In the current era where AI is the talk of the town in Silicon Valley, researchers have directed their efforts towards leveraging it to address the solar energy conundrum for electric vehicles (EVs). A recent conference paper sheds light on how researchers at the University of Technology and Research in Odisha, India, utilized a virtual model to determine when to harness solar energy for propelling motors or charging battery packs.
As outlined in their recent findings, these researchers employed a model to optimize solar panel output, achieving an 88% efficiency in powering an electric motor, surpassing the typical 75%-80% efficiency of most motors. The researchers envision that solar-powered electric motors will find applications not only in electric vehicles but also in industrial machinery and household appliances.
Solar cells boast a maximum power output, which is not always attained due to variables like temperature and available sunlight. However, tweaking the resistance of the cells can increase the amount of energy produced. Thus, the researchers trained an artificial intelligence model to determine the optimal resistance under varying conditions by inputting thousands of daily measurements of temperature and solar irradiation.
These calculations are then employed to govern the ideal behavior of the motor, regenerative braking, and battery pack. If it’s sunny and the solar cells can generate maximum power, they are used to power the motor, with excess energy sent to the battery pack. If it’s dark, the powertrain switches to conventional EV operation, using the battery to power the motor and regenerative braking to recharge it when possible.
While this remains purely in the realm of research, it holds promise for future generations of solar-powered cars that will need to make the most of a range of lighting conditions.
Several attempts have been made to develop a solar car, but none have successfully made it to the market. Lightyear is regrouping towards its mass-market model, the Lightyear 2, originally slated for 2025, following the cancellation of the Lightyear 0, which the company claimed had the world’s most efficient production powertrain.
Sono had plans to use all the body panels for solar power in its Sion EV, but the project fell through when Sono shifted its focus to solar enhancements for buses and trucks.
On the other hand, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the latest Toyota Prius Prime come equipped with solar roofs, providing supplementary battery charging without directly assisting in propelling the vehicles. Fisker has also made solar roofs a design feature in the recently launched Ocean electric SUV and the upcoming Pear.
