The Disadvantages of a Solar Powered Car

The popularity of solar vehicles is gaining ground lately, although gasoline-powered cars are still prevalent in the auto market. Solar cars are cars that run on solar energy. The cars have solar panels on their upper surface. The photovoltaic cells power the vehicle when connected to a 48-volt battery charger. Its function is to convert sunlight into electricity.

Solar vehicles are excellent when you want to protect the environment because they do not generate gas emissions. The invention of the solar car is what makes renewable energy possible in the automobile industry. It reduces pollution and is a method of transportation that many people would prefer.

However, owning such a car will bring you advantages and disadvantages. One of those disadvantages would be the lower speed. A solar car cannot benefit from the same power as a vehicle that runs on fossil fuels. This is because its electric backup battery is powered by solar energy, which varies from day to day. Therefore, solar cars can only be driven at a slower pace.

Another issue would be security. Solar cars are usually very light, unlike large cars, whose structures consist of a large amount of steel. In the event of collisions, a car with a heavy steel body will absorb the impact, protecting victims. This is something that cannot be said about solar vehicles, as they have limited power and cannot support a heavy steel frame, and rely on solar cells placed throughout their body. Because of their small size, they are considered dangerous in the event of an accident.

Like the solar panels made for houses, the panels that cover the top surface of a solar car are designed to absorb sunlight and generate heat. But this is not possible when night falls or when the sky is covered with clouds. Therefore, you may encounter problems when you want to drive in bad weather conditions as the performance of the car will be affected.

If you are planning to buy a solar car, you need to think carefully about how you will maintain it. The surface of such cars is covered with solar energy collectors; any strong blow could damage them. Replacing these collectors could cost you a lot of money. More expenses will appear if you need to change the car’s rechargeable battery system.

The decision to buy a solar car is not an easy one. One must weigh both the advantages and the disadvantages. However, solar cars are a great investment if you think about the long-term benefits. There will be no need to spend money on gasoline or other fuels.