Solar powered 2013 Chevy Volt

[Flynns_Light_Runner]

So here is an example of clean driving. I DIY installed a solar array with enough capacity to cover my house and charge my Volt two times a day just over a year ago.

We bought our Volt mid Feb 2013. We have driven 23,746 EV miles saving buying 1,107 gallons of gas. lifetime MPG 201. You do the math 1,107 X cost of gas= good savings


It looks like a lot more people are charging their cars with solar. What a great combination.

“A recent survey found that 32 percent of electric vehicle (EV) owners in the western U.S. have solar panels on their homes.”

This Is Why It Makes Sense to Pair Solar With Electric Vehicles : Greentech Media


I found this interesting but not really surprising. I like leafs and they are perfect for some drivers.
But having built in backup power is really useful.

The mystery of the Chevy Volts that go more electric miles than Nissan Leafs
http://green.autoblog.com/2013/11/24/when-chevy-volts-go-more-electric-miles-than-nissan-leafs/
This is very cool news.

Just thought I would add my experience with my Volt. They car is fun to drive on top of all the savings.
28,741 total miles (EV and gas miles) so far and we have not needed one oil change yet. This also adds up in the savings.

[Colinerskine519]

If I owned a house I would do solar to charge my Volt.

[GasSavers_gashog]

hay is there anybody that has added solar to there car that can charge or add power going down the road and sitting in the parking lot at work?

[trollbait]

Someone did put PV on a gen1 Prius, and a recent article was out for a converted classic VW van with a system.

It just isn't worthwhile for the gains. In order not to be an aerodynamic drag, the panel needs to be installed flat, which reduces its efficiency. The power it generates results in a tiny improvement to hybrid MPG, and there will soon be affordable long range BEVs with 150+ mile ranges. Then, when the car's battery is full, the PV's potential is wasted.

Better to put them on the house where they'll reduce your electric usage, or make you some coin adding power to the grid, whenever the panel can make power

[Draigflag]

I believe the leaf has a small panel on the roof, that aids the use of the electronics in the car, therefore less battery usage. It's too small to be considered as a way to top the battery up, but in the near future I can imagine panels being the entire roof length and possibly on the doors/bonnet and tailgate for when the sun is at certain angles. Maybe then if you went away for a holiday and left it on your driveway during summer, you might have a full charge when you get home!