In an effort to fight climate change, many alternatives have surfaced. Solar panels on buses will help to alleviate climate change by turning sunlight into electricity which charges the bus’s battery without the need to burn fuel. Moreover, it can help save costs by reducing the number of times needed to change its parts.
Benefits of using green energy such as solar panels on buses include reducing diesel consumption and carbon emission. According to Deakin (2020), there are many benefits of installing solar panels on buses such as reducing the load of the alternator as well as saving money for bus companies by using lesser fuel. Solar power is a form of green energy where sunlight radiance will be absorbed and converted to electrical energy, which is then used to charge battery or power appliances meanwhile alternators produce electricity to charge the battery from burning of fuel which releases more than just CO2 into the air. By having solar panels on buses, it can directly charge up the bus battery without the need for an alternator that draws power from the engine by burning fuel. “Solar panels expects to reduce annual fuel use by 1500 liters “
The use of solar panels on buses will improve the lifespan of the battery on board buses and lesser road service and maintenance.“Smart battery-charging technology and an optimal state-of-charge on the battery” will prolong the battery lifespan as a low depth of discharge is better than the high depth of discharge. With reference from a blog on factors that influence battery degradation, it states that “a low DOD is better than a higher one”. With the solar panels constantly providing power to the batteries, this will cause the charging cycle height to be maintained at a low level which results in a longer better life span. As a result of this constant charging of the battery, it reduces the strain on the alternator as much of the power comes from the solar panels, it also prolongs the alternator’s lifespan with results in the reduce the number of maintenances and services.
About 1400litres of fuel can be saved from each bus per year after the installation of solar panels on buses as it reduces the need for the engine to burn fuel to run the alternator to charge the battery.
Power generated by the solar panels is directly used to charge the battery, if not it will have to rely on the vehicle’s alternator. ”This will reduce the load on the bus engine” Concerning an experiment conducted in Southampton in the United Kingdom where 18 buses are fitted with these solar panels where roughly “3 to 4 percent of fuel” can be saved yearly, Kok(2021) stated that buses in Singapore are expected to have better results of the experiment due to the tropical climate throughout the year. ”The panels are expected to help Go-Ahead Singapore save 1400 liters of diesel per bus per year”. Since the battery will be directly charged by power generated by the solar panels, “this will in turn reduce the load on the bus engine.”
It takes a couple of years to recoup the installation and conversion fees as well as higher maintenance costs. Although solar panels on buses can bring many benefits, there are always some downsides and rejections to the idea. Firstly, solar panels are expensive, furthermore, converting buses to allow solar power charging up the battery would cost even more. According to a forum discussion, converting a minibus would cost more than $4000, excluding the conversion fee. With a massive fleet of buses, companies would think twice before executing the change. Also, maintaining the solar panels on buses will be an expensive expense for the bus companies. Secondly, solar panels on buses are not the most efficient way. Many countries are building more tunnels and underground road networks which defeat the purpose of installing solar panels on buses. Moreover, several countries do not receive sunlight for a certain period throughout the year. According to Amber (2014), places such as Alaska and the North-eastern part of the United States might even spend several weeks in total darkness.
Given this reader response, solar panels' benefits outweigh their negative impact. This summary will show you how solar panels help alleviate climate change and the positive impact it has.
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