**Tesla Model S** The first nail in the internal combustions engines coffin?

[Jonnycoupe]

The advancement in solar technology could mean charging stations can store power during the day at a much higher rate than previous solar technologies. Aren't current solar panels something like 75% efficient? And then there's that kid's innovation on panel array design (like a tree) which increases electricity generation by quite a bit.

Try 13% for one of the mainstream units that isnt an expensive galleium arsenide panel material. (20%+)

There is nothing limiting with the rate of solar charging, just need lots of area.

A pond of water with a turbine and lift pump is a simple way. Pump water up in the day using sun power then let it down at night whilst you generate electricity.

 

[mrk]

It might be expensive to buy and install such a combination but maintenance (or lack of) would positively offset against running a petrol or dirty car over time

Jonnycoupe, check this: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/08/19/novel-idea-arrange-solar-panels-like-nature-designed-it/

^That's the kind of innovation I was on about.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

It might be expensive to buy and install such a combination but maintenance (or lack of) would positively offset against running a petrol or dirty car over time

You'd need two batteries for a start though

 

[Cosimo]

You'd need two batteries for a start though

.... and another two as backup.

 

[Dogbreath]

It might be expensive to buy and install such a combination but maintenance (or lack of) would positively offset against running a petrol or dirty car over time

Jonnycoupe, check this: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/08/19/novel-idea-arrange-solar-panels-like-nature-designed-it/

^That's the kind of innovation I was on about.

That's just completely pointless. A single large panel with solar tracking is going to be hugely better than multiple small panels pointing in different directions.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

It might be expensive to buy and install such a combination but maintenance (or lack of) would positively offset against running a petrol or dirty car over time

Jonnycoupe, check this: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/08/19/novel-idea-arrange-solar-panels-like-nature-designed-it/

^That's the kind of innovation I was on about.

Innovation? LOL

 

[Cosimo]

Innovation? LOL

It might be when you can by solar trees from the garden centre.

 

[mrk]

Do you even know what innovation means?

 

[sigma]

I hope people (obviously not posters on here) don't think this will be any cheaper than petrol though, it'll be taxed just as much as petrol no doubt.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Do you even know what innovation means?

I would hope so, yes.

That tree is worse that just putting all the panels flat to the ground.

 

[jigger]

>100KW(*) seems like rather a lot to be supplying to a car. Can you get that at home?


* Taking regenerative braking into account, 4 miles per KWh charged beforehand is a reasonable estimate. 300 miles therefore requires 75KWh. 75KWh in 45 minutes would require 100KW with perfect charging efficiency, which doesn't exist.

I don't think Lithium packs deplete heavily like other batteries, each cell just needs to be kept within parameters. You should never really need to deep cycle but even if you did it's not a huge problem setting up a fast charging station at home should you need to.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

This conjected 100kW fast charging station is a huge problem for a domestic supply. Whether its charging batteries or running an alumimium casting furnace doesnt really change the demands of that sort of power at a house.

 

[jigger]

This conjected 100kW fast charging station is a huge problem for a domestic supply.

Only if your using 240v from the wall on demand but you could easily set up a charging station to look after a 100kw battery at home.

 

[Cosimo]

Do you even know what innovation means?

Do you?

 

[Glaucus]

my point still stands; it's a stop gap. There will likely be some sort of hybrid with a liquid fuel AND electric engine. But it'll never completely replace a pump

B@

Why would it be a stop gap.
That makes no sense, the problems with it are now, not in 30+ years time when the infrastructure is in and tech has improved.

If electric cars become mainstream how will they manage the charging process for massive numbers of cars? Will people rely on charging at home or will stations be needed, they would end up with huge queues while waiting 45 mins on each car in them.

That will be decades away though I expect

There's already projects to instal thousands of charging stations and as well as grants for businesses with car parks. This will only snowball when electric car usage increases.

 

[mrk]

Do you?

Do you?

The kid's idea is an innovation, by definition it builds on existing technology, makes it better by generating 20-50% more energy than a standard flat panel array.

If that's not an innovation then what is it?

 

[Glaucus]

We don't get enough light.

B@

We get plenty of light, current panels are 9-13% efficient. Prototypes are up to ~40% a current installation will provide 4000-5000kwh a year more than enough power overall for a light car user.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Only if your using 240v from the wall on demand but you could easily set up a charging station to look after a 100kw battery at home.

My house main fuse board is 100A. It and the wiring would need to be uprated to deal with 400A to even start thinking about pulling 100kW.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Do you?

The kid's idea is an innovation, by definition it builds on existing technology, makes it better by generating 20-50% more energy than a standard flat panel array.

If that's not an innovation then what is it?

Sorry? Do you actually think that generates more power by having the panels point in all different directions?

There is no mention that teh panels are the same area. Nor if the house model went through a number of interations to optimise its angle.

If innovation is producing 20% more power from 60% more panel then I need to reassess its definition.

 

[kaiowas]

My house main fuse board is 100A. It and the wiring would need to be uprated to deal with 400A to even start thinking about pulling 100kW.

There are ways around this.

Theoretically you could pull a much lower current over a longer period of time, storing the energy within the charging station until you plug in, at which point it could deliver the fast charge to the batteries.