Solar photovoltaics from Becosolar have been used to power an old landcruiser taking part in a 25,000-mile journey from London to Cape Town to raise money for SolarAid.
Ancillary mechanisms on vehicles such as air conditioning, power steering and electricity can use up to 30% of the engine's power. Solar has been used to power the assisted steering and the cooling fan, as well as additional items needed for the trip such as an air compressor for the tyres, LED and mosquito lights, mobile phones and laptops, the car stereo, cameras and the solar powered kettle.
By installing the solar for ancillary equipment the landcruiser saved about 4% on fuel consumption. Over 22,000 miles so far the solar panels saved 358 litres of fuel and nearly a tonne of CO2 , the equivalent to a flight from London to Nairobi and approximately the amount needed to heat an average detached home by gas for a month.
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