Solar cars: Dreams are real

Non-gasoline cars, self-adjusting fuel when it's sunny or cool . appeared in the Solar Car contest, which will award on December 1 here. According to the author of these special cars, putting the car into circulation is likely to be within reach.

Turn the sun into "gasoline"

Living in sunny Nha Trang waters, Mr. Tran Thanh Cuong, AF Co., Ltd. and his colleagues have started designing solar cars. Simple cubic vehicle of a tetrahedron balanced on three small wheels. The top of the car is attached with an "artificial sunflower" which is assembled from solar panels (solar panel). The plane of these solar collectors has a mechatronic system that automatically adjusts perpendicular to the sun's rays at all times with the energy obtained from the sun. The car reaches a maximum speed of 25km / hour in good sunlight. In particular, the car is assembled by conventional materials such as aluminum door frames, hinges of all kinds, electric bicycle parts, broom sweepers, plastic chairs, advertising tarpaulins .

Car powered by solar energy.

MA Le Phuong Truong, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Lac Hong University of Ho Chi Minh City, also studied and launched a solar powered motorbike. From the regular motorbike, the group redesigned some parts, such as attaching a hood. The hood has a sun-shading effect and, more importantly, where solar panels are attached. Just leave the car in the sun, the battery panels on the roof will automatically receive solar radiation and convert into electricity without any cost. In good sunny conditions, the car reaches an average speed of 25km / h in 4 hours, in conditions without sunshine, the car can still run 1h30 minutes.

Technology is always available

Mr. Tran Thanh Cuong admitted, solar-powered cars are still high, about VND 30 million including batteries. However, once invested, it will no longer worry about " fueling " it, if calculated for a long time, the benefits will be great. Moreover, the use of solar energy will contribute to protecting the environment.

Le Phuong Truong, MS, said that solar car products have been developed completely but cannot be mass-produced due to the lack of a company that links production with research units. Technically it can be done, put the car into circulation or use in industrial parks, tourist resorts. Currently this car is also being improved to fit the street. The design will be more compact, can take power directly from the sun or through batteries. Motion design to adjust energy for sunny day and cool weather .

"From a consumer perspective, a car using solar fuel will certainly be welcome. But for commercialization, there must be investment in production and technical investment. Technology already exists, improvements. It is not a big problem to fit in with the roads, it is important to have businesses to invest and awareness of the people about the benefits of using solar energy , ' said Ms. Le Phuong Truong.

Compared to the electric and petrol motorbikes on the market, the cost of these super clean cars is better because the solar cells are quite expensive (3.2USD / W, the car uses 130W). However, in the long run, it does not cost money to buy gasoline like regular cars, so using a solar car is much more economical.