7 ms·
>Let's say that truck roof covers about 41.5m² (the area of a standard 53' x 8.5' trailer roof). Let's further assume that 41m² of that is covered with PV panel
by thedrbrian 4y ago
>Let's say that truck roof covers about 41.5m² (the area of a standard 53' x 8.5' trailer roof). Let's further assume that 41m² of that is covered with PV panels. Using current technology (~21% efficiency silicon cells) and assuming standard irradiation of 1000W/m² this roof would produce ~200W/m² for a total of ~8.2kW. Add a 40' trailer (~31.5m² roof area, ~6.2kW) for a total of ~14.4kW.
So you're now pulling two trailers but using the watts/km for one. Also your panels will be fixed to the roof and not tracking the sun. you aren't going to get near 30% for them.
- Retric 4y agoFirst you can cover the truck and actual trailer with panels just fine. Intermodal shipping containers are designed to be stacked and include heavy duty attachment points. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermodal_container#/media/File:Container_twistlock_connector.agr.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermodal_container#/media/Fi... Second, you aren’t limited to the top of a vehicle, covering the sides is viable and makes up for the sun not being directly overhead.
- the_third_wave 4y agoThis depends on the load and on the veracity of the data given by Tesla. A load of styrofoam - which is used in construction, just look what goes under the on- and off-ramps of bridges - doesn't weigh all that much after all. Also, this was not an attempt at with 100% accuracy calculating the range effects of PV panels on the roof - notice the liberal use of the '~' sign and the fact that nearly everything is approximated and rounded down. Did you not notice?