Got feedback on the new design? We're Listening! Send us Feedback

Solar Powered Vehicle Air Conditioning Can Reduce Fuel Costs by up to 20% »

Posted by: jeffquipp 1 month, 1 week ago

7.3

Scale of 1 to 10

Read: 179

Propped: 65

Comments: 9

Click Prop It to Raise Score

Prop it

Looking to reduce fuel costs. One good technique proportedly available next summer is solar powered vehicle air conditioning ... and it may save up to 20% in vehicle fuel costs.

Read Full Story at caaneo.ca

Join the Discussion

+ Add Comment

Comments So Far: 9

0%
vizion1 month, 1 week ago

this would be cool but how big are those solar panels going to be? I mean I don't want to go around with some huge 4x8 foot solar panel on the roof of my car.
Reply
2 Replies
- 0%
  bluetexasvalley1 month ago
  
  Do you really think a company like Toyota is going to make a ridiculous-looking vehicle? Check it out. :)
  http://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/index.html
  Reply
- 0%
  Nowalive1 month ago
  
  Vizion,
  New nanosolar technology will allow "painting" the roof with solar cells. Check this out.
  http://science.propeller.com/story/2008/05/27/s...
  You would never even see them, except for maybe a black patch on the roof.
  Reply
0%
JanetGilbert1 month ago

Air conditioning uses al ot of my fuel but not everybody's. The minute I switch it on I can see the big difference in my fuel tank.
Janet
Reply
0%
Justice4All1 month ago

I'm skeptical. Running the AC does not increase my fuel costs by 20% so how can a solar AC save 20%.
Reply
1 Reply
- 0%
  Nowalive1 month ago
  
  Actually it does. On the average running the A/C requires an additional 15% more power from the engine directly (through the drag caused by the A/C clutch) and electrically to operate the blower, and A/C clutch (A large electromagnet). This caused you to burn more fuel while running the A/C.
  Reply
0%
Justice4All1 month ago

Using a solar panel to recharge a battery in an electric/hybrid car would make a lot of sense as long as most driving was done just using the battery.
Reply
1 Reply
- 0%
  Nowalive1 month ago
  
  This is impractical as the amperage required to recharge those batteries is currently not available from solar without additional and oftentimes heavy, step-up transformers. This could add as much as an additional 75 pounds to a vehicle offsetting much of the captured energy by using extra to move a heavier vehicle.
  Reply
0%
torka1 month ago

Interesting idea.
In tracking my gas mileage (and I do track pretty closely given the way prices are going) I don't see a 20% difference from when I run the AC and when I don't. (Driving a Honda Civic, manual transmission, and getting better than the rated mileage as it is.) I'm sure there are other factors that come in to play, though.
Reply