Design and Performance Analysis of Solar Based Vehicle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64882/ijrt.v14.i2.1498Keywords:
solar vehicle, photovoltaic cells, MPPT, BLDC motor, renewable energy, sustainable transport, lithium-ion battery, energy efficiencyAbstract
The growing demand for sustainable transportation and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves have collectively intensified interest in solar-powered vehicles. This paper presents the comprehensive design, fabrication, and performance analysis of a solar-based vehicle prototype that utilizes photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert solar energy into electrical energy for vehicular propulsion. The integrated system employs monocrystalline solar panels rated at 300W (2 × 150W), a 20A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller, a 48V 26Ah lithium-ion battery storage system, and a 750W Brushless DC (BLDC) hub motor. Extensive performance tests were conducted under varying solar irradiance conditions in Central India (Bhopal, 23.25°N latitude) during March 2024. Experimental results demonstrate that the prototype achieves a maximum speed of 28 km/h with an operational range of 45–55 km under ideal solar irradiance conditions and 35–40 km without direct solar input. The system shows an estimated payback period of approximately 4.2 years when compared against conventional petrol scooters for a 30 km daily usage pattern. Challenges pertaining to PV energy density, weather dependency, initial cost, and payload capacity are critically examined. Future improvements including lightweight composite materials, vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV), Perovskite solar cells, and IoT-based energy monitoring systems are also discussed.
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