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Solar Energy Becoming More Pervasive
TheUploader writes "RenewableEnergyAccess is reporting that Solatec LLC has released a stick-on solar panel kit that charges your hybrid while parked. In related news, the world's largest photovoltaic system will be built, not on the roofs of Priuses, but on the ground of Nevada, and will provide clean energy for the US military."
I know there is a crapload of solar energy bombarding our planet every day, but isn't there some point where the amount of solar energy that we intercept for our own use causes problems with our environment. Trees and plants depend on solar energy for their sustenance, so it is obvious we shouldn't put solar collectors above them and block out their light. But there is also the issue of solar energy heating our atmosphere and the ground. Solar energy is the driving force behind our weather. At some point, and that point probably doesn't have to be very high, we would likely see some disturbing side effects of using this energy.
I dont see going from gasoline to solar as going from fossil fuel to free energy. I see it as going from running on the battery to running on the alternator juice that is supposed to be powering up the battery.
If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
Well currently, the hybrids aren't geared to superficial people. They're geared towards early adopters and greens. But your bit about performance is bunk. The Honda Accord hybrid is one of the fastest sedans out there.
Thus these hybrids need more grunt in their exhaust. Who wants a silent car? We want a car with a soundtrack to be noticed by.
If by we you mean 16 year old dateless wonders, then sure. Most of the rest of the world wants as silent of a car as they can find, which is why the vast majority of new cars are completely silent. Of course perception does matter, and the reality is that many of the people who buy pure hybrids do so because of the image...that image being an Earth conscious green.
It's only wrong because YOU think it's wrong. That's the beauty of a free society, you can think that and I can think you full of shit.
At 0, or any low rpm, the electric motors in a hybrid will easily have enough torque that tire traction will be the limiting factor on acceleration (even if you put big sticky race car tires on). Their controllers are programmed for efficiency, because hybrid buyers are gennerally uniterested in pointlessly screaming away to the next stoplight. Gasoline engines just don't function at all at 0 rpm, and don't function efficiently at low revs; so they must rely on slippy clutches to get moving from a stop, and they must be made much larger and less efficient than otherwise to get decent acceleration.
"And for all those others out there reading this, no, I don't think it was an impressive feat"
Yet you did it, and proudly recounted the experience here. Don't be so humble. You did it. You pulled out your wallet, and bought a big inneficient engine, and you pull it out and pay too much for gas. Go ahead man, be proud.