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Gjac's avatar
Gjac
Explorer III
Jun 09, 2021

Solar charging a plugin hybrid car

I have read most of the solar and li battery threads but have never seen how they would ever be cost effective in the way I camp. Having said that I was wondering if solar panels on top of a MH be effective at charging a plugin hybrid or electric car while towing? For example would 4 hrs of travel in sunlight be enough to put 50 miles back into the car's battery? How much solar would be required to do this? Or is this jut not practical?

22 Replies

  • If you can achieve 240 volts at 40 amps with solar then it would work.
  • Oh boy, that would require knowing how many watts it takes to run your car 50 miles. I'll be back..
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    The most efficient cars, with the lowest energy consumption (Combined) are: Hyundai IONIQ Electric - 248 Wh/mile (154 Wh/km) Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus - 253 Wh/mile(157 Wh/km) Tesla Model 3 Standard Range - 257 Wh/mile (160 Wh/km)

    Ok, so, 248 watt-hours/mile (converted to 12v) = 21 amp-hrs/mile
    21 x 50 miles = 1,050 ah

    1050 ah / 4 hours = 262 amps of solar.

    No. 262 amps of solar @ 12v is out of the question.
    ====================================

    I could be totally wrong. Someone will let me know. As far as your 'cost effective' comment, solar is not always about cost effective, it's about quiet convenience.

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