A Data-Driven Odyssey in Solar Vehicles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simulator that uses real-world data to help users understand and optimize energy management in solar vehicles during long-distance travel, aiming to improve user confidence and decision-making.

Contribution

It presents a novel simulator integrating weather and map data to educate users on solar vehicle energy management and validate strategies for real-world routes.

Findings

Simulator effectively replicates real-world driving conditions.

Users can explore various speed policies and receive tailored recommendations.

Validation with the World Solar Challenge route demonstrates practical utility.

Abstract

Solar vehicles, which simultaneously produce and consume energy, require meticulous energy management. However, potential users often feel uncertain about their operation compared to conventional vehicles. This study presents a simulator designed to help users understand long-distance travel in solar vehicles and recognize the importance of proper energy management. By utilizing Google Maps data and weather information, the simulator replicates real-world driving conditions and provides a dashboard displaying vehicle status, updated hourly based on user-inputted speed. Users can explore various speed policy scenarios and receive recommendations for optimal driving strategies. The simulator's effectiveness was validated using the route of the World Solar Challenge (WSC). This research enables users to monitor energy dynamics before a journey, enhancing their understanding of energy management and informing appropriate speed decisions.