Effective Energy Conversion Design for an Electric Vehicle Integrating Solar Energy with an Effective Braking System: A Case Study in Nicosia

This study focuses on the incorporation of solar photovoltaics (PV) energy into an electric vehicle that is entirely powered by solar PV panels fixed to its horizontal surfaces. Because solar cars reduce reliance on fossil fuels, they help to reduce consumption of currently renewable energy sources. The automotive industry will be dominated by solar-powered vehicles in the future because they are highly realizable, easy to construct, incredibly user-friendly, and require less maintenance than other conventional vehicles. Economical and environmentally friendly features are additional benefits of solar vehicles. A travel survey has been done to study the energy consumption required for the research. The design was therefore based on the correspondence feedback at a particular location in Cyprus. Solar energy for the Nicosia location region was considered as input into the simulation design, while the energy and power required to move the vehicle was mathematically modelled. To further add to the powertrain in driving the car, the integration of antilocking and regenerative braking system were being designed to further move the vehicle for longer range and provide additional energy to the vehicle. It is also considered that the vehicle can choose what braking system is needed to obtain the required braking torque energy. The integration of both sources of energy, that is the solar energy and braking energy further produced enough power required in driving the vehicle as designed from the mathematical model.