Will Solar Electric Cars Ever Become Affordable?

This post, part of a series we're running all about electric cars, was written by Patrick E. George from HowStuffWorks.com.

More and more, we're seeing cars that run on something other than gasoline. Electric cars like the Tesla Roadster and Nissan LEAF are gaining tremendous buzz among eco-minded drivers and carmakers are even experimenting with hydrogen fuel cell power. But when will we get to see cars powered by sunlight?

Solar powered vehicles boast many advantages over fossil fuel powered ones. Since they transform sunlight into electricity in order to power an electric motor, tailpipe emissions become a thing of the past. But while solar energy is perhaps the ultimate renewable energy source, experts say it won't be the sole source of motion for our vehicles anytime soon.

For one, photovoltaic cells -- which capture solar energy and convert it to electricity -- are very expensive. A single cell can cost hundreds of dollars. A large array of solar cells would be necessary to power even a small vehicle -- and to top it off, they're not tremendously efficient. So while solar-powered racecars aren't out of the ordinary, they're often flat, one-seat vehicles made entirely out of solar panels. They're not exactly people-movers, in other words.

Though the sun won't entirely power your car anytime soon, those seeking to catch some rays (literally) have a few options right now. Toyota's latest Prius has an optional solar moonroof that powers a ventilation system to help keep the car cool on hot days.

And the Fisker Karma, a new exotic hybrid sport sedan, also features a solar panel roof that gathers energy for the hybrid system. According to Cars.com, the roof alone can provide up to four or five miles of additional travel on the electric system.

The best options for a solar-electric car may be through charging, not direct solar power. Some people are experimenting with charging their electric vehicles using solar panels attached to their homes. One couple in California told Edmunds about a $10,000 solar panel system on their roof that they use to charge two electric Mini Cooper E models. That may sound like a lot, but since their solar-powered system is set to last 25 years, it's a lot cheaper than the nearly $60,000 they would pay in gas for a comparable gasoline-powered car. And that means no emissions from the electric grid or the car itself!

Who knows? Maybe one day all of us will be charging our electric car batteries using sunlight.