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| Hanergy Solar A |
Hanergy Holding Group, a Chinese firm known as one of the largest manufacturers of thin-film solar cells has launched four solar-powered electric concept cars set for production in three years. It is also the owner of US based Alta Devices whose AnyLight technology forms the basis for the technology used in the solar panels that cover the Hanergy cars.
The big distinguishing feature of the solar panels used for these vehicles is their relatively high conversion rate - how much solar energy is actually converted by the photovoltaic cells to usable electrical energy. The regular home solar panel conversion rate averages 25% compared to Hanergy's 31.6% in their high end cells. They expect their conversion rates to go up to 38% in 2020 and 42% in 2025 which makes a fully-solar powered car feasible in the foreseeable future.
Harnessing power purely from the sun, these solar vehicles, unlike other electric vehicles, get rid of the need for charging points and can run up to 80 kilometres a day with just 6 hours of sunlight.
The four Hanergy vehicles are basically standard electric cars with solar power functioning as an extra source to extend range, like the original Alta Devices concept. The vehicles store energy in lithium ion batteries and can be charged at any charging station. However, Hanergy has added three crucial new inventions to the technology. Firstly, the vehicles are able to drive on solar power alone. The Hanergy Solar A has a combined range (battery + solar panel) of 350 kilometers and a solar-only range of 80 kilometers.
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