Regardless of whether you have a car, you must have been affected by fluctuating oil prices at one time or another. In addition to unreliable prices oil is also one of the greatest pollutants in the world. For this reason, governments and companies are working hard to come up with oil substitutes and one of these substitutes is solar power.

You may have heard about solar powered cars and you might be thinking that that it is one of the most impractical things ever. You probably believe that you will never drive a solar powered car in your lifetime. Well, guess what? If that is what you are thinking, you are wrong!

Their History

People have used solar energy in their homes for quite some time now. However, the use of solar energy to power vehicles was a concept that was explored in the 1970s when the world was experiencing a severe oil shortage. However, the interest in solar powered cells was not pursued intensively by car manufacturers. The interest in the cars has not been consistent and has largely depended on oil prices.

How It Works

Well, you may be wondering how solar powered cars work. The main function of a solar panel is to receive light from the sun and then convert the light to electricity. The electricity is then used to power the car and make it run.

Practicality

From the above explanation of how solar powered cars work, one might think that the process is quite simple and even wonder why such cars are not being produced and sold. Unfortunately, a car that is powered by solar power will require having an extremely light frame and body so as to make it light enough. Again, such a car would have to stay in the sun at all times. This means that putting the car inside the parking lots and the shades will not work. Therefore, these vehicles are just made for demonstration purposes and as hobbies (by individuals.)

Now

Reading the above article it might be right to conclude that solar powered cars are only meant for the future. That would actually have been the case were it not for the creativity of the Toyota Company of coming up with the Toyota 2010 model which has a solar powered moonroof. The energy from the solar panel will then be used to power the air conditioner and help reduce your gas bill.

Though existing technology is still expensive and which means that the cars will not be so widespread, we hope for better things ahead. As companies continue make huge investments into solar powered cars, you and I will son be cruising in our neighborhoods with fully solar powered cars.

Want to Start Making Solar Power at Home? Check out these instructions for building your own solar power. Includes videos, ebook, diagrams, and all the plans you need to get off the power grid and start saving some green while going green.
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