Obiettivo To demonstrate that a monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic array, about the size of a typical garage roof (20 m2), could supply a large fraction of the energy needed to charge the conventional lead acid batteries of an electric car which is driven over a distance of 40 Km per day (typical for an average car).The array of 96 modules (each 19 Wp) was nominally rated at 1,824 Wp, and the car was rated with a range of 70 Km, on the basis of a battery capacity of 17.76 KWh.The cost of the modules was foreseen at 10 Ecu/Wp and the installed PV generator cost at 14 Ecu/Wp. In estimating the unit electricity price, a 15% rate of return and a 10% efficiency was used, giving a predicted price of 2.1 Ecu/KWh.During a 2-month test period in July and August 1983, when the weather was better than average, the PV array provided sufficient energy for an average daily range of only 14 km. This fell far short of the aim of the demonstration. The main reason for this was the poor condition of the batteries, which consumed 0.35 KWh/km instead of the expected 0.25 KWh/km.The array output was also lower than expected at 1.54 KWp instead of 1.8 KWp. This was due partly to mismatch between the modules and partly to the lack of temperature corrections in the performance predictions.The PGE 5P electric car, the only type officially approved by the Belgian authorities for use on public highways, proved to be unreliable and to have a range of only about 30 km instead of the claimed 70 km. In contrast, despite considerable delays in manufacturing the cells and modules, the reliability of the PV array has been excellent so far.A future market for electric cars using solar energy in favourable climates can be foreseen but it will depend on the development of a reliable, high performance car and reductions in PV system costs to 4 or 5 Ecu/Wp in order to compete with diesel power.This project was envisaged as an early demonstration of the technical feasibility of providing power to an electric car by means of photovoltaic modules. It was foreseen that the costs of PV modules would soon become lower and that in the long term this application might become economically attractive.A 1.8 KWp photovoltaic array, mounted on a metallic support structure was used to charge the batteries of an Italian PGE 5P, electric car. The car was used every evening for journeys between the University and downtown Leuven, in Belgium.The PV array consisted of 96 modules of 19 Wp each, which were manufactured by the University's ESAT laboratory. The laboratory produced the photovoltaic cells using their specially developed screen printing technique. The PV array was used with back-up grid electricity to charge the batteries at a constant current. Charging was carried out in accordance with a prescribed voltage-time ramp, and the charging period was 10 hours from 8 am to 6 pm. The state of charge was determined from the battery voltage.The costs of the PV equipment were similar to those envisaged at the planning stage, at approximately 10 Ecu/Wp for modules, 3 Ecu/Wp for framing and mountings, and 1 Ecu/Wp for controls. The battery costs were approximately 10 Kecu and the car itself approximately 16 Kecu.The contractors envisage that with mass production the PV system costs may fall to approximately 4.5 Ecu/Wp, and reductions in the costs of electric cars may also be anticipated.The system was monitored using a digital system. Global irradiation on the horizontal, and on the plane of the array, the array voltage, and the power supplied to the battery by the array were monitored continuously. A desk top computer (HP 9826) integrated the data and stored average values every 15 minutes. These data were used to determine the operating efficiency of the PV system and the car. Programma(i) ENG-ENALT 1C - Programme (EEC) of financial support for projects to exploit alternative energy sources, 1979-1984 Argomento(i) 3.5 - PHOTOVOLTAIC Invito a presentare proposte Data not available Meccanismo di finanziamento DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinatore KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN Contributo UE Nessun dato Indirizzo AFD. ESAT KARDINAAL MERCIERLAAN 3030 Heverlee Belgio Mostra sulla mappa Costo totale Nessun dato
