BTECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERIGNSEMINAR-SOLAR CAR

SOLAR CAR

Abstract

A solar car is a solar vehicle used for land transport. Solar cars combine technology typically used in the aerospace, bicycle, alternative energy and automotive industries. The main component of a solar car is its solar array, consisting of photovoltaic cells, which collect the energy from the sun and converts it into usable electrical energy. The energy is passed either to the battery for storage, or to the motor to run the car, though a device called power tracker, which convert it into the required voltage. The decision on whether to transfer the power to the motor or battery is made by a small onboard computer called the motor controller. It is responsible for sending the electricity smoothly to the motor when the accelerator is depressed, controlling the torque that goes to the motor such that the car maintains the desired speed. Some cars also use a process called regenerative braking, which allows some of the kinetic energy stored in the vehicle’s translating mass to be stored in the battery when the car is slowing down. Thus solar car is made up of many components that have been integrated together so that they work as a single system.

The objective of this seminar is to provide a general idea regarding the various components and working of the solar car.  

FULL REPORT https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Byguw118v--0bUZfOHRKZXRvZmM