Solar Panels an Effective Means of Transportation
This week Ford will unveil its new concept car at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new C-MAX Solar Energi takes the plug-in hybrid system to a new level by using a unique canopy system, designed by Georgia Tech, that adds solar panels to the car itself.
The new canopy system includes Fresnel lenses that are supposed to increase the influence of the sun’s rays by a factor of eight. This will allow the car to draw 8 kilowatt-hours of electricity, allowing us to potentially, “drive our vehicles everyday using solar technology alone.”
Mike Tinskey, Ford’s global director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure, said, “The panels are extremely light. They’re not nearly as thick as they appear.” He added that the panels added only a few extra pounds to the overall weight of the vehicle.
Ford has been working with SunPower Corp on a Drive Green for Life program, which hopes to install solar power systems in homes of Ford customers. The current 2.5-kilowatt systems costs $10,000 to install, with Ford launching a new price point in the next few weeks.
Though solar energy is a great means to protect our environment, the cost of these vehicles and the home set up is still a little out-of-reach for the average consumer. Until the price drops, oil is still going to be a huge priority. What’s significant to note, however, is that companies are definitely striving for a brighter – and cleaner – future.
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