Solar cars

SOLAR CARS 1. AN OVERVIEW A solar car is a vehicle, which is powered by su !s e er"y. A solar car is a li"h# wei"h#, low power vehicle desi" ed a d buil# wi#h a si "le purpose i $i d % raci ". &hey have li$i#ed sea#i " 'usually o e, so$e#i$es #wo people(, #hey have very li##le car"o capaci#y, a d #hey ca o ly be drive duri " #he day. I# does, however, o))er a e*celle # oppor#u i#y #o develop )u#ure #ech olo"ies #ha# ca be applied #o prac#ical applica#io s.

Solar cars

+i"ure 1, E er"y +low -ia"ra$ o) a Solar Car &he $ai co$po e # o) a solar car is i#s solar array, co sis#i " o) pho#ovol#aic cells, which collec# #he e er"y )ro$ #he su a d co ver#s i# i #o

Solar cars

usable elec#rical e er"y. &he e er"y is passed ei#her #o #he ba##ery )or s#ora"e, or #o #he $o#or #o ru #he car, #hou"h a device called power #rac/er, which co ver# i# i #o #he re0uired vol#a"e. &he decisio o whe#her #o #ra s)er #he power #o #he $o#or or ba##ery is $ade by a s$all o board co$pu#er called #he $o#or co #roller. I# is respo sible )or se di " #he elec#rici#y s$oo#hly #o #he $o#or whe #he accelera#or is depressed, co #rolli " #he #or0ue #ha# "oes #o #he $o#or such #ha# #he car $ai #ai s #he desired speed. So$e cars also use a process called re"e era#ive bra/i ", which allows so$e o) #he /i e#ic e er"y s#ored i #he vehicle!s #ra sla#i " $ass #o be s#ored i #he ba##ery whe #he car is slowi " dow . A solar car is $ade up o) $a y co$po e #s #ha# have bee i #e"ra#ed #o"e#her so #ha# #hey wor/ as a si "le sys#e$. +or #he ease o) e*pla a#io i# has bee bro/e dow i #o five primary systems:

Driver Controls & Mechanical Systems Electrical System

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Drive Train Solar Array Body and Chassis

.. -RIVER CON&ROLS 2 3EC4ANICAL S5S&E3S Solar cars do have so$e o) #he s#a dard )ea#ures )ou d i co ve #io al cars, such as #ur si" als ')ro # 2 rear(, bra/e li"h#s, accelera#or, rear view $irrors, )resh air ve #ila#io , a d usually cruise co #rol. &he drivers a d passe "ers are pro#ec#ed sa)e#y har esses a d hel$e#s. -rivers a d passe "ers ca loo/ )orward #o u co$)or#able sea#s, cra$ped posi#io i ", a d hi"h coc/pi# #e$pera#ures as #hese cars have very )ew a$e i#ies )or #he driver. 2.1 EA !"S"#$: 3irrors $ou #ed #o a car6s e*#erior "rea#ly i crease aerody a$ic dra"7 #here)ore, a ou#8o)8#he%bo* #hi /i " is re0uired #o )i d a solu#io . S9NR9NNER, a solar car developed by #he 9 iversi#y o) 3ichi"a

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i 1;;<, u#ili=ed a )ibre op#ic cable co

ec#i " a eyepiece i #he driver6s area #o a le s loca#ed i a

aerody a$ic )i $ou #ed o #op o) #he ca opy. 3AI>E 2 ?L9E, a la#er $odel developed by #he 9 iversi#y, o #he o#her ha d, chose a elec#ro ic sys#e$ co sis#i " o) a $i ia#ure ca$era i s#alled i #he car6s #raili " ed"e a d a poc/e# #elevisio i #he driver6s area. So$e cars also have e*#er ally $ou #ed $irrors o) $irrors wi#hi a bubble ca opy. 2.2 !E$T"%AT"#$, 4i"h #e$pera#ures are obviously bad )or #he driver 'a d passe "er(, bu# #hey are also bad )or elec#rical a d elec#ro ic co$po e #s as hi"h #e$pera#ures will "e erally reduce #he e))icie cy a d shor#e #he li)e o) solar cells, ba##eries, $o#ors, $o#or co #rollers a d o#her elec#ro ic e0uip$e #.

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+i"ure ., &he co$)or#able i #erior #e$pera#ure a d air )low ra#e as a )u c#io o) ou#side

#e$pera#ure

So$e#hi " li/e 1@ /ilo"ra$s o) air would #ypically have #o be provided every $i u#e #o approach passe "er car co$)or# levels. Obviously, #ha#6s seldo$ )easible i a solar car due #o #he dra" #ha# i# $i"h# i$pose o #he vehicle, i) such cooli " )lows are o# also re0uired by elec#rical, elec#ro ic a d $echa ical co$po e #s o) #he vehicle.

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Vehicle desi" ers usually use #he sa$e air)low several #i$es over as i# passes #hrou"h #he vehicle7 )or e*a$ple cooli " driver, elec#ro ics, elec#rics a d $o#or se0ue #ially. Blaci " a si=eable air i le# a# #he )orward s#a" a#io poi # o) #he vehicle $i i$ises dra" due #o #he ope i ". 'NACA duc#s! are a al#er a#ive )or "e##i " air i #o #he car i) #here6s a reaso ably8)la#, e*#er al sur)ace earby #ha# does 6# have si" i)ica # diver"e # 'or co ver"e #( )low. &he mechanical systems o) a solar car are desi" ed #o $i i$i=e )ric#io a d wei"h# while

$ai #ai i " #he s#re "#h eeded #o ha dle #he various road co di#io s. Li"h#wei"h# $e#als li/e #i#a iu$ a d co$posi#es are co$$o ly used #o $a*i$i=e #he s#re "#h8#o8wei"h# ra#io. I# i cludes,

2.& STEE "$': &he $aCor desi" )ac#ors )or s#eeri " are reliabili#y a d e))icie # per)or$a ce. &he s#eeri " sys#e$ is desi" ed wi#h precise s#eeri " ali" $e # because eve s$all $isali" $e #s ca cause si" i)ica # losses a d i crease #ire wear. -i))ere # cars use di))ere # s#eeri " $echa is$s depe di " o #heir bud"e# a d

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o#her co sidera#io s. &he S9NR9NNER u#ili=ed a rac/ a d pi io sys#e$ #ha# was a##ached #o #he s#eeri " ar$s by $ea s o) #ie rods. &ESSERAC&, a si "le8sea# hi"h per)or$a ce solar racecar, uses a ce #re $ou #ed ha dlebars, $uch li/e #ha# o bicycles #ha# co 2.( B A)ES, &o $a*i$i=e e))icie cy, #he bra/es are desi" ed #o $ove )reely, eli$i a#i " bra/e dra", which is caused by bra/e pads rubbi " a"ai s# #he bra/e sur)ace. 4ydraulic disc bra/es are co$$o place i solar cars because o) #heir adCus#abili#y a d "ood bra/i " power. As a supple$e #al sys#e$, so$e #ea$s have re"e era#ive bra/i " which allows so$e o) #he /i e#ic e er"y s#ored i #he vehicle!s #ra sla#i " $ass #o be s#ored i #he ba##ery whe #he car is slowi " dow . 4ere #he car6s $o#or beco$es a "e era#or as re"e era#ive bra/i " is applied a d adds e er"y #o #he ba##eries duri " decelera#io . ?o#h 3AI>E2 ?L9E a d S9NR9NNER had hydraulic disc bra/es while o ly S9NR9NNER used re"e era#ive bra/i ". 2.* S+S,E$S"#$, ec# #o a rac/8a d8pi io s#eeri " sys#e$.

Solar cars

O) #he available front s-spension varia #s, 3acBhearso s#ru#s or double A ar$s are $os# co$$o i solar cars. A 3acBhearso s#ru# re0uires a lar"e ver#ical cleara ce si ce i# is posi#io ed perpe dicular #o #he "rou d. -ouble A ar$s re0uire less ver#ical cleara ce, bu# co sis# o) $ore co$po e #s. -epe di "

upo #he desi" a sui#able o e is chose . &he $os# co$$o rear s-spension is a #raili " ar$, si$ilar #o #ha# )ou d i $o#orcycles. -ue #o a si "le de"ree o) $o#io , #he #raili " ar$ suspe sio allows )or co ve ie # pac/a"i " o) da$pers a d #he drive#rai . 2.. /0EE%S: Wheels, however, are #he leas# e))icie # par# o) a solar car due #o rolli " resis#a ce. Abou# o e #hird o) #he e er"y used by a solar car is los# due #o #his )ac#or. -ue #o #his li$i#a#io , co #ac# wi#h #he "rou d should be $i i$i=ed.

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Solar cars #ypically have #hree or )our wheels. &he co$$o #hree8wheel co )i"ura#io is #wo )ro # wheels a d o e rear wheel 'usually #he drive wheel(. +our8wheel vehicles are so$e#i$es co )i"ured li/e a co ve #io al vehicle 'wi#h o e o) #he rear wheels bei " drive (. O#her )our8wheel vehicles have #he #wo rear wheels close #o"e#her ear #he ce #re 'si$ilar #o #he co$$o #hree wheel co )i"ura#io (. Solar car wheel desi" s are si$ilar #o #hose o) bicycle #ires. Fe erally, #he wheel6s ri$s a d hubs are alu$i iu$ while #he spo/es are $ade o) s#eel. A 3ylar )il$ is placed over #he spo/es #o i crease aerody a$ic e))icie cy. B eu$a#ic #ires are pre)erred over solid rubber #ires because #hey wei"h less a d provide a s$oo#her ride. &he bes# #ires curre #ly available are #he ?rid"es#o e Ecopia #ires $ade )or solar cars. &hey are very #hi a d opera#e a# over o e hu dred pou dsGi ch pressure.

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1. ELEC&RICAL S5S&E3 &he hear# o) a solar car is #he elec#rical sys#e$, which is $ade up o) ba##eries a d power elec#ro ics. Bower elec#ro ics i clude #he pea/ power #rac/ers, #he $o#or co #roller, a d #he da#a ac0uisi#io sys#e$. &he pri$ary )u c#io o) #he power elec#ro ics is #o $o i#or a d co #rol #he elec#rici#y wi#hi #he sys#e$. &.1 BATTE "ES: A solar car uses #he ba##ery pac/ #o s#ore e er"y, which will be a# a la#er #i$e. &he ba##ery pac/ is $ade up o) several i dividual $odules wired #o"e#her #o "e era#e #he re0uired sys#e$ vol#a"e. &he #ypes o) ba##eries used i clude,

Lead8Acid Nic/el83e#al 4ydride 'Ni34( Nic/el8Cad$iu$ 'NiCad(

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Li#hiu$ Io

&he NiCad, Ni34, a d Li#hiu$ ba##eries o))er i$proved power #o wei"h# ra#io over #he $ore co$$o Lead8Acid ba##eries, bu# are $ore cos#ly #o $ai #ai . &he ba##ery pac/ is $ade up o) several i dividual $odules wired #o"e#her #o "e era#e #he re0uired sys#e$ vol#a"e. &ypically, #ea$s use sys#e$ vol#a"es be#wee E: a d 1@E vol#s, depe di " o #heir elec#rical sys#e$. +or e*a$ple, &esserac# uses <1. li8io ba##eries, bro/e dow i #o #welve $odules, which are each e0uivale # #o a car ba##ery, bu# o ly wei"h < lbs each. &hrou"h a i ova#ive pac/ desi" , #he ba##eries are ve #ila#ed wi#h eve air)low #o $i i$i=e #e$pera#ure di))ere ces be#wee #he $odules.

&.2 ,EA) ,#/E T AC)E S:

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&he pea/ power #rac/ers co di#io #he elec#rici#y co$i " )ro$ #he solar array #o $a*i$i=e #he power a d deliver i# ei#her #o #he ba##eries )or s#ora"e or #o #he $o#or co #roller )or propulsio . Whe #he solar array is char"i " #he ba##eries, #he pea/ power #rac/ers help #o pro#ec# #he ba##eries )ro$ bei " da$a"ed by overchar"i ". Bea/ power #rac/ers ca be very li"h#wei"h# a d co$$o ly reach e))icie cies above ;<H. A $a*i$u$ power poi # #rac/er '3BB&( is a -C8-C co ver#er #ha# $a#ches #he ou#pu# o) a BV s#ri " #o #he ba##ery vol#a"e i a way #ha# $a*i$ises #he power "e era#ed by #he BV s#ri ". &he power "e era#ed by a BV s#ri " depe ds o #he opera#i " vol#a"e. BV power i creases s#eadily wi#h opera#i " vol#a"e #o a $a*i$u$, a d #he drops o)) rapidly as #he vol#a"e is i creased )ur#her #o #he ope 8circui# vol#a"e. A #rac/er allows #he BV s#ri " #o always opera#e a# #he $os# e))icie # poi #, i depe de #ly o) #he ba##ery vol#a"e. +or e*a$ple, i) your ba##ery vol#a"e is 1@@V a d #he ideal opera#i " poi # )or a array s#ri " is .A * 1.@V I .:@W, #he #rac/er ou#pu# will be ..:A * 1@@V I .:@W. I prac#ice, #here is always a s$all loss o) 18.H due #o i e))icie cies i #he #rac/er elec#ro ics. 3BB&s are o) #hree #ypes,

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dow 'buc/( co ver#ers, which co ver# #he BV vol#a"e #o a lower ba##ery vol#a"e7 up 'boos#( co ver#ers, which co ver# #he BV vol#a"e #o a hi"her ba##ery vol#a"e7 a d dual 'buc/8boos#( co ver#ers, which will co ver# ei#her way, #hou"h usually wi#h a pe al#y i e))icie cy.

&.2.1 1"$D"$' T0E MA2"M+M ,#/E power poi #.

,#"$T: &here are #wo $e#hods #o )i d #he $a*i$u$

1. Ope 8circui# vol#a"e #rac/i ", &he #rac/er periodically $easures #he ope circui# vol#a"e, VOC, o) #he BV s#ri ", #he se#s #he opera#i " vol#a"e #o V$p I / VOC, where / is a co s#a #. &he $e#hod is si$ple, a d reaso ably e))ec#ive. &his $e#hod is used by AERL #rac/ers. .. Bower #rac/i ", &he #rac/er $easures cha "es i ou#pu# power as i# $a/es s$all cha "es #o #he opera#i " poi #, a d adCus#s #he opera#i " poi # #o $a*i$ise ou#pu# power. &.& M#T# C#$T #%%E S:

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&his co$po e # per)or$s #he co$ple* #as/ o) decidi " how $uch curre # ac#ually reaches #he $o#or a# a "ive #i$e. &his de#er$i a#io o) curre # by #he $o#or co #roller allows #he car #o accelera#e, decelera#e, or s#ay a# a co s#a # speed. &he be##er $o#or co #rollers are up #o ;@H e))icie #. &.( TE%EMET 3: A #ea$6s #ele$e#ry sys#e$ is used )or da#a ac0uisi#io . A co$$ercial or cus#o$ sys#e$ $o i#ors co di#io s such as speed, ba##ery vol#a"e, power collec#io a d co su$p#io , a d $o#or #e$pera#ure. &he sys#e$ #he relays #ha# i )or$a#io #o #he driver a d #ea$ s#ra#e"is#s. 3os# #ele$e#ry sys#e$s allow )or #wo8way da#a #ra s$issio s a d are based o $icroco #rollers a d radio $ode$s.

:. -RIVE &RAIN

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&he drive #rai will co sis# o) #he elec#ric $o#or a d #he $ea s by which #he $o#or6s power is #ra s$i##ed #o #he wheel causi " #he vehicle #o $ove. -ue #o #he low a$ou # o) power "e era#ed 'less #ha < hp( usually o ly o e wheel i #he rear o) #he car is drive by #he elec#ric $o#or. &he $o#or #ypes #ha# have bee used i solar cars i clude

brushed -C $o#ors -C brushless $o#ors i duc#io $o#ors

-C brushless $o#ors are co$$o place i solar car raci ". Rare8ear#h, per$a e # $a" e#s $ou #ed o #he ro#or, reac#s #o $a" e#ic )ields produced by #he $o#or6s wi di "s. &hree8phase wi di "s allow #he ro#or re$ai a# co s#a # #or0ue. A $o#or co #roller se ds si" als #o #he wi di "s, re"ula#i " #he $a" e#ic )ield arou d #he ro#or. &he $os# co$$o #ype o) $o#or used i solar cars is #he dual8wi di " -C brushless. I# is )airly li"h#wei"h# a d ca reach e))icie cies o) ;EH a# #heir ra#ed rp$.

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&he dual8wi di " $o#or is so$e#i$es used as a elec#ro ic #ra s$issio . Swi#chi " be#wee #he dual wi di "s cha "es #he speed ra#i " o) #he $o#or. &he low speed wi di "s provide hi"h #or0ue )or s#ar#i " a d passi ", while #he hi"h speed wi di "s have hi"her e))icie cies a d are bes# )or cruisi ". &here are several varia#io s o) #wo basic #ypes o) #ra s$issio s used i solar cars. 1. .. 1. si "le reduc#io direc# drive variable ra#io bel# drive hub $o#or

I #he pas#, #he $os# co$$o #ype was #he direc# drive #ra s$issio where #he $o#or is co

ec#ed #o

#he wheel #hrou"h a chai or bel# wi#h a si "le "ear reduc#io . &his is a reliable a d easily $ai #ai ed #ra s$issio i) special care is #a/e whe ali" i " #he co$po e #s. E))icie cies above D<H ca be achieved whe desi" ed properly.

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+or a variable ra#io bel# drive, "ear ra#io cha "es as #he speed o) #he $o#or i creases. &his "ives #he $o#or $ore s#ar#i " #or0ue a# lower speeds, bu# s#ill allows #he car #o ru e))icie #ly a# hi"her speeds. Variable bel# drives re0uire precise ali" $e # a d care)ul se#up #o wor/ e))icie #ly. A hub $o#or eli$i a#es #he eed )or a y e*#er al #ra s$issio because #he $o#or sha)# is co ec#ed

direc#ly #o #he wheel hub. &his "rea#ly i creases #he e))icie cy o) #he drive #rai a d reduces #he u$ber o) $ovi " par#s ecessary #o drive #he wheel. A hub $o#or uses low rp$ #o accou # )or #he lac/ o) "ear reduc#io , which #e ds #o drop #heir e))icie cy sli"h#ly, bu# #hey s#ill ca achieve e))icie cies i e*cess o) ;<H.

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<. SOLAR INSOLA&ION &he e er"y )ro$ #he su s#ri/es #he ear#h #hrou"hou# #he e #ire day. 4owever, #he a$ou # o) e er"y cha "es due #o #he #i$e o) day, wea#her co di#io s a d "eo"raphic loca#io . &he a$ou # o) available solar e er"y is / ow as #he solar i sola#io or irradia ce a d is $os# co$$o ly $easured i wa##s per $e#er s0uared or W G $ ..

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+i"ure 1, &ypical solar i sola#io )or a su

y day.

Solar irradia ce is "e erally $odelled as havi " #hree co$po e #s, direc# bea$ irradia ce, di))use irradia ce, )ro$ #he s/y, a d re)lec#ed irradia ce, )ro$ #he "rou d.

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&he su$ o) #hese co$po e #s is called "lobal irradia ce. &he irradia ce #ha# will )all o a sur)ace depe ds o #he $a y )ac#ors, i cludi ", #he day o) #he year #he posi#io o) #he su i #he s/y #he i cli a#io o) #he sur)ace cloud cover.

&hese )ac#ors should be #a/e i #o accou # while desi" i " #he solar array.

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A. SOLAR ARRA5 Solar cells or pho#ovol#aics collec# #he e er"y )ro$ #he su a d co ver#s i# i #o usable elec#rical e er"y. &hey are $ade )ro$ silico by Coi i " a 8#ype a d a p8#ype silico se$ico duc#or, crea#i " a elec#ro rich a d a elec#ro poor layer. Whe su li"h# s#ri/es #he cell, pho#o s cause a#o$s o) #he se$ico duc#or #o )ree elec#ro s, leavi " behi d posi#ive char"es. &he )low o) elec#ro s #hus crea#ed co s#i#u#es a elec#ro$o#ive )orce #ha# drives #he curre # #o char"e a ba##ery or power a $o#or. &he cell6s posi#ive co #ac# is o #he bo##o$ while #he e"a#ive co #ac#, or bus bar, is loca#ed o #he #op o) #he cell. Each cell produces appro*i$a#ely .< vol#s a d 1 a$ps o) curre #. Co series, i.e., posi#ive #o e"a#ive, i creases vol#a"e. Barallel co posi#ive #o posi#ive, i crease curre #. &here)ore, co ec#i " #he cells i ec#i " #he cells i ec#io s, i.e., e"a#ive #o e"a#ive a d various series a d parallel

co )i"ura#io s produces $odules o) di))ere # vol#a"es a d curre #s.

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+i"ure :, Sche$a#ic -ia"ra$ o) a Solar

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+i"ure <, Solar Cell -ia"ra$ Cells ca be "rouped i #o space "rade a d #erres#rial "rade ca#e"ories, Space "rade cells are up #o .;H e))icie #, a d are used $ai ly i sa#elli#e produc#io due #o #heir hi"h cos#. &hese hi"h e))icie cy cells cos# i e*cess o) J<@@ per s0uare i ch. &erres#rial "rade cells havi " a e))icie cy o) 1:H, are $uch cheaper causi " #he$ #o be #he cells o) choice )or solar cars. Each cell $easures 1@c$ * 1@c$, cos#s appro*i$a#ely JA.@@, a d produces 1.< wa##s o) power.

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A lar"e u$ber o) solar cells are wired #o"e#her #o )or$ a solar array. &he e #ire solar cells #o"e#her )or$ #he solar array. Solar cells should also be divided i #o several =o es. +or e*a$ple, i) you have D<@ solar cells, you $i"h# wa # #o wire 1 se#s o) .<@ cells, each =o e produci " abou# 1.< vol#s. I) o e =o e )ails, #wo o#her =o es are s#ill produci " power. S9NR9NNER6S array co sis#ed o) 1:,@<D ra=or blade si=ed, 1AH e))icie # space "rade cells. &he cells are e*#re$ely )ra"ile. So $a y e "i eers pu# #he$ #hrou"h a process called encaps-lation. -oi " so s#re "#he s solar cell durabili#y, bu# decreases #he e))icie cy. E capsula#io is #he process o) coa#i " #he cells wi#h a #ou"her $a#erial li/e resi s or sa dwichi " i# be#wee #wo shee#s o) )ibre "lass,

which preve #s #he cells )ro$ bei " da$a"ed. +or cells 1:H e))icie #, e capsula#io would reduce #he overall e))icie cy #o1..<H. ..1 , ACT"CA%, #B%EMS /"T0 +S"$' S#%A CE%%S

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..1. 1 "4! C+ !ES A$D SE "ES M"SMATC0: All silico solar cells pu# ou# a vol#a"e o) abou# @.<V. &his is because #hey6re a /i d o) diode, a d #his is a alo"ous #o #he )orward brea/ over vol#a"e o) #he diode. Now, i) you have several cells i series a d #hey6re all #he sa$e #hey6ll all "ive #he sa$e curre #, a d #he vol#a"e )ro$ all #he cells will add up ea#ly. ?u# #hey6re o# all #he sa$e. &he silico is doped very sub#ly di))ere #ly )ro$ cell #o cell, or #he puri#y o) #he silico varies, or di))ere # cells are a# di))ere # #e$pera#ures. Ss so$e cells will "ive $ore curre # #ha o#hers. I a series s#ri ", #hey ca 6# because all #he cells are co s#rai ed #o "ive e*ac#ly #he sa$e curre #. &his will cause $a y o) our cells #o ru sub8op#i$ally. So a)#er #he cells are #abbed, #hey are $easured, a d "rouped li/e wi#h li/e. ..1. 2 C+ !ED A A3S,

&he e*# ha=ard is curves o #he array. 3a y arrays are o# per)ec#ly )la#, which $ea s #ha# o# all cells are receivi " #he sa$e a$ou # o) su li"h#. &hey have #o be arra "ed i such a way #ha# all #he cells i #he s#ri "s receive appro*i$a#ely #he sa$e illu$i a#io . A co$$o way #o achieve #his would be #o ru

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each s#ri " parallel #o #he lo " a*is o) #he car, so #ha# all #he cells i a s#ri " are poi #i " i appro*i$a#ely #he sa$e direc#io . Several s#ri "s are o)#e wired #o"e#her #o )or$ a sec#io or pa el #ha# has a vol#a"e close #o #he o$i al ba##ery vol#a"e.

..1. & S0AD#/S A$D B #)E$ CE%%S, So$e#i$es #here will be shadows o #he array. &his could be caused by #he driver bubble, or by #rees or o#her obs#ruc#io s ear #he road, or by passi " #ra))ic. Whe a cell i a s#ri " is shaded, i#s ou#pu# "oes dow . Si ce #he o#her cells co #i ue #o )orce curre # #hrou"h i#, #his cell ac#ually dissipa#es power i s#ead o) "e era#i ", a d i# "e#s dissipa#ed as hea#. Now #ha# #his cell is war$er, i#6s less e))icie # #ha #he o#hers, a d so eve whe #he li"h# co$es bac/, i#6ll wa # #o "e era#e less curre #, which $ea s i#6ll wi d up dissipa#i " so$e power as hea#. &his is called &her$al ru away. &his is preve #ed i #he )ollowi " way, Every cell 'or, $ore o)#e , every s$all "roup o) cells( has a diode across i#. Whe a cell i #ha# "roup is shaded, curre # )lows #hrou"h #he diode. I) you have A@ cells i your s#ri ", a d #hey6re i "roups

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o) A, #he whe a si "le cell is shaded, your ou#pu# vol#a"e will drop by 1@H, as #he bypass diode )or #ha# "roup co$es i #o play, a d your curre # ou#pu# will drop o# a# all. &his is be##er #ha havi " your vol#a"e drop @.AV )or #he dar/ cell, a d havi " your curre # ou#pu# drop by so$e lar"e a$ou #, as curre # is )orced #hrou"h #he dar/ cell. &he o#her #i$e #ha# #he bypass diodes co$e i ha dy is whe a cell "e#s da$a"ed. &his $ay be due #o a s#o e bei " )lic/ed up )ro$ #he road, a ca$era )alli " ou# o) so$eo e6s poc/e# or a s$all child ru i " up #he array. &he da$a"ed cell $ay "o ope 8circui#, $ea i " #ha# wi#hou# #he bypass diode, ou#pu# )ro$ #he s#ri " would drop #o =ero. Wi#h #he bypass, ou#pu# drops o ly propor#io a#ely #o #he perce #a"e o) cells bypassed.

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Solar cars

..2 %"M"TAT"#$S, &o pu# #he li$i#a#io s o) a solar car i perspec#ive, a si$ple calcula#io will su))ice. O ly 1@@@ WG$. o) e er"y reaches #he ear#h!s sur)ace i a hour o) Kpea/ su L. &his #er$ ca be #hou"h# o) as #he a$ou # o) su li"h# #ha# reaches a su y area o cloudless, su$$er day arou d oo . A avera"e solar array co )i"ura#io spa E$, $ea i " #he #o#al a$ou # o) e er"y hi##i " #he solar car duri " pea/ su is EMWhG$.. O) #his e er"y, avera"e solar cells are o ly able #o co ver# 1..<H #o elec#rici#y. As a resul#, #he #o#al a$ou # o) co ver#ed e er"y available #o a car co sis#s o) 1 MWGh, appro*i$a#ely #he sa$e a$ou # o) e er"y used #o ru a hairdryer. Wi#h cars ru i " o D@@81<@@ Wa##s, e))icie cy is hypercri#ical. &here)ore, adva ces i all aspec#s

o) e "i eeri ", )ro$ $echa ical #o elec#rical #o $a#erials a d co$pu#er scie ce are #he /ey. &he #hree pri$ary areas o) e er"y loss co sis# o) aerody a$ic dra", bra/i ", a d rolli " resis#a ce. &o $i i$i=e aerody a$ic dra", e "i eers $a/e solar cells as slee/ as possible. Rolli " resis#a ce is propor#io al #o wei"h#. 4e ce solar cars should be e "i eered #o be very li"h#.

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Solar cars

D. ?O-5 2 C4ASSIS &he $os# dis#i c#ive par# o) solar cars is #heir bodies. &he slee/ a d e*o#ic shapes are eye ca#chi ". &he $ai "oals whe desi" i " #he body are #o $i i$i=e #he aerody a$ic dra", $a*i$i=e #he e*posure #o solar i sola#io , $i i$i=e wei"h#, a d $a*i$i=e sa)e#y.

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Solar cars

+i"ure A, ?ody a d Chassis o) a Solar Car

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Solar cars

D.1 ?O-5 S4ABES Al#hou"h cars di))er i desi" , #heir shapes ca be "rouped i #o )our ca#e"ories. A -nified aero 5ody and panel allows )or a s$all )ro #al area, low wei"h#, a d a wide ra "e o) visibili#y arou d #he ca opy. 1i6ed or tiltin78 flat panels 9ith a separate driver ca5 are si$ple, li"h#wei"h#, a d i e*pe sive #o co s#ruc#7 however, aerody a$ic e))icie cy is co$pro$ised due #o e*posed suspe sio co$po e #s a d vul erabili#y #o cross wi ds. Catamaran shapes o))er reduced )ro #al area a d low aerody a$ic dra". +or or#hGsou#h race rou#es, #he curved array beco$es very power)ul i #he early $or i " a d la#e a)#er oo as #he su #ravels across #he hori=o . +i ally, are -ni:-ely desi7ned vehicles whose aerody a$ic e))icie cy a d power collec#io capabili#ies di))er )ro$ desi" #o desi" . 3AI>E 2 ?L9E a d S9NR9NNER were ca#a$ara shaped.

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Solar cars

+i"ure E, ?ody shapes o) co$$o solar cars

D.. C4ASSIS Fe erally, #here are #hree #ypes o) chassis used i solar cars,

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1. .. 1.

space )ra$e se$i8$o oco0ue or carbo bea$ $o oco0ue

A space frame uses a welded #ube s#ruc#ure #o suppor# #he loads a d #he body. &he body is a li"h#wei"h#, o 8load beari ", co$posi#e shell #ha# is a##ached #o #he chassis separa#ely. &he semi4 monoco:-e or car5on 5eam chassis uses co$posi#e bea$s a d bul/heads #o suppor# #he loads a d is i #e"ra#ed i #o a o 8load beari " co$posi#e belly pa . &he #op sec#io s o) #he car are o)#e separa#e body pieces #ha# are a##ached #o #he belly pa . A monoco:-e chassis uses #he body s#ruc#ure #o suppor# #he loads. 3a y solar cars use a co$bi a#io o) #he chassis ca#e"ories $e #io ed above. &he i$a"e above is a e*a$ple o) a se$i8$o oco0ue chassis wi#h a i #e"ra#ed space )ra$e used #o pro#ec# #he driver.

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Solar cars

E. 3A&ERIALS 9SEA co$posi#e $a#erial is #he co$bi a#io s#ruc#ural $a#erial. Carbo o) a )iller $a#erial sa dwiched be#wee layers o) a

)ibre, Mevlar a d )ibre"lass are co$$o

co$posi#e s#ruc#ural $a#erials.

4o eyco$b a d )oa$ are co$$o co$posi#e )iller $a#erials. &hese $a#erials are bo ded #o"e#her usi " epo*y resi s a d i #he cases o) Mevlar a d carbo )ibre, ca ob#ai i$pressive s#re "#hs 'e0ual #o s#eel( bu# re$ai very li"h#wei"h#. S9NR9NNER used Mevlar as #he )abric wi#h a No$e* ho eyco$b spacer while 3AI>E2 ?L9E used carbo )ibre )abric. ;. +ALLINF S4OR&

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Solar cars

&here are several charac#eris#ics #ha# a co$$ercially viable car $us# have. Co$$ercial cars #ypical ca hold a# leas# : passe "ers. I# $us# be e*#re$ely reliable, co$)or#able, a d be able #o )u c#io o i#s ow . I# $us# also be able #o $ai #ai #he re0uired speed. I addi#io , co$$ercial cars #ypically have a$e i#ies such as air co di#io i ", radio, a d power loc/s a d wi dows. Solar vehicles whe drive o hi"hways, e*perie ced $a y )la# #ires a d o)#e were i capable o) $ai #ai i " hi"hway speeds o) )i)#y8 )ive $iles per hour. Wi#h #he e er"y available #o solar cars, #he #ype o) a$e i#ies described above is i$possible. &he car is also a very cra$ped o e. 4e ce i# )ailed #o brea/ i #o #he co$$ercial car $ar/e# as o) ow

1@. &4E +9&9RE 1@.1 IN &4E S4OR& &ER3

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Solar cars

O e plausible $ar/e# )or solar vehicles is a #erres#rial applica#io o) #he rovers #ha# NASA uses i space )or da#a collec#io i a ho#, su rich area where $a ual labor is di))icul#. &he vehicles would rechar"e au#o o$ously, a d #he driver!s disco$)or# would o# be a issue because #here would o# be a driver. I addi#io , #hese vehicles could be /ep# li"h#wei"h# a d si$ple wi#hou# a eed )or #oo $a y a$e i#ies. 1;.1.1 CA 34#!E #1 E2,E T"SE:

&he solar car rush brou"h# subs#a #ial adva ces #o #he desi" o) elec#ric vehicles, s#ar#i " wi#h #he use o) solar power. I# led #o be##er $o#ors, be##er use o) ba##eries, a d be##er $o#or co #roller desi" which have bee adop#ed by so$e elec#rical vehicle $a u)ac#urers. 1;.1.2 C#M,#S"TE 0+%% CA : A o#her /ey area #ha# has bee char"i " ahead is #he co$posi#e hull car. Co$posi#es were o# o ly li"h#er, bu# #hey also $ade cars sa)er #ha #heir s#eel cou #erpar#s.

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Solar cars

1;.1.& 0A $ESS"$' S#%A ,#/E Solar cars also helped spread #he word abou# #he use o) har essi " solar power. ?y spreadi " #he word abou# solar e er"y i #his e*ci#i " way, #he cars co #ribu#ed #o #he rise i #he use o) solar cells )or o#her, $ore prac#ical uses. Las#ly, i# crea#ed a spor# #ha# has a educa#io al as well as a social be e)i#.

1@.. IN &4E LONF R9N Wha#ever be i#s li$i#a#io s, #he )u#ure is de)i i#ely )ull o) pro$ise )or #he solar cars. I# #oo/ us abou# a hu dred years a)#er elec#rici#y was i ve #ed, #o develop a co$$ercially viable elec#ric vehicle. Si$ilarly solar cars #oo eed a sui#able i cuba#io period, #o success)ully )oray i #o #he co$$ercial vehicle se"$e #. Wi#h #he crude prices hi##i " upwards o) J<@ a barrel a d s#ill loo/i " bullish, i# is cer#ai #ha# #he curre # pre)ere ce )or pe#roleu$ based au#o$obiles will cha "e i #he o# #oo dis#a # )u#ure. &he solar car

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wi#h o )uel e*pe ses will cer#ai ly be pre)erred )or shor# dis#a ce co$$u#a#io i #he )u#ure. &hou"h i# $ay o))er o ly a si" i)ica #ly reduced per)or$a ce co$pared #o #he co ve #io al vehicle i# will #he be loo/ed upo as a cos# e))ec#ive op#io . Also, #here are $a y areas o) #he solar car, which ca be i$proved upo , s#ar#i " wi#h #he solar array. A# prese # #he solar array is o ly 1..<H e))icie #. Wha# would be #he case i) i# were $ade a#leas# <@H e))icie #N I!$ sure #ha# $uch o) #he curre # proble$s i solar cars ca be overco$e.

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CONCL9SION &he solar cars are used e*clusively )or raci " i #our a$e #s, a# prese #. &hou"h #hey have bee arou d )or abou# #we #y )ive years ow, #he #ech olo"y is s#ill i #he develop$e #al s#a"es. 4e ce #hey ca o# be used as a prac#ical $ea s o) #ra spor#. &he challe "e lies i $a/i " i# a viable $ea s o) #ra spor#. +ur#her research is eeded i #his re"ard #o i$prove solar pa els, reduce wei"h#, #o i$prove reliabili#y a d #o reduce #he cos#. Research is bei " carried ou# o $a y se$i8co duc#ors a d #heir alloys #o develop $ore e))icie # solar cells. I# ca be sa)ely assu$ed #ha# wi#h #he adve # o) $ass produc#io #here would be "rea#ly reduced. &hus #his #ech olo"y will de)i i#ely live up #o i#s po#e #ial so$e #i$e i #he )u#ure.

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RE+ERENCES 1. h##p,GGwww.a$erica solarcarchalle "e.or" .. h##p,GGwww.solarcar.$c$as#er.ca 1. h##p,GGwww.)or$ulasu .or" :. h##p,GGsc".levels.u isa.edu.auGsrcGp$wi/i.php <. h##p,GGwww.raccoo .co$GOcprave G#hesisG A. h##p,GGwww.u$r.eduGOdou"cGsolarGsu .h#$l D. h##p,GGweb.u$r.eduGOwi)Ge*peri$e #alG?eiCi ".Mevlar.h#$l E. h##p,GGsu si#e.a u.edu.auG0ues#aco Gai$sccP$ai .h#$l ;. h##p,GGwww.wi/ipedia.co$

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