Solar panels on cars make no sense

Re:Solar panels on cars make no sense by rightbyte on Sunday January 29, 2023 @02:53PM (#34571979)

Motor homes and boats use the solar panels to charge the utility batteries not doing propulsion.

> Especially if the car can directly use solar power and thus reduce the number of charge/discharge cycles.

There is no way the extra weight won't offset that.

Perpetual solar EVs look more like bikes than cars.

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Re:Solar panels on cars make no sense by Retric on Sunday January 29, 2023 @06:06PM (#34573745)

> There is no way the extra weight won't offset that.

Solar is surprisingly lightweight the 1kW per day Hyundi solar roof was installed in a 60 lb panel. That’s slightly heavier than a steel roof, but not by that much especially compared to a 4,414 lbs. car.

Their next designs looks to be adding a solar front trunk and easily doubling output.

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Re:Solar panels on cars make no sense by rightbyte on Monday January 30, 2023 @08:12AM (#34579138)

I guess the steel has a purpose though? Like, the solar panel does not replace the structural strength of the steel sheet.

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