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It would be a lot more useful to just put up solar panels wherever the car is being charged - it's not like the car is going to be able to gain any reasonable a
by GhostVII 7y ago
It would be a lot more useful to just put up solar panels wherever the car is being charged - it's not like the car is going to be able to gain any reasonable amount of range from the roof-based solar between charges anyways, so there isn't much benefit from having the solar panels on the car itself. Why put them on something that moves when you don't have to, for the cost of the solar panels on the car you could probably build much bigger solar panels over your parking spot or garage. Interesting gimmick, but I don't see how it is useful unless you don't have anywhere else to put solar, and even then it isn't saving you much.
- f5thesystem 7y agoI don't think for it to be useful it needs to completely power the car. Consider an average user using it to commute to work 5 times a week, where outside of commuting, the car is driven maybe a little over the weekend. Reality is that most of the time the car isn't doing anything. So if solar can give your car a few extra miles everyday you commute, it seems potentially worth it then.
- odonnellryan 7y agoPlenty of people put there car outdoors but in places where solar on the ground is not feasible. I do. I leave my car for 3-4 days without using it. That is 18 hours of charge, that's a lot of energy.
- GhostVII 7y agoSure, so I suppose it can noticeably extend your time between charges if you rarely use your car, leave it outside in the sun for long periods of time, and don't have access to charging anywhere you regularly park your car. Seems like if that is the case though, an electric car isn't a great fit - regular access to charging is pretty critical unless you want to wait around at a charging station for an hour every time you need to fill up.