Comments on: Solar Powered Air Conditioning Can Reduce Fuel Costs by up to 20 per cent http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense Automobile Experts Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:25:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Bookmarks about Solar http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-114 Bookmarks about Solar Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:45:16 +0000 http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-114 [...] - bookmarked by 6 members originally found by klchan97 on 2008-08-04 ChaCha Fance: Solar Powered AC Can Reduce Car Fuel Costs by up to http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense - [...] […] - bookmarked by 6 members originally found by klchan97 on 2008-08-04 ChaCha Fance: Solar Powered AC Can Reduce Car Fuel Costs by up to http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense - […]

]]> By: Supernetuser http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-80 Supernetuser Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:31:41 +0000 http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-80 If more people started using solar panels, then more people would pretty much be off the PG&E grid, leaving people self-sufficient but no, big gov't doesn't want that one. This isn't cost effective. If more people started using solar panels, then more people would pretty much be off the PG&E grid, leaving people self-sufficient but no, big gov’t doesn’t want that one. This isn’t cost effective.

]]> By: Stoney deGeyter http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-79 Stoney deGeyter Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:17:30 +0000 http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-79 It's an interesting idea, but what's the cost (monetarily and in energy to produce the solar panels). Could be a case of spending an extra $1000 to save $500 worth of gas. It’s an interesting idea, but what’s the cost (monetarily and in energy to produce the solar panels). Could be a case of spending an extra $1000 to save $500 worth of gas.

]]> By: Mike King http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-78 Mike King Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:03:23 +0000 http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-78 Here's the article talking specifically about this car everyone: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9985501-1.html?hhTest=1&tag=cnetfd.mt Here’s the article talking specifically about this car everyone:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9985501-1.html?hhTest=1&tag=cnetfd.mt

]]> By: Reduce Fuel Costs http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-74 Reduce Fuel Costs Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:22:08 +0000 http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-74 Interesting use of solar panels. I would think that 2 to 5 kilowatts would require rather large panels. They would have to be either curved to fit the way most roofs are shaped or the roof would have to be flat, which would sacrifice some of the aerodynamics. Interesting use of solar panels. I would think that 2 to 5 kilowatts would require rather large panels.

They would have to be either curved to fit the way most roofs are shaped or the roof would have to be flat, which would sacrifice some of the aerodynamics.

]]> By: Paul B http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-73 Paul B Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:10:59 +0000 http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-73 First, wouldn't the roof mounted solar panels create drag? Probably more drag than rolling the windows down. Second, the air conditioning compressor is a mechanical device. How is this electrical device going to turn the compressor? Third (and last), how efficiently will it cool the car? I live in Phoenix, Arizona and it's 109 today. Last week it was up to 113 (and it's only July!) We have lots of sun, which is great for solar panels, but we also have lots of heat. I guess anything mounted to the roof would shade the car thereby making it cooler (and keeping the bird crap off the paint). First, wouldn’t the roof mounted solar panels create drag? Probably more drag than rolling the windows down.
Second, the air conditioning compressor is a mechanical device. How is this electrical device going to turn the compressor?
Third (and last), how efficiently will it cool the car? I live in Phoenix, Arizona and it’s 109 today. Last week it was up to 113 (and it’s only July!) We have lots of sun, which is great for solar panels, but we also have lots of heat. I guess anything mounted to the roof would shade the car thereby making it cooler (and keeping the bird crap off the paint).

]]> By: Bret http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-72 Bret Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:57:19 +0000 http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/cars/solar-powered-air-conditioning-for-cars-just-makes-sense#comment-72 Finally, a sensible implementation of solar cells on a car with an immediate payoff. Of course, the critics will want to calculate the ROI before praising this innovation. I argue, however, that too much emphasis on ROI stifles the adoption of worthwhile technology. Don't get me wrong, ROI calculations are valuable but often are nothing more than an argument for maintaining the "status quo" for energy creation and consumption. At some point we have to realize that we'll all have to give a little to gain a lot in the long run. Finally, a sensible implementation of solar cells on a car with an immediate payoff. Of course, the critics will want to calculate the ROI before praising this innovation. I argue, however, that too much emphasis on ROI stifles the adoption of worthwhile technology. Don’t get me wrong, ROI calculations are valuable but often are nothing more than an argument for maintaining the “status quo” for energy creation and consumption. At some point we have to realize that we’ll all have to give a little to gain a lot in the long run.

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