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Top 5 Modes of Transportation Using Solar Panels

With the entire world going green and turning attention to alternatively fueled vehicles, the search for practical solar vehicles continue to climb in the public conscious. With hybrids slowly humming their way onto the roadways of the world it's only a matter of time before their eco-powered relatives make a strong showing and win over the population.

Modes of transportation using solar panels have caused quite a stir in recent years, and so you're in the know we'll list the top 5 solar vehicles soaking up the attention and using it to fuel them forward into the sunlight of the future.

1. Coming in at first and eclipsing all other road vehicles in scope, Louis Palmers Solar Taxi is a zero emission beast powered by solar panels able to drive approximately 248 miles on a battery charge all while maintaining a top speed of 55 mph. What sets Mr. Palmers Solar Taxi apart from the others is its application over the past few years. Ending in December of 2008, Louis and his team have used the Solar Taxi to drive almost 32,000 miles around the world in 17 months with their end destination being the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland.

2. Up next is an original mode of transportation pushed forward by repurposed photovoltaic technology, similar to ones used in home solar panels. The Thera-P E-V Sunny Electric Bicycle operates in three selectable modes: only pedal powered, pedal assist, and completely electric. The subtle use of ingenuity in this vehicle comes with it's ability to charge its battery while in use, allowing for continuous charge Weighing in at less than 44 pounds and able to reach a top speed of 18 mph, the E-V Sunny's safety measures include puncture resistant tires and a brake system called "Ride Safe" that can automatically power the electric motor of the bike off and give full control to the rider.

3. Third on our list is a tandem of first and second-generation iterations of the same vehicle: the Sunseeker and Sunseeker II. The Sunseeker, piloted by Eric Raymond in 1990, was the first solar powered airplane to successfully streak the gospel of solar power across the skies of the U.S. It made genius use of solar panels across its entire wingspan to self-propel on take-off and also utilized the natural patterns of wind to make its way from coast to coast. The Sunseeker II was updated in 2006 with a more powerful and efficient motor, larger wings, and updated controls it became the first solar powered airplane to cross the Alps.

4. Covering single person transport, you may think these are the only solar vehicles on the market until you come across the Tindo solar powered bus. Powered by solar photovoltaic stations, this BP sponsored bus also offers its 42 passengers free rides. At 100% no emissions and free rides, it's highly obvious why this bus makes our top 5.

5. Covering modes of transport on land and in the skies, our last entrance into the top 5 should be obvious. With the sun constantly shining down on the waterways of our world the 5th spot is occupied not by a single vehicle, but manufacturer SolarLab that has turned out its extremely efficient and easy on the eyes boat designs. With the Serpentine, Hamburg, and Constance Solar Shuttles' photovoltaic cells acting as a canopy over upwards of 100 passengers, the European water navigating vessels stand at the ready to deliver its eco-friendly technologies to the high seas as well as the ozone layer.

For more information on solar vehicles, visit http://www.solarvehicles.com

About the Author

Tour the Solar Charging Stations at the 2011 Chevy Volt's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant