Solar Fuel: Solar-powered cars are electric cars that use solar energy through photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells convert solar energy into electricity, which is used directly to power an electric motor or is stored in batteries.
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Advantages
Pure solar energy
is 100% renewable and a vehicle run on this fuel emits no emissions.
Other than initial
cost and maintenance, not a cent is spent on fuel!
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Disadvantages
PV cells only produce
electricity when the sun is shining so without sun, the solar-powered car
must depend on the electricity stored in its batteries.
PV cells are only
about 20% efficient, and cars receive only a small amount of their electricity
from solar energy so they must use conventional methods of recharging their
batteries.
A large amount of
surface area is needed on the car to rely on one hundred percent on solar
power.
Solar-powered cars
must be extremely efficient, lightweight, and carry very little (only one
or two people.)
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