Abstract
Solar energy is a regenerative and clean source of energy. In Makkah city (21.4 degrees N), the solar radiation is relatively high along the year; it is more than 5 KWh/m(2) a day and it is high enough to be efficiently used. On the other hand, due to high pollution and traffic in "MASHAER" region in Makkah where pilgrimage is developed, a solar vehicle can be considered as smart solution for these problems. Therefore, a gasoline engine is replaced by an electrical drive motor in an old (second hand) vehicle, cargo car. The energy required for this motor is converted from the solar energy to electric power through the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules those produce energy by absorbing incoming sunlight. Then it is stored in batteries that feed the motor by needed energy. Therefore, the vehicle transmission mechanism includes electrical motor with variable speed controller that rotates the vehicle wheels by a chain drive. A simple brake system is installed to control the vehicle speed. The size of photovoltaic cells is determined based on the motor power and volt. It is found that 4 m(2) PV panel area is enough to feed the car by needed power. Moreover, 6 batteries are seemed enough to move the car for about 6 h daily. The vehicle is efficiently tested carrying six passengers for about 8 h continuously working under different operating and weather conditions. Moreover, a numerical simulation was developed for the solar vehicle system to visualize the annual performance of the system. A mathematical model of the photovoltaic cells, batteries, and controller were established. Annual measured data of Makkah city is used as input parameters to the numerical simulation. The system efficiency is investigated along the year demonstrating a successful utilization of solar energy in that sector. It is found that the considered PV array can move the vehicle for less than 2 h a day in average. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics, [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4717512]