Shape improvisation of the solar panels on the roof of an electric vehicle

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that bluff body appendages induce augmented drag on a vehicle. Hence, aerodynamic design is inevitable for vehicles for better power and performance. The present work is focused on transforming the present shape of the SCMS School of Engineering and Technology’s solar electric vehicle’s solar roofing from a bluff model to aerodynamic. Computational fluid dynamics studies are carried out on the present shape. The top of the vehicle, housing of the solar panel, is chamfered in steps and a new shape is evolved at ensuring an aerodynamic design. Three different shapes are studied in the present work. The one with minimum drag is suggested for the vehicle. The reduction in the area of the solar panels due to the shape improvisation is compensated for by increasing the surface area to retain the same power input. The proposed new shape is found to reduce the overall drag of the vehicle.