| Years ago, no one ever thought that solar | | | | coming from the sun. They follow the same idea |
| powered vehicles are even possible. There are | | | | as that of other solar-powered devices such as |
| solar-powered calculators or solar batteries that | | | | calculators or batteries. The surface of the car |
| can run small devices but as for solar-powered | | | | has solar panels that collect solar energy. |
| car engines, many have remained skeptical until | | | | Photovoltaic cells installed in the vehicle work to |
| they finally saw actual vehicles that run on the | | | | convert this energy into electrical energy that the |
| energy of the sun created for exhibits in various | | | | engine will need to run the car. In theory, solar |
| science and technology fairs. These days, many | | | | powered vehicles will only run when the sun is |
| are already considering on the possibility that, in | | | | present. However, numerous studies are now |
| the next couple of years, mass-market solar | | | | being conducted with regards to the creation of |
| powered vehicles will be available to consumers in | | | | energy trapping components that will enable the |
| replacement for the ones that run on oil fuel. | | | | car to store enough energy for it to run even at |
| These days, one can see solar powered vehicles | | | | night. |
| in engineering demonstrations and solar car race | | | | Design |
| events. | | | | The design is largely limited by solar batteries that |
| Cost-efficient | | | | are installed in it. Most cars that run on the sun's |
| Solar-powered vehicles are, without a doubt, | | | | energy are designed to be lightweight. Every |
| more cost-efficient than the typical cars that run | | | | component shouldn't weigh as much as the ones |
| on oil fuel. After all, these cars harness energy | | | | that you would typically find in conventional cars. |
| from something that is abundant ' the energy | | | | They do have practically the same basic parts |
| from the sun. So long as the sun shines, these | | | | that traditional vehicles have. You will find brakes |
| cars should be able to run just as efficiently as | | | | and accelerators in them. Some even come with |
| any other type of vehicle. Because they run on | | | | cruise control. |
| solar power, these vehicles will also enjoy higher | | | | Challenges |
| mileage and longer life spans according to most | | | | With solar powered vehicles, the current challenge |
| experts. Solar powered vehicles offer a lot of | | | | is to create a process or a mechanism that is |
| benefits to the potential consumers who would be | | | | capable of harnessing solar energy efficiently even |
| willing to invest on such cars. | | | | on places with a relatively smaller surface area |
| While solar powered vehicles are not yet practical | | | | such as cars roofs. Solar cells are usually effective |
| day-to-day transportation devices, it's only a | | | | on buildings because they are always exposed to |
| matter of time before they actually get | | | | the sun's heat. Cars will warrant more attention |
| introduced into the market. | | | | on this area to create efficient solar powered |
| How they work | | | | vehicles that can be used just like cars that run |
| Solar powered vehicles literally run on the energy | | | | on oil fuel. |