Vehicle Systems
Solar Capability
During the day, a solar panel will be available to supplement the batteries. The panel was procured from PowerFilm, and is flexible and weatherproof. It is designed to roll up into the vehicle when not in use. Its location is shown in blue on the image at right.
The solar panel outputs 15.4V at maximum sunlight exposure, with a total power output of approximately 30 watts. It is 23 by 50 inches in size. To match this with the 36V electrical system in the car, a SPV1020 DC-to-DC boost convertor was used. This IC is specifically designed for use with solar panels, and does MPPT (maximum power-point tracking) to get the most power out of the panel that it can at any given time. It can transfer up to 320 watts at a voltage level of 40V.
