CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM
Introduction
Mans curiosity about nature is unstable as evidenced by the innovation over the
past centuries. In fact, the technology of yesterday is totally different from that of today.
It will continue to change for as long as man exists. Therefore, we have to conserve and
resume our natural resources without replacing them as such act will ultimately kill
mankind. We should also guard nature against the ill effect brought by industrialization.
Technology delivers both comfort and discomfort. In return, we have to use nature in
communal service, not just for individual consumption.
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The way that we live today necessitates traveling long distances whereas
historically all travel was on foot, we are now assisted by cars, boats and trains to get us
from place to place. Our world has shrunk. Low-cost air travel now means that we can be
anywhere in the world affordably within the day, and the car means that we can travel
almost anywhere local by road in a matter of minutes.
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However, one of the greatest problems of the transportation industry is that it
depends heavily on petroleum-based products as a source of energy. The burning of such
fuels causes air pollution. Of equal concern is the fact that petroleum reserves are not
distributed evenly around the world.
By that, scientists and engineers are trying to collect and convert the suns energy
into a usable form. They have found that suns energy can be collected and converted into
heat. This is called thermal conversion. Heat produced by thermal conversion can be used
to make electricity and to warm building and water. It has also become possible to
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convert the suns energy directly into electricity. This is called photovoltaic conversion,
which means using light to make electricity. There are two different devices that can be
used to change sunlight into heat. They are called the flat-plate collector and the
concentrating collector. Flat-plate collector are the simplest type, they can collect all the
sunlight that falls on them. Concentrating collector are more complicated, because they
can collect only the suns direct rays, they must be turned during the day to face the sun.
Such concentrating collectors often use mirrors or lenses to concentrate the sunlight. If
you have ever used a magnifying glass to burn paper, you have used a concentrating
collector.
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Solar energy is the most in demand renewable source of energy nowadays. Not
only for the fact that solar energy is free, but, it also reduces pollution in our environment
which make it most acceptable by the society.
There are now wide arrays of devices and structures powered by solar energy.
Solar powered cars have also risen in prominence as people became more aware of the
several benefits of the renewable resource. You can save thousands of pesos in gas each
month by choosing a solar powered vehicle.
A solar vehicle is defined as an electric vehicle that is powered mainly by solar
energy. The energy is acquired from solar panels on the surface or the top of the vehicle.
Photovoltaic cells (PV) change the energy of the sun straight into electrical energy. Solar
cars are not currently used as day-to-day transportation medium. These are still used in
engineering trials and demonstration practices, usually sponsored by private or
government agencies.
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Having these data, a study on making a solar-powered vehicle will be the focus of
the entire research entitled e-Cab. This is an electric car primarily powered through its
installed solar panel. Energy collected will be stored on a built-in battery bank that is
directly connected to the vehicles motor. But due to the varying setting of the sun and
weather conditions, a back-up power source will be added in case of a power shortage.
The car can be plugged to an AC source to charge it up. The energy acquired will also be
stored in the battery bank. By that, this innovative yet efficient vehicle can eventually
contribute on having a healthier environment to live on.

Objectives of the Study
The study generally aims to create and construct a solar-powered 4-wheeled
vehicle.
Specifically, this research aims to;
1. Develop a back-up power source.
2. Determine the operation and parameters of the vehicle to produce an
operational manual.
3. Evaluate the functionality, manageability and safety of the vehicle.

Scope and Delimitation
e-Cab is a study that will focus on the design and construction of a 4-wheeled
vehicle to be powered primarily by solar energy. This vehicle is only limited for forward
steering. Also, a secondary circuit will be created as a back-up power source to let the
vehicle be charged on a 220V AC outlet. A cab is to be built with a maximum of 2 seats
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including the drivers seat and is to be made from lightweight materials which will help
lighten the overall weight of the cab. After the construction, the vehicle is intended to be
used only at the BUPC compound for the testing of its functionality wherein there is no
steep slope.

Significance of the Study
To develop eco-friendly devices and technologies are the main concerns of our
scientists and inventors today. This study will be of great benefit to the following:
Environment. The system uses the electric motor technology, which produces no
hydrocarbon or carbon dioxide emissions like fuel-based vehicles do.
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It is a green
technology that eliminates almost all pollutions.
School Personnel. This vehicle could be utilized as a means of transportation
inside the BUPC compound.
Entrepreneurs. This study will provide insights in the construction of the system
for commercial purposes.
Students. This study will provide the new ideas in developing and designing
electronic system.
Electronics Enthusiast. The concepts will be helpful to them in developing new
system and further improve the existing system.
Researchers. This will help the researchers to apply their knowledge and skills
that they have learned.
Future Researchers. This may help them to develop and improve studies
regarding solar powered vehicle.
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Notes

1
Borbon, SPC et al. Science and Technology in the Catholic High School,
Salesiana Publishers Inc., Makati, Philippines. Page 5

2
Harper, Gavin, D.J., 2007. Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius. USA:
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

3
McCarthy, Virginia Q. 2007 The New Book of Knowledge. USA: Scholastic
Library Publishing, Inc.

4
V. Ryan. Solar Powered Cars. 2006 2009. http:// www. Technology student.
com/energy1/solcar1.htm (Retrieved July 12, 2013)

5
Singer, Brett C., et al., A Fuel-Based Motor Vehicle Emission Inventory.
January 9, 2012. http://www. tandfonline.com/doi /abs/10.1080/10473289.1996.
10467492#preview (Retrieved October 18, 2013)