Set-up and performance investigation of an innovative solar vehicle

Solar energy is a regenerative and clean source of energy. In Makkah city (21.4 °N), the solar radiation is relatively high along the year; it is more than 5 KWh/m2 a day and it is high enough to be efficiently used. On the other hand, due to high pollution and traffic in “MASHAER” region in Makkah where pilgrimage is developed, a solar vehicle can be considered as smart solution for these problems. Therefore, a gasoline engine is replaced by an electrical drive motor in an old (second hand) vehicle, cargo car. The energy required for this motor is converted from the solar energy to electric power through the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules those produce energy by absorbing incoming sunlight. Then it is stored in batteries that feed the motor by needed energy. Therefore, the vehicle transmission mechanism includes electrical motor with variable speed controller that rotates the vehicle wheels by a chain drive. A simple brake system is installed to control the vehicle speed. The size of pho...