Are Solar Cars the Future of Automobiles?

When it comes to the developments made in renewable energy, most homeowners are currently much more concerned about using solar financing to facilitate solar panel installations than buying a solar-powered car. But new research and developments continue to be made in this area with the intent that one day, it won’t just be homes that get their power from environmentally-friendly sources. 

One example in this regard is the upcoming World Solar Challenge, a racing competition that will be held later this October in Australia. During the event, approximately 50 teams will race vehicles across the Australian Outback. The catch: each and every automobile in the race must operate via solar power.

And while racing across a vast desert seems like an easy place for such cars to generate energy, as many involved with solar financing and renewable energy know quite well, hot temperatures don’t always translate to great results. LiveScience reports that in past years, vehicles have suffered from not being able to withstand the excessive heat. Some cars even had solar panels fracture as a result of the extreme temperatures. 

Of course, whenever solar-powered cars move from experimental raceways to the commercial market, it’s unlikely that they will be regularly used in such conditions—and as a result, many programs working on designing such vehicles are focused on producing cars that can not only run off solar power, but also be practical for everyday drivers and their families. 

The impact of such vehicles on the road can hardly be ignored. After all, one of the biggest contributors to global pollution is the large number of pollution-producing vehicles around the world. Even with initiatives promoting the use of public transportation, bicycling and carpooling, millions of cars are on the road every day in the United States alone. Replacing gas-guzzlers with solar-powered cars (or electric cars in general) may require a lot of work (as well as financing assistance for some customers) to become a reality, but it has a huge potential environmental impact.

It is unlikely that the roads will be flooded with solar-powered cars anytime soon, even though electric vehicles are gradually becoming more widespread. But with more financing options being made available than ever before, families across the nation can already do their part to help the environment by installing solar panels on their homes. These may seem like small steps, but the more that is done, the greater impact that can be made to help the environment.

Kevin Johnson is a renewable energy writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Elements Capital Group. Follow on Twitter