Energy Performances Analysis of a Solar Electric Car in Togo

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa the cost of transport is very expensive for the populations. As the car fleet is mainly made up of thermal cars, the high cost of transport is largely linked to the oil’s import. Faced with such a situation, it is important to find other means of transport in order to reduce the transport’s cost for the populations. One of the means of transport which seems to be an alternative solution is the solar electric car. But the difficulty for the solar electric car is its range. To improve car's range, it is necessary to analyze the performance of the car in driving conditions in order to understand the parameters that influence the range. Understanding and mastering these parameters will make it possible to make the best decisions to improve the car's range. In this article, we are interested in analyzing the energy performances of a solar electric car in Togo in order to understand the parameters that influence the car’s range. The simulation results show a considerable reduction in the car's range for high driving speeds, for excessive consumption of the auxiliary electrical circuits of the car, for driving the vehicle on a large slope, and when the car is transporting a large weight. The solar panel on the roof of the car is of great importance because it makes a significant contribution to the car’s range in sunny periods.