike can result in thousands of dollars of repairs and a potential "total it" result?

What about the gas guzzlers?

Posted Jun 4, 2024 7:51 UTC (Tue) by LtWorf (subscriber, #124958) [Link]

Consider that:

1. garages and underground parking exists
2. city streets, especially where narrow (typical in southern europe) get sunlight only 4 hours a day at most
3. I think you're considering the energy created by optimally oriented solar panels. Not badly oriented ones that sit in the shade for hours
4. As the owner of a 5 years old hybrid vehicle. At this point the batteries are essentially dead weight that I pay more fuel to move around for absolutely no advantage.

I take it you've never spent a summer in southern europe. But as a british with no experience you feel nonetheless compelled to teach the sicilian how it's not a problem to park in the sun in the summer. I guess you can tolerate 70° and up better than me!

Also overheated batteries can explode.