<p> Integrating solar energy into the electric vehicle (EV) market alleviates the demand for</p>
<p>fossil fuels used to generate the electricity used to power these vehicles. Integrated solar panels</p>
<p>provide a new method of power generation for an electric vehicle, but researchers must consider</p>
<p>new dependent variables such as drag in the figure of vehicle efficiency. For the solar array to be</p>
<p>deemed a viable option for power generation, the solar array must generate enough energy to</p>
<p>overcome the added weight and aerodynamic drag forces the solar system introduces. The thesis</p>
<p>explores the application of photovoltaic modules for power generation in an EV system.</p>
<p>Researchers installed an off-the-shelf solar module on the roof of an EV and investigated the</p>
<p>system to explore the efficiency tradeoffs. The research sought to identify an optimized solar</p>
<p>panel configuration for minimized drag based on maximized panel surface irradiance, cooling,</p>
<p>and array output voltage parameters. The study utilized computational fluid dynamics modeling,</p>
<p>wind tunnel testing, and full-scale track testing to analyze the system. The results of this study</p>
<p>provide an optimized configuration for a Renogy RNG-100D atop a Chevrolet Bolt. The system</p>
<p>was considered optimal at a tilt angle of zero degrees when in motion. The performance benefits</p>
<p>due to the increased angle of the solar panel tilt were deemed insufficient in overcoming the</p>
<p>aerodynamic drag forces introduced into the system while in motion.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:purdue.edu/oai:figshare.com:article/22684867 |
| Date | 26 April 2023 |
| Creators | Joseph L Fraseur (15347272) |
| Source Sets | Purdue University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis |
| Rights | CC BY 4.0 |
| Relation | https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/OPTIMIZATION_OF_ONBOARDSOLAR_PANELGEOMETRYFOR_POWERING_AN_ELECTRIC_VEHICLE/22684867 |
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