SOLAR POWERED VEHICLES Morgan Stelli

HOW THEY WORK

Solar cars harness energy from the sun, converting it into electricity

That electricity then fuels the battery that runs the car's motor

Instead of using a battery, some solar cars direct the power straight to an electric motor.

SCIENCE OF SOLAR PANELS

Solar panels work because of photovoltaic cells (PVC) PVCs convert the sun's energy to electricity Made up of semiconductors, usually silicon, that absorb light Sunlight's energy frees electrons in the semiconductors,

creating a flow of electrons That flow generates the electricity that powers the battery or

motor

Tokai ChallengerThe 2009 winner of the World Solar Challenge, held on a 1,864-mile course in the Australian desert outback.

It had an average speed of 63 mph

HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LRUPWRKYKNQ&FEATURE=PLAYER_EMBEDDED

University of Michigan Infinium

Built for speed and setting records, not passengers

Finished first in 2010 American Solar Challenge

PRACTICAL USEShttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jsqf5CEUI0

ADVANTAGES

Non-polluting Renewable energy Other than installing and repairing solar panels, no cost

DISADVANTAGES

Cannot power large vehicles Cannot typically reach highway speeds A lot of panels necessary to power small car Expensive to fix if broken Expensive to install

WORKS CITIED

"Solar-powered Car Charging Stations Open in St. Paul." MPR News. Web. 12 May 2012. <http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/04/12/electric-car-charging-stations-saint-paul/>.

"How Can Solar Panels Power a Car?" HowStuffWorks. Web. 12 May 2012. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/vehicles/solar-cars.htm>.

http://www.treehugger.com/cars/7-awesome-solar-powered-vehicles.html