The process of how solar powered cars works involves the following.
- Solar panels, usually made of semiconductor materials like silicon, are mounted on the car's surface, typically the roof and hood. These solar panels absorb sunlight, causing the photons from the sunlight to knock electrons loose from their atoms.
- As these electrons are dislodged, they start to move, generating an electrical current. This process, known as the photovoltaic effect, creates a direct current (DC) electricity.
- The DC current produced by the solar panels is then directed to a charge controller. This controller regulates the flow of electricity to protect the car's battery from overcharging and ensures that the battery gets the optimal amount of power.
-The charge controller sends the regulated DC current to the battery pack. The battery pack stores the electricity generated by the solar panels, providing a power source for the electric motor that drives the car.
- When the solar car is in motion, the electric motor draws power from the battery to propel the vehicle. The motor converts the electrical energy into mechanical energy, which turns the wheels and moves the car.
- Excess electricity generated by the solar panels while driving or when parked can be stored in the battery pack for later use.
- Some solar-powered cars may have additional systems like a maximum power point tracker (MPPT), which optimizes the efficiency of the solar panels by ensuring that they operate at their most effective voltage and current levels.
- Solar-powered cars also typically regenerative braking, which captures energy from the car's braking and stores it in the battery.
The efficiency and performance of solar-powered cars depend on various factors such as the size and quality of the solar panels, the capacity and technology of the battery, the efficiency of the electric motor and overall vehicle design. Advancements in solar panel technology and efficient energy management systems continue to improve the capabilities of solar-powered vehicles.
