A rising interest in renewable energy sources has prompted numerous automakers to consider solar-powered vehicles as a sustainable mode of transportation. Electric automobiles are cleaner than traditional ones. Because of the pollution caused by the electricity used to power cars, solar-powered EVs are a preferable solution. Solar cars are electric vehicles that employ photovoltaic cells to convert solar energy into electricity. It can store energy in batteries, allowing cars to run smoothly at night or in the absence of direct sunshine.

How do solar-powered vehicles work?

Solar automobiles are made up of several small solar PV cells that produce electricity. The PV cell is placed between semi-conducting materials such as silicon. When this is combined with phosphorus and boron, each side develops a positive and negative electrical charge, resulting in an electric field between the two layers.

When a ray of sunlight knocks an electron loose, the metal conducting plates on the cell's sides collect and transmit the electrons to wires. Electrons can flow from the wire, acting as an electrical source to power the car. A solar car has technological and design restrictions, as it will not be aesthetically pleasing. 

Advantages of Solar Cars

Solar automobiles have numerous advantages over conventional vehicles. It helps you save money on gas. Solar energy is free and abundant.  The only additional expense is for battery replacement.

Solar automobiles are sustainable and environmentally friendly, helping to improve society by eliminating the threat of carbon emissions. It produces a pollution-free atmosphere by completely eliminating noise and air pollution.

General Motors invented the first solar-powered car, the Sunmobile, in 1955. It was a little 15-inch car. It consisted of a small Pooley electric motor and twelve selenium photovoltaic cells.

Why are entirely solar-powered automobiles not yet a reality?

There are several reasons why even the most advanced automakers have been unable to produce totally solar-powered vehicles.

First, consider the low efficiency of solar panels. Most commercially operational solar panels are only 20 to 35% efficient. That will not be sufficient for travel requirements on a low solar day. Second, the quantity of panels that can be carried in a car is a barrier. Solar panels are too heavy and expensive to load into cars. Most significantly, they are quite heavy and expensive. Solar films are significantly lighter than panels. However, it cannot be used as a replacement because they are less efficient.

Solar automobiles with solar PV panels can produce roughly 8 kWh of energy each day. However, energy generation is dependent on a number of elements, including weather, driving conditions, panel location, and panel maintenance.

Poor weather, incorrect panel alignment, and dirt collection would make it impossible to achieve even 8kWh.

Solar-powered vehicles are extremely sustainable, however they are not "100%" environmentally benign. Batteries and solar cells contribute to the carbon footprint because their raw materials come from the Earth.