How solar cells work, what holds them back, and EVs with rooftop panels
Understanding exactly how solar cells work, their fundamental efficiency limits, and why electric vehicles don’t get rooftop PV panels…
In this report, I’m going to help you understand exactly how solar cells work.
Not only this, you’re going to learn the fundamental limits to solar cells in terms of efficiency, and we’ll answer that common question I get regularly, about why electric vehicles don't actually come out of the factory with an enormous photovoltaic solar panel on the roof.
Get ready for the beer garden physics deep dive into photovoltaics and why the idea of putting a solar array on an EV seems like a perfect fit, but doesn't work.
Here’s the question from James McLean:
Put simply, no, James. They did not forget. They probably thought about this in R&D for about 10 minutes before deciding that it was pretty much a fool's errand.
Rooftop solar for electric vehicles is completely impractical, however nice it seems. You can figure this out pretty quickly with a pen and a napkin and an engineering degree and I'm tipping most of you only have two out of three on this, which, sadly is insufficient to get a pass on this one.
So if you invest the next 30 minutes, I will reward you with a beer garden PhD in applied photovoltaics and I think we all want that. This will help you understand rooftop solar at home and it actually works, plus what its fundamental limitations are.
While we're talking about photons and the spectrum and spooky subatomic interaction generally, how about we get a tired old automotive myth and bust it for good?
I thought you might like that.
MORE REPORTS ON BATTERIES, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, FUEL CELLS & CHARGING
Understanding Batteries: Watt-hours Vs Amp-hours, power, energy and more >>
Answering your electric vehicle questions (after 10,000km in a Kona EV) >>
The truth about EVs, long-distance driving & regional recharging >>
Top 26 questions on Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles (FCEVs) answered >>
My AutoExpert AFFORDABLE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
If you’re sick of paying through the neck for roadside assistance I’ve teamed up with 24/7 to offer AutoExpert readers nationwide roadside assistance from just $69 annually, plus there’s NO JOINING FEE
Full details here >>
Check out my Olight discount! These flashlights are awesome and Olight supports this channel.
Get 12% off your order using the code AEJC here: https://bit.ly/3zF5hCQ
Still considering an SUV? The Kia Cerato is a solid value proposition, which could save you thousands while offering greater space, more features and build quality as good as any Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3. There’s even an affordable performance version. Let’s talk about Cerato…