To unofficially address some previous questions: Q. Could Solar electricity be used to charge the batteries / will the Volt come with Solar panels?
Perhaps – but trickle charging the battery from solar cells may be counter-productive to battery life. All batteries, even Li-Ion, have a limited battery life, partially determined by how deeply they are discharged during use and how often they are charged (a charge cycle). The best way to use a rechargeable battery today is in a single use-and-recharge cycle over the course of a day and night, such as GM is suggesting for the Volt. Anything else, such as a trickle solar cell on the roof, is counter productive and reduces battery life by subjecting it to multiple smaller charges and drains during the day.
Related Questions
- To unofficially address some previous questions: Q. Could Solar electricity be used to charge the batteries / will the Volt come with Solar panels?
- Doesn the electricity used to charge the batteries contribute to pollution from coal power plants?
- Can solar panels and wind generators be used to charge the batteries?
