Idea: Solar panels for Singapore's buses?
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So i was sitting on a double decker bus today and it was very hot outside with strong sunlight. So it got me thinking, why not put solar panels on the roof of buses? Especially double decker ones since they are taller and hence recieves more sunlight. The energy can stored in a battery pack on the bus and be used to power electrical systems like EZ link card reader, LED displays, or the lights at night. Good idea?
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not bad but someone gotta bear the costs
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The public transportation is run under the model of milking maximum profit at zero cost.
The cable tie instead of a replacement for better design is the vision forward.
They will not expend additional cost for the benefit of environment or effort in reducing the bus fares.
Every one from the top to the bottom are greedy and more greedy.
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What's the point of generating extra electrical power? Electricity on vehicles is generated as long as the engine is running, by an alternator that adds some load to the engine. As long as the engine is running, the battery is at 100% capacity and any unused power is wasted. The panels will never generate enough to disengage the alternator.
Singapore is a dusty place, more so the roads. Unless you clean the panels often, their efficiency will be very low.
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Excess power is generated to keep the battery at 100% so you can start the engine the next time you drive.
And there are branches brushing on the double deckers tops all the time. And the guys who apply the advertisement decals may walk on top.
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this idea can be used on ocean going ships though
the power generated can save some fuel
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Got 1 SBS Transit bus with Solar panels on the roof, 2 small ones.
SBS2652G.
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if installing & maintaining solar panels on buses proves to be cost efficient to the bus operators, why not? Maybe should consider installing some solar panels at the bus depots first? Solar panels to power the depot's street lights, workshops, etc?
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Solar panels on all bus stops is better
Batteries can be used to store the power generated and taken away for other uses
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I think Singapore is too dusty. Even if we pay a PRC $1000 a month to wipe it, how many sq meters of panel do we need to save $1000? I doubt it's an amount he can wipe finish. It works in hot, dry countries though.
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why would a double decker bus receive more sunlight? nearer to the Sun?
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Originally posted by sinicker:
why would a double decker bus receive more sunlight? nearer to the Sun?
not effective as u will sacrifice space and weight to store the batteries as well...
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Originally posted by sinicker:
why would a double decker bus receive more sunlight? nearer to the Sun?
No difference
Actually installing it on SD is better cause they also need to install batteries...
If install on DD, the battery box might just drop off from hitting the roof of a bus stop...
Thats why you see the roofs of newer DD. Clean and reflective red -
Originally posted by TIB1234T:
Got 1 SBS Transit bus with Solar panels on the roof, 2 small ones.
SBS2652G.
What service it is on now? -
Originally posted by alize:
What's the point of generating extra electrical power? Electricity on vehicles is generated as long as the engine is running, by an alternator that adds some load to the engine. As long as the engine is running, the battery is at 100% capacity and any unused power is wasted. The panels will never generate enough to disengage the alternator.
Singapore is a dusty place, more so the roads. Unless you clean the panels often, their efficiency will be very low.
+1to add on, installation of solar panel isn't cheap...
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Originally posted by vicamour:
What service it is on now?43. Transferred from ARBP to HGDEP.
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Originally posted by alize:
What's the point of generating extra electrical power? Electricity on vehicles is generated as long as the engine is running, by an alternator that adds some load to the engine. As long as the engine is running, the battery is at 100% capacity and any unused power is wasted. The panels will never generate enough to disengage the alternator.
Singapore is a dusty place, more so the roads. Unless you clean the panels often, their efficiency will be very low.
agree