sun bike

sun bike

Photovoltaic panels and bicycles are proving to be a great "tandem" for a more ecologically sustainable mobility vehicle, which, although it depends on electricity, is obtained through renewable energies. The design of the sun bike with solar panels is experiencing a boom, although they are still quite rare. The goal is for them to serve as a mid-range alternative to a car or motorcycle that traditional bikes can't deliver. In this case, the curious thing is that it does not generate electricity with the pedals, but rather so as not to have to.

In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the solar bicycle, its characteristics and usefulness.

sun bike

solar powered bike

It doesn't have much of a mystery either. A solar bike is similar to any conventional bike, except that it has a solar panel system on the wheels that captures the sun's rays and converts them into energy. In this way, the solar bicycle can have its own autonomy and greatly reduce the effort that the user has to make to move around on it. But do solar bikes already exist? Is there a similar one available on the market? The truth is the offer is not very rich, in fact there are few models, but it is undoubtedly a winning option, especially in the municipalities of large cities, where they are mainly used as tourist transport. Let's take a look at some of the funniest solar bike models we've found online.

One of the examples of solar bicycles already on the market is the EV Sunny Bicycle, which not only looks like a real professional bicycle, but also has the novelty of being 100% powered by solar energy. The solar panels are located on the wheels, and the energy produced is stored in the battery to power the 500-watt motor responsible for reaching a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. The only drawback is that it weighs 34kg, which makes shipping a bit of a hassle. But if someone thinks that for complex climbs we have small solar engines, then don't worry.

It works in just 10 minutes in the sun. Another type of solar bicycle that is currently having success on the internet is the so-called solar bicycle. This is an invention developed and finally completed by Dane Jesper Frausing over a period of 3 years. It is a bicycle powered by solar energy capable of reaching speeds of 25 to 50 km/h. It can be charged during the day, making the cyclist's job easier. It has a range of about 70 kilometers, more than enough to ride a bike. You can see a video of this solar powered bike at the end of the article.

Turn ordinary bikes into solar powered bikes

solar panels on wheels

There are also accessories that, although they surprise us, are capable of turning a conventional bicycle into a solar bicycle. That's exactly what Daymak Inc.'s device called the Daymak Drive System, or DDS, does. It is a smart wheel with a 250-watt motor capable of converting supplied power into mechanical power through a lithium battery. A miniature wheel that attaches to the wheel itself and turns it into a solar powered bike. Its maximum autonomy is 36 kilometers.

Different models of solar bicycle

solar bicycle with plates

For example, the Leos Solar is a carbon fiber framed bike with ultra-thin panels integrated into the frame that it can be self-sufficient up to 20 km in assisted mode and close to 16 km if fully used. Basically, the battery accumulates the energy that the panel collects, so as long as there is light, it will charge. On the other hand, if we charge it to the maximum, its 36 V battery can take you 90 or 72 kilometers, depending on the mode.

The Ele Solar Bike was a finalist in the Spark Awards 2013 and another interesting model. It can be used like a regular bike, and in assisted and electric modes, its power supply supports both solar and conventional power. Otherwise, it's a compact design with an adjustable panel instead of a radio.

Bending Cycles, a company from Singapore has created a bicycle, EHITS (Energy Harvesting Intermodal System) capable of generating solar and wind energy thanks to the installation of solar panels in the frame and two wind energy generators in the breaking wheel of the machine. discs.

towards practicality, a bicycle that turns into a solar panel is curious. This is made possible by designer Sencer Ozdemir, whose work is called the Velosphere E-Bike, an electric bike that looks like a mountain bike and easily turns into a panel when parked. This is how it charges, and it does so at full speed because its oval shape is perfect for maximizing the arrival of light without major complications.

In addition to the different models, there are accessories for ordinary bicycles, whose operation can be controlled from a mobile device, such as the gadget that the company Daymak is developing, a system that allows an exposure of one kilometer per hour.

Of course, there is also the option of manufacturing photovoltaic units to charge our e-bikes, especially since the bikes are usually used in good weather, which coincides with the conditions that the panels need for their proper functioning.

But are these bikes eco-friendly?

We talk about bicycles, we talk about solar energy… but in reality they depend on a source of electricity, and although they do not cause pollution, the production, maintenance and replacement of solar panels mean more pollution than conventional bicycles.

However, in urban environments where they can be used, that is, over medium distances, they are more ecological than other alternatives such as public transport or private motor vehicles, whether motorcycles or cars.

In general terms, the efficiency of an electric bicycle is equivalent to about 1.600 kilometers for 5 liters of gasoline, and if you also use solar energy, the green advantage is even greater because it comes from renewable energy sources.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the solar bicycle, its characteristics and usefulness.


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