Overhaulin'

Can I modify my car to use solar energy? Is there a kit?

I have a car that runs on regular unleaded gas and would like to convert it to use solar E. Is there a kit available to make this possible?

Public Comments

1. You could do an electric conversion for your car. It's expensive. (link 1) You could also put a lot of solar panels on your home (if you own one) That's very expensive. (link 2) Then use the solar panels to charge your car. True solar car look like toys. (link 3).
2. No, there is no such kit. The reason is that solar panels produce far too little power to run a normal car.
3. Probably the only practical way to run your car with solar power would be to get an electric car that you recharge at your home using a system of solar panels and batteries. It can be done. Check out http://www.monofuel.com for more ideas.
4. -- no, there isn't. -- there just isn't enough solar energy in the footprint of a car, to power a car. -- if you did, what would you do at night? or when you were out driving, and clouds covered the sun? -- not to mention the expense and work, and permitting, etc that would make the project unworkable.
5. Sure is. Buy a small solar panel and hook up a cigarette lighter adapter to the cord. Plug it in and it will keep your battery charged while you play the radio with the engine off, run a small fan to keep the vehicle cool while parked or lessen the load on the alternator while driving. Not much, but I get maybe a mile per gallon better mileage with it.