Telegraph.co.uk: Petrol stations will die out as drivers plug electric cars into homes, scientists say.
Solar panel technology is improving so rapidly that petrol stations could be replaced in the near future by drivers plugging their electric cars into their homes, Keith Barnham, emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College, says.
Is it the end of of the road for petrol stations?
Petrol stations could vanish in the near future as drivers start plugging their cars into their homes, a scientist has forecast.
Solar panel technology is improving at such a rate than soon motorists will be able to draw down enough power fuel their vehicles using the sun’s rays.
Keith Barnham, emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College, said he and his colleagues were already producing solar panels, which were three times as efficient as current models.
And they do not need to be fitted on roofs. The new materials work vertically and can be inserted into windows or made into blinds, which can be pulled down on a sunny day.
Speaking at the Hay Festival, Prof Barnham said: “Could we have an electric car powered entirely by sunlight? Yes we could.
“A typical (solar panel) system will generate enough electricity for typical mileage in a year.
“Free fuel for life from your rooftop. Even the most fervent opponents of electric cars like Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t argue with that.
“We need to spread the word that we have got the technology already, we just need to use it.”
Prof Barnham said if the UK followed Germany’s example and switched to renewable energy, bills could be reduced by more than 20 per cent.
Germany is well on its way of reaching its targets of all renewables by 2050.
“Solar panels have reduced the wholesale price of German electricity. There is a puzzle here, a mystery. How come the price has fallen but in 2011 they were only producing three per cent of the overall energy?
“It’s because the (solar panel energy) comes at exactly the right time you want it. Energy use peaks at midday when there is the most sunlight. It is the same in Britain.
“That is the time when demand is high so traditional power is at its most expensive.”
Solar panel technology is improving so rapidly that petrol stations could be replaced in the near future by drivers plugging their electric cars into their homes, Keith Barnham, emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College, says.
Is it the end of of the road for petrol stations?
Petrol stations could vanish in the near future as drivers start plugging their cars into their homes, a scientist has forecast.
Solar panel technology is improving at such a rate than soon motorists will be able to draw down enough power fuel their vehicles using the sun’s rays.
Keith Barnham, emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College, said he and his colleagues were already producing solar panels, which were three times as efficient as current models.
And they do not need to be fitted on roofs. The new materials work vertically and can be inserted into windows or made into blinds, which can be pulled down on a sunny day.
Speaking at the Hay Festival, Prof Barnham said: “Could we have an electric car powered entirely by sunlight? Yes we could.
“A typical (solar panel) system will generate enough electricity for typical mileage in a year.
“Free fuel for life from your rooftop. Even the most fervent opponents of electric cars like Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t argue with that.
“We need to spread the word that we have got the technology already, we just need to use it.”
Prof Barnham said if the UK followed Germany’s example and switched to renewable energy, bills could be reduced by more than 20 per cent.
Germany is well on its way of reaching its targets of all renewables by 2050.
“Solar panels have reduced the wholesale price of German electricity. There is a puzzle here, a mystery. How come the price has fallen but in 2011 they were only producing three per cent of the overall energy?
“It’s because the (solar panel energy) comes at exactly the right time you want it. Energy use peaks at midday when there is the most sunlight. It is the same in Britain.
“That is the time when demand is high so traditional power is at its most expensive.”
