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Electric Vehicles
10.6.1 Design of Solar Vehicles
Designing solar vehicles is a multistage process where many parts need to
be carefully designed and assembled. The various stages and steps involved
are:
1. Designing chassis and basic framework
2. Designing and selection of suspension, braking system, and steering
system
3. Designing and selecting motor and electric drive train
4. Selecting motor controller
5. Designing solar array with PV cells
6. Selecting proper batteries
7. Selecting electrical systems and instruments to display speed, load,
temperature, and so on.
Solar vehicle design is done keeping in mind many factors. Reliability
and operational efficiency forms the most important criteria for a successful design of the solar vehicle. Various factors to be considered during the
design are:
1. Efficient PV cells
2. Good aerodynamic structure
3. Use efficient long running durable batteries
4. High performance motor
5. Light weight (200–350 kg)
6. Reliable chassis
10.6.2 Photo Voltaic Cells
Solar car’s power storage capacity depends on the efficiency of PV cells
to convert sunlight into electricity. While the sun emits 1070 ± 3.4% watts
per square meter of energy, 51% of it actually enters the earth’s atmosphere and therefore approximately 700 watts per square meter of clean
energy can be obtained. Silicon is the most common material used for PV
cells and has an efficiency of about 15–20%. The sunlight’s energy then
frees the electrons in the semiconductors, creating a flow of electrons.
That flow generates the electricity that powers the battery or the specialized car motor in solar cars. Schematics of a single solar cell is shown in
Figure 10.15. Some solar cars use gallium arsenide solar cells, with efficiencies around 30%. Other solar cars use silicon solar cells, with efficiencies around 20%.
Electric Vehicles
10.6.1 Design of Solar Vehicles
Designing solar vehicles is a multistage process where many parts need to
be carefully designed and assembled. The various stages and steps involved
are:
1. Designing chassis and basic framework
2. Designing and selection of suspension, braking system, and steering
system
3. Designing and selecting motor and electric drive train
4. Selecting motor controller
5. Designing solar array with PV cells
6. Selecting proper batteries
7. Selecting electrical systems and instruments to display speed, load,
temperature, and so on.
Solar vehicle design is done keeping in mind many factors. Reliability
and operational efficiency forms the most important criteria for a successful design of the solar vehicle. Various factors to be considered during the
design are:
1. Efficient PV cells
2. Good aerodynamic structure
3. Use efficient long running durable batteries
4. High performance motor
5. Light weight (200–350 kg)
6. Reliable chassis
10.6.2 Photo Voltaic Cells
Solar car’s power storage capacity depends on the efficiency of PV cells
to convert sunlight into electricity. While the sun emits 1070 ± 3.4% watts
per square meter of energy, 51% of it actually enters the earth’s atmosphere and therefore approximately 700 watts per square meter of clean
energy can be obtained. Silicon is the most common material used for PV
cells and has an efficiency of about 15–20%. The sunlight’s energy then
frees the electrons in the semiconductors, creating a flow of electrons.
That flow generates the electricity that powers the battery or the specialized car motor in solar cars. Schematics of a single solar cell is shown in
Figure 10.15. Some solar cars use gallium arsenide solar cells, with efficiencies around 30%. Other solar cars use silicon solar cells, with efficiencies around 20%.