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From: jans@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM (Jan Steinman)
Newsgroups: sci.energy,sci.electronics,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Tech details on GM Electric Car
Message-ID: <6697@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM>
Date: 18 Jan 90 20:40:20 GMT
Followup-To: sci.energy
Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or.
Lines: 19

<That gives me a thought -- drive your car to work, then unfold your solar 
array and let the sun charge your batteries while you work!>

We're talking MAJOR unfolding here!  Assuming a 20HP engine running for 15 
minutes, 80% engine and charging efficiency, and 15% solar conversion 
efficiency, and nine-hour charge time (and even more improbably, you're parked 
on the equator, and it is noon all day :-), it would take 4.3 square meters of 
PV material.  (This also assumes that you do not use your brakes!)

Although I'm a solar advocate, I don't envision this happening anytime soon.  
Note that if the solar/electrical efficiency were closer to the 
electrical/chemical or electrical/mechanical efficiencies, it might be 
possible.  (Maybe if DOE would shift public subsidies to PV from that "other" 
technology?)

							   Jan Steinman - N7JDB
					Tektronix Electronic Systems Laboratory
					Box 500, MS 50-370, Beaverton, OR 97077
						(w)503/627-5881 (h)503/657-7703