3 ms·

The question really is only whether the solar cells pay for their weight and cost in the electricity they generate. I think the answer can be a qualified yes, d

The question really is only whether the solar cells pay for their weight and cost in the electricity they generate. I think the answer can be a qualified yes, depending on technology.

bluGill 4y ago
Fixed mount solar panels connected to the grid are more cost effective. You need less because you mount them at a reasonable angle and ensure they are not shaded: you immediately get at least twice as much power for the $ vs on attached to something moving down the road. Probably more as since efficiency isn't critical when you can just buy a few more cheap panels and put them up for less than the more expensive ones you need to get useful power from the limited space on a moving vehicle. The grid also means that we can pipe energy around, so if your panels are shared the ones next door (next state...) can deliver power.
- Robotbeat 4y ago
  It costs about 35¢/kWh to charge at a Supercharger location (comparable to gas price). Electrify America charges 48¢/kWh. For people who can’t charge at home or whatever, solar car charging could be a huge benefit, and it doesn’t matter in that calculation that utility scale solar is theoretically at like 4.4¢/kWh. Optimal angle, etc, is just a much smaller effect. Rolled into the price difference above: there’s the cost of buffering the solar power to be charged at the right time, needing land for the solar panels, needing land for EV chargers, EV charging equipment, charge/discharge from storage, conversion inefficiencies, etc.
  - bluGill 4y ago
    For most people noted enough sun falls on their car to handle their normal driving. Between bad angles, shade and other stuff cars will never be close to the ideal for charging.
    - Robotbeat 4y ago
      Have you done the calculation? You have a source for “most people”? (Also, is there a problem if only 25% of people find it useful? That’s still 25%…)

The question really is only whether the solar cells pay for their weight and cost in the electricity they generate. I think the answer can be a qualified yes, depending on technology.

bluGill 4y ago

Fixed mount solar panels connected to the grid are more cost effective. You need less because you mount them at a reasonable angle and ensure they are not shaded: you immediately get at least twice as much power for the $ vs on attached to something moving down the road. Probably more as since efficiency isn't critical when you can just buy a few more cheap panels and put them up for less than the more expensive ones you need to get useful power from the limited space on a moving vehicle. The grid also means that we can pipe energy around, so if your panels are shared the ones next door (next state...) can deliver power.

Robotbeat 4y ago
It costs about 35¢/kWh to charge at a Supercharger location (comparable to gas price). Electrify America charges 48¢/kWh. For people who can’t charge at home or whatever, solar car charging could be a huge benefit, and it doesn’t matter in that calculation that utility scale solar is theoretically at like 4.4¢/kWh. Optimal angle, etc, is just a much smaller effect. Rolled into the price difference above: there’s the cost of buffering the solar power to be charged at the right time, needing land for the solar panels, needing land for EV chargers, EV charging equipment, charge/discharge from storage, conversion inefficiencies, etc.
- bluGill 4y ago
  For most people noted enough sun falls on their car to handle their normal driving. Between bad angles, shade and other stuff cars will never be close to the ideal for charging.
  - Robotbeat 4y ago
    Have you done the calculation? You have a source for “most people”? (Also, is there a problem if only 25% of people find it useful? That’s still 25%…)