• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Solar Panels

PTweedle

New Blood
P
Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
23
Hi Everyone,
Driving my last internal combustion vehicle. Checking out the Chevy Volt. Here's my question: Who out there can help me with how best to rig a solar charging station for my new Volt? (when I get one).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Patty :)
 
Generally, people install panels attached to a set of battery backups and an inverter (to make the DC into usable AC), and usually have a grid intertie. You can also skip the batteries and just run your meter backward (at a lower rate in most places, I think) and essentially use the grid as your battery.

I don't think there would be any point in making a set up separate from your house's electrical system dedicated just for recharging the car. The solutions for connecting your house are already there, and electricians already install them.

It's not a quick pay back on investment, though. It will pay for itself eventually, though.
 
Yes, a grid-tied system is most effective as you can dispense with batteries. You feed the grid when you use less than you make and it feeds you when you don't. Downside is that you have no power at all if the grid goes down because the inverter syncs to the 60Hz carrier.
 
BenBurch said:
<snip>You feed the grid when you use less than you make <snip>
Click to expand...

I have heard (can't remember where exactly) that some places in the US won't pay you (or even give you credit) for the extra electricity you feed the grid. Does anyone have any info on that? Is that the power company's prerogative (i.e. Is that legal)? Does it vary by state? etc.
 
Unless you drive very little running a car on pv would require an enormous array. Very expensive.
 
PT, perhaps you should post expected miles?

And is there a stated KWH/mile of the Volt?

AAaand, does PV ever actually pay for it self?
 
It is worth noting that a team has created a technique to spray on a PV film with a very low production cost and wastage and they are hoping to bring efficiency up to about 12%.
 
PTweedle said:
Hi Everyone,
Driving my last internal combustion vehicle. Checking out the Chevy Volt. Here's my question: Who out there can help me with how best to rig a solar charging station for my new Volt? (when I get one).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Patty :)
Click to expand...

Well, I suppose that such a thing could be done ...

However, you would need a rather large and rather expensive solar photovoltaic system in order to produce the energy that is needed for your electric car. In fact, such a system would be so large and so expensive that I expect it would be better to use the grid electrical system instead.

Therefore, I ask that you please consider using grid power as opposed to solar power.
 
It depends on where you are and the subsidies for solar roof top.
Some areas with the subsidies the pay back is as little as 7 years.

What occurs is the dispersed power - even tho expensive reduces the peak load needed to build out. ( high sun days = high electrical demand )
This has already happened in Germany.
( here is the reasoning .....you can't build a partial major power plant but the peak load might need to be just that ....so additional power just at peak commands a higher premium as it protects the whole grid ).

There is no reason not to do it if the ROI is inside 7-10 years as the panels are good for 40.
And no reason not tie into the grid. Even if it supplies 20% of your "fuel" - it feeds into the grid all the time the sun is on it.

Solar is part of the solution to move to carbon neutral transport.....clean grid power via nuclear is the major one tho.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom