Chapter 10, Problem 36E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether an average car has enough surface area to meet its power needs with solar power or not is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Power input on the solar cells is the total active area of the solar cells multiplied by solar power. The percent of the input power that is converted to output power by a solar cell is called its efficiency. Percent efficiency of a solar cell is $100$ multiplied by the ratio of the power out and the power in.

$\text{Percent efficiency}=\frac{\text{Power out}}{\text{Power in}}\times 100$ …… (1)

$\text{Average solar power}=\frac{\text{Power input}}{\text{Surface area}}$