Solar Hybrid Car
Combustion engine vehicles are accountable for different kinds of pollutions in current decade due to the major impact of automotive systems on carbon dioxide production, climate changes and fossil fuel expenditure. So solar power for transportation can control pollution and also minimize th
2025-06-28 16:36:02 - Adil Khan
Solar Hybrid Car
Project Area of Specialization RoboticsProject SummaryCombustion engine vehicles are accountable for different kinds of pollutions in current decade due to the major impact of automotive systems on carbon dioxide production, climate changes and fossil fuel expenditure. So solar power for transportation can control pollution and also minimize the consequence of Global warming. This project is articulated to propose a Solar Electric Powered Hybrid Vehicle (SEPHV) system which solves the major problems of fuel and supports Green energy. An electric Solar car performs on the principle of photovoltaic cells that transform sunlight into energy, Lithium-ion batteries are used in Hybrid cars for reserving the Electric Power generated from Photovoltaic Cells. This Solar Electrical vehicle can charge itself from both solar and electric power and is more fuel-efficient in the manner of Green-house gases emission control.
Project ObjectivesOur car will basically run on Solar System as well as it will have a backup shystem as well supported by Batteries and Motors. Basically on days when Sun is not available, we are tryng our best that our car still can run for upto 2 hours.The speed that is targeted by us is about approximately 30 to 40km/hr.
The main objective of designing this car is to create an atmosphere friendly car which can be most beneficial and effective if used properly.
Project Implementation Method
The following block diagram gives overview of the project. The main source of the energy is the sunlight. The energy from sunlight is captured by the solar panels. A charge controller is used to regulate the voltage fluctuation produced by the solar panels. The regulated voltage is fed to the batteries and the batteries are charged. The batteries provide current to the DC motor for running the car. The batteries are initially charged by the AC power source using a battery adapter. This secondary source is used to complete the charging discharging cycle of the battery. Which is necessary for the proper running of batteries. Once the batteries are fully charged initially, then they are charged through solar panels. The secondary source is always a good option. When sunlight is not available the car can still run on power supplied by external AC source.
The three solar panels each of 100 watts are connected in series connection. They add to form the combined voltage of 36 volts DC and a current of 4.5 amperes at the output. This voltage is provided to the charge controller of the battery. The charge controller has a rating of 36 volts and 10 amperes current. The charge controller charges the batteries connected in series. A relay system has been connected to the batteries connected in series. Each relay is connected to each battery. The relay system is used to control the speed of motor. The relay system provides multiple speed options at 12V,24V and 36V. The relays add the voltage of the batteries and provide it to the DC motor. The DC motor works on full speed potential when provided with its maximum rating voltage of 36 volts. Multiple speed options can be created by lowering down the voltage provided by the batteries to the motor. Increasing the number of batteries connected through the relay increase the speed and vice versa.
Benefits of the Project- Solar car is a cheap source of transportation as their running cost is almost none. In Pakistan, we export cars which have a huge amount of taxes on them so this is basically a car which has costed us 1/5th of a regular car.
- They are pollution friendly as compared to the regular car. They neither produce any noise pollution nor produce any sort of harmful emission into the surroundings.
- Their maintenance is easy as compared to the regular car.
- Solar car have the ability of utilizing the maximum power available at any speed.
It is the main source through which our car will be in working condition. There are basically two parts in our electrical system. The first one is of course the solar energy whereas the second one is the backup system which will be used when sunlight is not available to ensure that our car always remains in the working condition.
- Solar Panels
In solar panels, electricity is generated by using sunlight as a source of energy. Solar panels mainly consists of the cells called as Solar cells which are used for converting directly the light energy into the electrical energy. This is being done by an effect called as photovoltaic effect. A photovoltaic effect is one in which electrons are emitted when sunshine or any other form of light is shone onto the surface of solar panel. Semiconductor materials such as Silicon and alloys of different elements are used in PV Cells. In PV cells, it must be kept in our minds that the energy of electrons which are emitted solely depends upon the energy of a single photons and is independent from the intensity of the light. We are using 3 Solar Panels which will be placed at the top and at the back of the Car as the highest amount of energy can be gained at these points. Each panel is 100 Watts which will be connected in series and is of 4x3 feet in length.
2. BatteriesWe will be using 3 batteries connected in Series. Each battery is of 12V and when they all are connected, we will be getting 36V combined. The Solar System placed at the roof of the car is necessary as it’s used for charging of the batteries using charge controller. Once the batteries are fully uncharged, it will require at least 5 to 6 hours to charge it completely.
3. MotorOur motor is capable of handling a maximum of 150kg to 180kg of weight including the weight of the driver. The speed of our car can vary from 0 to 40km/hour depending upon the amount of sunshine available or the energy stored in the battery. The change in speed makes current vary accordingly hence the variation in the speed must be minimum so that the battery remains in the working condition for a long time.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMFor maximizing the efficiency of the car, we don’t only require the electrical system but also the mechanical part as well. Mechanical system is also considered an important part in designing of the car. Lightweight materials must be used so that strength to weight ratio is optimized and the effectiveness of the car is increased. The main part of mechanical system is the chassis of the car i.e the structure of the car, to which all the components are attached. The other mechanical components are wheels, brakes, starring etc.
- Wheels
Solar car can be made using 3 wheels or 4 wheels. The lesser the number of wheels, the lesser the rolling resistance (force opposing the movement of an object when it swirls on the surface), but by using 3 wheels, the braking capability of the car decreases to 50% and also causes the stability problem.
Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemType of Industry Transportation Technologies RoboticsSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 75000 | |||
| Tires | Equipment | 4 | 2000 | 8000 |
| Solar Panels | Equipment | 3 | 4500 | 13500 |
| Gear Motor | Equipment | 1 | 10000 | 10000 |
| Charge Controller | Equipment | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Welding | Miscellaneous | 1 | 6000 | 6000 |
| Starring | Equipment | 1 | 1500 | 1500 |
| Metal Rods | Equipment | 10 | 2000 | 20000 |
| Batteries | Equipment | 3 | 4000 | 12000 |
| Seat | Equipment | 1 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Wires | Equipment | 1 | 1000 | 1000 |