Ford C-Max Solar Power Notion Image
Ford’;s solar-roofed C-Max Energi notion is far more than just a notion now. | May possibly 30, 2014
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- Ford’;s solar-roofed C-Max Energi concept is much more than just a notion now.
- A lot of R&D nevertheless wants to be accomplished, but improvements in solar panel efficiency and the higher price tag of gasoline may possibly help the economics pencil out, says Ford’;s electric auto chief.
- Ford is functioning with power utilities to decide the very best techniques to use solar-made electrical energy from a car to assist manage the national power grid.
IRVIVE, California — You’;d by no means want to place this auto where the sun does not shine. Ford Motor Co. says it can make a case for future production of plug-in hybrid and battery electric cars that get at least part of their charge from Old Sol.
The automaker, which has about 11 % of the marketplace for plug-in automobiles, says that advances in solar panel efficiency and continuing high costs for gasoline, along with federal specifications for ever-enhancing fuel efficiency assist make a case for cars that can charge for free for the duration of the day.
Ford showed a idea version at the International Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year: a Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid with 2 lightweight solar panels on its roof and a sunlight-intensifying parking structure to magnify the solar rays obtaining to these panels.
But in a briefing session Thursday at the company’;s Southern California sophisticated style studio, Ford’;s director of vehicle electrification said factors have gone beyond the idea stage.
“Solar panels had been 1.5 percent to 2 percent efficient in the mid-1970s, and now they are 21 % efficient” at converting sunshine to electrical energy, said EV chief Michael Tinskey. “And their cost has fallen from $ 77 per watt of energy output to about 74 cents per watt.”
He would not give price figures for the C-Max rooftop program, but stated that the savings from generating up to 2 kilowatt-hours of energy every day from the sun, excellent for about 5 miles of travel in a C-Max, could make such a system economically feasible. Electrical energy these days is averaging about 20 cents a kilowatt throughout peak periods and gasoline is in the $ 3.75-$ 4.00 per gallon variety.
Testing, which has been going on considering that ahead of the idea version was unveiled in January, “shows us that the idea performs,” mentioned Tinskey. “But a lot much more development still has to be completed” prior to a production auto could be launched.
Amongst other items, he stated, the rooftop panels would require to be better integrated into the auto for improved aerodynamics. “We have to function on every little thing from heat management to how to handle vehicle washes,” he mentioned.
Furthermore, Ford is working with power utilities to decide the greatest techniques to use solar-made electricity from a auto to aid manage the national energy grid.
The automaker also demands to seek the cooperation of organizations and public agencies for installation of the solar “concentrator” parking structure that would help each solar auto maximize its time in the sun. Such structures wouldn’;t be practical in most private houses but could easily be installed in outdoor parking lots at workplaces, buying centers, schools and other public facilities.
Edmunds says: Solar vehicles could operate effectively in sunny states, but may well not be really so popular in the northern climes. And exactly where would all these California and Hawaiian surfers put their boards? There are no roof racks on a solar car.
Ford Sees Prospective Market place for Solar Automobile | Edmunds.com
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