Prototypes combine solar power with batteries for self-recharge
Solar power has the highest power density among all renewable energies, so we should certainly be devoting a great deal of research into how best to capture and use that power. Being that solar electric power cells generally deliver their power in the form of DC current, as opposed to AC current like would be used in a home, it makes sense to pair solar power with batteries and battery powered devices. One problem with this strategy is that electronics tend to be small, and get smaller with each revision. Not only that, when one thinks of solar cells, they generally think of flat surfaces, of which there are few on electronic devices, or cars for that matter. Fortunately, all of these problems are being worked on, and solutions are being developed.
Take, for instance, this article from Technology Review. This article details what the European Polymer Solar Battery project has come up with: thin, flexible lithium polymer batteries with integrated solar recharging. What is noteworthy about this project is that the batteries must have a charging limiter built in to protect from over-charging the batteries. The batteries being used are the same as the ones used in the iPod nano. What possible problems might this be a solution to? Being a blog on automobiles, I think of the car battery. Removing the large lead-acid battery from under the hood and the associated charging system, i.e., the alternator or generator, belts and pulleys would obviously save gas and cut down on maintenance.
[Source: Technology Review]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bob 10:10AM (4/06/2007)
I think we need to keep the alternator. There are many electrical appliances in a car, such as lights at night, etc.
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Tim 10:41AM (4/06/2007)
Any car with a battery (EV or not) and thin film solar on the hood, roof and/or deck lid would benefit from "opportunity" charging anytime the sun was shining. This makes sense only when economically practical. There is a promising new “printable” thin film technology coming online. Think “printing” the car with PV solar collectors. Solar is perhaps the most rapidly advancing “green” energy tech.
However, just because we CAN do a thing, doesn’t mean that we SHOULD do that thing.
Example: Can we make H2 with water and electricity… YES! Is it more practical, more economical and most importantly more EFFICIENT than just using the electricity? NO! Therefore we should only produce H2 via electrolyzing H2O when this makes practical sense like when H2 is required onsite to produce clean flame for industrial processes like manufacturing glass fiber optics.
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Howard Lee Harkness 12:06PM (4/06/2007)
Yet another breakthrough (wearthrough?) in solar PV tech: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4017784a13.html
From the article: "New solar cells developed by Massey University don't need direct sunlight to operate and use a patented range of dyes that can be impregnated in roofs, window glass and eventually even clothing to produce power."
This article also mentioned that this technology will produce solar cells at about 1/10th the cost of silicon PV, and have comparable efficiency. I did not see any mention of how long they last, but even if they only last 1/10th as long as silicon PV (e.g., 2-3 years), the lower cost would be a win (due to the time-value of money).
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