The bicycle of the future - what is it? Choosing a solar battery for a bicycle How to make solar panels for an electric bicycle

A real hike has nothing in common with spending the night in hotels, where all the amenities are present. You need to spend the night outdoors - in a tent or under the starry sky. Only such a trip is recognized by a true traveler.

But in nature there is no electricity, and we are seriously dependent on electronic devices - tablets and laptops with their Internet access, maps, and cellular communications.

To solve charging problems, portable solar panels have long been developed that can convert solar energy into electrical energy.

But it was only after the widespread use of electronic devices that these batteries became widely used.

An alternative source of electricity can also be.

Let's look at the types of semiconductors and selection options, and then touch on specific models of solar panels for bicycles.

Types of solar panels

The key component of solar panels is the photocell. It is he who converts solar energy into electricity. There are 2 types of photocell:

• Amorphous;
• Crystal.

An amorphous photocell is a silicon film deposited on a special substrate, while a crystalline photocell is a semiconductor formed on the surface of the crystal.

Both designs have their advantages and disadvantages.

Let's look at the features of each element type to choose the most suitable one.

A solar battery based on an amorphous photocell has a number of advantages:

• Light weight;
• Flexibility;
• Resistant to damage.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the short service life and low performance in contrast to the crystalline analogue. The efficiency of a crystalline photocell is 8-15%, and that of an amorphous one is 6-8%.

It is noteworthy that amorphous batteries gradually fade in the sun, so their efficiency after the first year of operation decreases by about 10%.

But thanks to its flexibility and weight, it is more convenient to take on a trip

Certain models can even be hung on a backpack, and as you ride, the sun falling on your back will charge the battery.

But when choosing this type of device, you should look at the material from which the substrate for the photocell is made.

If cardboard is used as a basis, then the first time it rains, the device will fail. It is better to choose a battery with a metal foil backing.

Selection options

In addition to choosing the type of photocell and all the attendant features, it is also necessary to take into account a number of other factors:

• Device weight;
• Power;
• Availability of necessary adapters and cables.

Weight and dimensions

It is important to remember that on a hike you feel any extra kilos, so choose your solar battery for your bike wisely.

The lightest semiconductors are the amorphous type.

By the way, this type of battery is more resistant to mechanical damage, which is especially important when hiking.

However, it is worth considering that light-weight devices do not necessarily have compact dimensions. Sometimes plates with photocells have large area. As mentioned above, you can use a solar battery mounted on a backpack.

Power

One of the most important indicators of a solar battery.

Before purchasing, you need to determine exactly what device you are going to charge and look at its characteristics.

The charger indicates voltage and current.

If the power value is not indicated, you need to multiply the voltage by the current. To charge, you must purchase a solar battery with a power of at least 3W. The output current is marked “OUTPUT”.

Keep in mind that the voltage supplied by the electronic device and the solar battery should be approximately the same.

If these values ​​differ, for example, the device voltage is 3V, and the semiconductor voltage is 5V, it is recommended to buy an adapter so that the device does not burn out when charging.

By the way, while charging solar panels, you cannot connect an electronic device to the battery, as the installation may overheat.

The more power, the faster the charging process and the more possibilities for using batteries. For example, using a device with these characteristics, you can easily charge a laptop.

Make sure that all necessary adapters and cables are included with the battery. If something is missing, purchase it separately.

The larger the charger, the greater its capacity. Therefore, it is capable of delivering more power for charging.

On high quality and longer lasting batteries, the photocells are laminated.

To effectively accumulate solar energy, it is necessary to install photocells in full sun on a clear sunny day.

Since the quality and service life of the device directly depends on the price, do not skimp on a reliable device. Otherwise, the installation may fail you on your first trip.

Models of solar panels

A solar battery for a bicycle is an expensive item, so it is worth purchasing it from trusted manufacturers. The SOLAR device has proven itself well.

It has a fairly compact size and a power of approximately 10 W. The current value is 800 mA.

Such a unit will be convenient and productive on a bike ride, and thanks to its light weight of 1 kg, it will not become a burden for the cyclist.

But for the sake of an expensive smartphone with Internet access, the rider is ready to make even more sacrifices. The cost of models starts from 3 thousand rubles.

Another common model is the SCN-4/6 device. It has a lower performance rating (3.9 W), but its low price and more compact size attract many customers.

Such a device weighs only 300 g and costs about 2,500 rubles.

There are many other options on the solar market that vary in performance, size and cost.

Therefore, everyone can choose the device that is suitable for themselves.

Since the first solar cells were created, researchers have been looking for ways to use this type of technology in transportation. The idea of ​​integrating solar panels into bicycle wheels isn't new, but it seems like the technology has evolved well enough that it's actually easy and convenient to use for mass consumption.

They are also quite efficient for charging modern batteries and powering modern electric motors.

It is these achievements that should distinguish the “solar” bicycle as one of the most ingenious inventions of recent times. And designed by Jasper Froutik, the environmentally friendly two-wheeled vehicle, has already received an award as an invention that improves life. Danish non-profit organization. Index Design, working towards the development of projects created to improve the lives of people around the world, both in developed and developing countries, has deservedly appreciated the Danish engineer’s desire to create environmentally friendly transport.

In addition to solar panels, the bicycle has batteries and an electric motor. The batteries are charged using solar energy, which makes recharging the batteries free, and there is also no need to search for sockets.

Judging by the video, the electric motor works as an auxiliary unit, since the bike has a classic pedal drive, which the brave tester tirelessly uses throughout the test rides. Although, as the creator of the bicycle says, you can travel up to 70 km on electric power without additional recharging.

The speed can be adjusted from the usual 25 km/h to a maximum of 50 km/h.

When the Solar Bike is stationary, solar energy powers the batteries; when it is in motion, the solar cells and battery power the electric motor.

Of course, some questions remain unanswered. Such as how long it takes for this bike to fully charge its batteries from the sun, how much it will cost and whether this sample will go into production.

Solar energy is slowly but surely covering all areas of human life. Today, solar panels are used for space heating, in the chemical industry, for lighting industrial and residential buildings, and in the automotive industry. Now they've come to bicycles. It would seem that the bicycle was invented many years ago, what could change about it?! But no, scientists decided to modify this vehicle, which is familiar to absolutely everyone. As a result, we received a new means of transportation - a solar-powered bicycle. Although the name solar velomobile would be more suitable for it.

This the new kind transport appeared relatively recently, about 8-10 years ago. But it has already earned enormous popularity among all bicycle lovers. But this is not surprising. After all, a solar velomobile allows you to move at a higher speed than a regular bicycle. And you have to spend much less effort.

Pioneers in the development of solar-powered velomobiles

According to Canadian entrepreneur Peter Sandler, he and his company have developed the first bicycle that can operate using only solar energy. The developers built the panels necessary to accumulate sunlight into the wheels. Their area was sufficient for a cyclist to reach speeds of up to 30 km/h. During inclement weather or evening time You can also recharge the battery from a regular network. The electric motor that powers the bike is mounted on the front wheel. Its power is 500 W, and the weight of the electric vehicle is 34 kilograms.

Another model of a bicycle powered by solar energy was developed by British designer Miroslav Milzevic (click on the picture to enlarge). But he didn’t build solar panels into the wheels, like Peter Sandler, but placed them on the arched roof of the concept.

The maximum speed of the Cycle Sol velomobile, the name given to it by the designer, is 24 km/h. On one battery charge you can travel about 50 kilometers.

One Burmese resident, Aung Pi, also distinguished himself. He assembled his own bicycle, which also runs on solar panels. For Myanmar, this is truly a necessary thing, because gasoline is too expensive, so almost all residents travel exclusively on bicycles.

The Solar Bike Fujin velomobile, developed by the Japanese company Hama Zero, can be considered the most advanced in its characteristics. Manufacturers placed solar panels on the trunk of a vehicle. His maximum speed is 72 km/h, and it can travel up to 220 km on a single battery charge. Impressive numbers!

Among the latest new products, “Elf” especially stands out; its development belongs to the Kickstarter community. It is difficult to call it a bicycle in its pure form; rather, it is a hybrid of a car and a bicycle. At the core it's still the same tricycle, but still there is already some kind of protection for the driver from bad weather and, naturally, the amount of muscle energy consumed is significantly reduced.

The maximum speed is about 13.5 m/s when the engine is fully charged. The peculiarity of the Elf is that its design allows you not to pedal at all. You can choose a driving mode using only the power of the engines, only using the pedals, or combine them. The announced cost of the velomobile is $4 thousand.

An equally interesting development belongs to the Japanese. In 2010, Sanyo Electric in Tokyo opened 2 parking lots designed to recharge Eneloop velomobiles from solar panels and designed for 100 vehicles. The solar panels placed on the roof were manufactured by Sanyo Smart Energy Systems using their own technology.

Does a solar velomobile make sense?

There are many reasons why solar velomobiles are the future. Here are the main ones:

1. Speed ​​of movement. Using an electric motor powered by solar panels, we add speed to an ordinary bicycle. With it, you can travel further distances than before, and your average speed movement will be 20-25 km/h.
2. Reduced effort. When moving on a velomobile, you get much less tired, since most of your work is done by the electric motor.
3. Environmental protection. Since the energy source is absolutely pure solar energy, it’s not even worth talking about harmful emissions.

The most important proof that solar bicycles are the future can be considered the journey of the Belgian Guillaume Brouil. Using a velomobile powered by solar energy, he was able to travel from Brussels to Astana. During his 60-day journey, he visited 14 countries and covered more than 10 thousand kilometers.

The Belgian assembled his velomobile himself. It took him about 2 years to develop this. The design of the vehicle allows its driver to drive at speeds of up to 50 km/h; a distance of 100 kilometers or more can be covered in a day. In order to set the bicycle in motion, both human power and energy generated by solar panels are required. With his action, Guillaume wanted to remind the public about protecting our environment and encourage the use of solar energy.

The article was prepared by Abdullina Regina

In addition, a short story about a three-month bike ride from the French city of Chambery to Kazakhstan:

The most economical transport is definitely a bicycle. It is mobile, lightweight, accessible. Everything seems fine, if not for one “but” - you need to pedal, and this is not easy if the path is long, and even with frequent climbs.

An unexpected solution came to the minds of Danish designers. They created a bicycle with solar panels built into the wheels. It is enough to keep the bike in the sun for several hours to travel eighty kilometers without recharging. If the battery suddenly runs out, you can get to the place the old fashioned way by pedaling. Bicycles are no longer new on the streets of Copenhagen. Note that the city is not the sunniest. And if the new product works there as a full-fledged bicycle, then it can become an indispensable vehicle for residents of, for example, Sochi, Egypt or Italy.

The Solarbike bicycle, powered by solar energy, reaches an optimal speed of twenty-five kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of fifty. In this case, you don’t need to bother yourself with pedaling. If such efforts are made, then you can even drive at a “crazy” speed of sixty or more kilometers per hour.

The inventor of the bicycle of the future is Danish resident Jesper Frausig. But so far there is no data on whether his project will receive commercial implementation, just as its price is unknown if mass production is started, about which they are still silent. But the idea itself is amazing.

What’s attractive about the new gadget is that it doesn’t need charging (traditional) and doesn’t require battery replacement. The bike's design "optimizes shade" so that the solar panels built into both sides of the bike's wheels receive enough light to propel the bike.

The energy accumulated while the bike is stopped is stored in the battery and can be used to power the electric motor. The power reserve of the unusual vehicle is seventy-nine kilometers.

The developers claim that even in cloudy weather, a solar-powered bicycle can travel short distances. Well, when the energy runs out, you will have to resort to muscular strength.

A great future is predicted for the electric bicycle, since all that is required for a pleasant walk is a sunny day. No network connections, no wires or charging required. A ride on a Solarbike will be free in the full sense because it is charged by our luminary. In the dark, of course, it “turns” into an ordinary bicycle.

Variants of solar-powered bicycles invented in different countries

Development of the model lasted three years. After finalizing the design of the prototype, which became more stylish, the bike was even nominated for one of the design awards. This is great, but Russian consumers are very interested in when it will go on sale so that they can personally identify its advantages and disadvantages.

Denmark

The Danish man is not alone in his desire to use solar energy in his bicycle. An unusual concept was proposed by Turkish designer Mojtaba Raeisi. His bicycle also has solar panels built into the wheels, but they can change their position in the plane so as to always remain facing the sun.

Türkiye

Another student, but this time from Turkey (Anatolian province of Konya), came up with the same idea - to create a bicycle that would not depend on electricity and would solve the problem of traffic congestion. He invented it. The bicycle can travel at a speed of 35 km/h using stored solar energy. The distance that it can travel without recharging is forty kilometers. It took him six months. The newfangled invention cost him $387 (one thousand Turkish liras). But, with mass production, the cost can be reduced by half.

He considers the advantages of his invention to be light weight, which is 60 kg. The inventor is working to increase the distance traveled without recharging.

Russia

Russian inventors are also thinking about the future. Perhaps a bicycle designed in Volgograd seems very unusual to many, but it may well take its rightful place among vehicles in the future. The idea of ​​​​combining a solar battery with a bicycle came to the mind of an associate professor at the Kamyshensky Institute of Technology.

It remained an idea for more than ten years, until a third-year student was found who brought together like-minded people who began to implement it. They created a solar-powered tricycle. They came up with a loud name for the bicycle - "Helios", which means “solar deity” in translation from ancient Greek. The sun provides all the energy for the new development, which moves at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour, covering fully charged 130 kilometers of travel.

The hybrid does not require recharging from the mains at all. However, it turned out to be quite bulky - the bike weighs almost one hundred kilograms. Inventors are working today to reduce it and lighten the solar panel and frame to make it more practical. On the other hand, even people with disabilities can ride a new three-wheeled product. And this is, of course, its big plus. In May next year they plan to complete this work, so perhaps Russian cyclists will wait for a domestic solar-powered bicycle faster than a Turkish one or the one developed in Denmark. So far, according to the designers, its price may be fifty four thousand rubles .

So now think about it, is it such a useless exercise to “reinvent the wheel”?

An electric bicycle can operate not only on battery life, but also on a solar battery, which constantly recharges the battery and prevents it from running out. Another option is to take a solar battery with you on the road as luggage and charge the batteries at a rest stop in 3-4 hours.

Solar panels and chargers may have been purchased from this store.

In a bicycle equipped with a solar battery, the cycling range of the bicycle is maximized, and on cloudless days it is practically unlimited. To equip a bicycle with a solar battery, you will need about 10,000 - 18,000 rubles, depending on the required power and riding speed. There is one drawback that limits the use of solar generators - they are quite bulky for the current and voltage required to power a bicycle. On the other hand, designers use this disadvantage as an advantage: by placing the solar energy receiver above the bicycle, they create a shady shelter for the traveler, and this is very valuable on the road under the scorching sun.

Two passengers

With recharging at rest

Find out what electric motors are used for electric bicycles on our website.

How to make a solar-powered bicycle with your own hands

Sunny Trike.

Travel free with the power of the sun! How to Build a Solar Powered Trike.
The goal of this project is to create a vehicle that:
– provides free “green” transportation, so it should never be plugged into a wall socket or emit any pollutants,
- Exercising at work. - Cheap.
– Simple and does not require special maintenance.
– Draws attention to the practical applications of green energies and promotes alternatives to fossil fuels.
– Reduces excess vehicle wear and air pollution.

Step 1: Buy a bike

Find a light vehicle. Two, three or four wheels will do, depending on how much work you want to do, but the concept is the same. Four-wheeled vehicles may be subject to various laws. Certainly, best bike– the one you already have if you have a three- or four-wheeled pedal-powered bike. In the interest of simplicity, a tricycle was chosen for my project. This Schwinn Meridian Trike cost $250 and was easily available, and the basket allows for easy placement of the batteries and solar panel with minimal fabrication.

The first step was to completely disassemble the bike and paint it bright fern green. This step may be optional, but I felt it was in my case since this is a school project that should grab your attention and let you know that this is a real green car. This is a vehicle that does not use gas and is not plugged into a wall socket, which would defeat this purpose since the electricity from the grid likely comes from a non-renewable energy source. It runs on clean solar energy.

Before painting the frame, I used this step as an opportunity to reinforce the frame where the batteries were assembled. Lead-acid batteries are heavy, but they are relatively cheap.
One tube was welded to distribute the load over four points on the axle holder instead of two. It also ties the rear subframe together, making the tube the load bearer rather than welds, which can eventually lead to fatigue and failure.
High pressure pipes were fitted and the Trike was carefully assembled to minimize rolling resistance.

A battery holder is made and bolts are welded to the basket, which will be used as studs to secure the battery, making removal easier. 12V LEDs were inserted into the reflectors and wired as brake lights through the brake levers, which shut off the engine when braking. They are connected to only one of three 12-volt batteries.

Step 2: Transmission/Chassis

The powertrain consists of your electrical system and the electric motor. The Electric Hub Motor Kit costs $259 and consists of a front wheel with a built-in 36-volt brushless motor, as well as necessary components such as a twist-grip throttle, brake levers that are wired to cut off power to the motor, a battery level indicator, and a speed controller. motor, 36V charger and battery pack connector.

Installing the motor requires simply replacing the front wheels and running the wires back to the controller, which will be mounted under the rear basket. Slack must be left in the wires around the head tube/fork junction so that they do not become strained even at maximum steering angle. The grips and brake levers have been replaced with new ones and their wires have also been routed back to the controller.
Choosing the right battery is a trade-off between price, weight and range versus charging time. A lot of money can be spent on batteries, but since I was on a budget, I had to take what I could get. I took a multimeter and found 3 batteries for $20 each and it worked fine so far. (3) -12 volt, 20 amp/hour batteries run in series to make 36 volts. 20Ah provides greater range, the trade-off is longer charging times. A kill switch has been added so the driver does not have to disconnect the battery to shut down the electrical system.

Step 3: Charging System/Solar Panels

Solar panels need to be as large as possible to maximize available power, but they also need to provide the correct voltage. Solar panels produce a range of voltages that peak and fall, but the voltage rating of the panel is what matters in choosing the right charge controller. I bought brand 3 Q-cell monocrystalline solar panels that I found on Ebay for $110 each. They output 21.8 volts peak and 17 volts nominal for a power rating of about 1.2 A. With three panels in series, that's about 66 volts and 51 volts nominal, much more than the 42 volts needed to charge the batteries. a basket was added to the front to accommodate a third solar panel.
From Ohm's law, power (P) equals voltage (V) times current (I), (P = V * I), so the panels output ((17 Volts * 3) * 1.2 A) = 61.2 Watts rated and more than 80 W. Watt peak. A maximum power tracking (MPPT) charge controller tricks the panels into hiding the load on the battery from them and allowing them to operate at maximum power when conditions allow.

The charge controller basically takes AC voltage/current from the solar panel array and converts it to DC voltage (42V) or current to optimize charging of the 36V source. The maximum input voltage to the controller is 100 Volts, so a 66 Volt peak will not harm the controller. The controller has a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) type that charges faster when more sunlight is available rather than at a set rate like most controllers do.

In order to charge the batteries in practical time, they should charge about as fast or faster than the included 110V wall outlet for a 36V charger/converter, which charges at 1.5A. At 1.2 panel amps don't achieve this, but with an MPPT controller it takes about the same amount of time to charge. The bike is stored in a place where the sun shines for a few hours each day (where I live the sun is pretty reliable), allowing the batteries to be fully charged and ready to go when needed.

And for those of you wondering, the electric motor draws up to 20 amps, and the 1.2+ amps added by the solar panels do not speed it up, since the 1.2 amps are routed through the controller and only serve to charge the batteries. The motor speed controller doesn't see this extra amperage, and outputs the same as without the panels, except the batteries will stay charged a little longer (extending the range) with a net drain of (20-1.2)A = 18 ,8A, not 20A without panels. At takeoff, the engine only draws 20 amps, so at cruising speed the thrust is significantly less. The engine speed controller cuts off the voltage at 32V to keep the batteries from going below 10.5V, but I monitor the voltage and try not to drain the batteries below 36V.

Step 4: Solar Panels

Now you need to figure out how you are going to mount the panels on your bike. The hinges were welded to the baskets to hold the panels and allow them to tilt to access the basket, with rubber clamps on the other side to keep them from opening while riding.
Once all your wires are routed and zipped up, your batteries and panels are secure, double check each item and you're ready to go.

Performance:
The solar-powered trike goes up to 15-18 mph depending on the rider's weight. From there I rode just over 10 miles with some hills and some pedaling and the battery indicator still read full (green) at the end of the ride.
At 10 miles the voltage drops to approximately 36V, which is safely above the controller cut-out voltage. As long as the batteries don't discharge too low, the panels take about the same amount of time as the charger, since both the charger and the solar charge controller charge at a constant rate. When charging with constant power, power (P) and Ohm's law (P = V * I), the charging current decreases with increasing voltage as the batteries approach a fully charged state.

This means that if you prevent the voltage drop from getting too low, the panels will supply enough current to match the charging rate of the plug-in charger, but if it drops below a certain point, the panels will charge more slowly. This is easy to avoid as my normal driving range is about 3 miles or less, half a day at most, so low voltage is not an issue.
Cost distribution:
Total $ 910,00