Solar-powered cars

Thema:
Solar powered cars
Integrated solar and safety

Electricity will power the next generation of transportation technology. Electric cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles can be made more sustainable with longer ranges and more autonomy with on-board solar power. The first solar-powered cars are scheduled to hit the road in 2023 with TNO onboard.

Benefits of solar-powered cars

It’s likely that in 2025 there’ll be more than 50 million electric vehicles on the road, powered by renewable electricity sources. We've developed software modelling to demonstrate that solar cells and solar modules on vehicles can enable all kinds of developments:

  • driving up to 20,000 km per year on solar energy alone in sunny locations
  • 150 to 200 euros of direct savings on electricity costs per year
  • the possibility of not having to charge the vehicle in summer
  • reducing carbon emissions by 250 kg per year
  • 23 to 40% fewer plug-ins at charging points
  • vehicles as a smart and integrated part of the electricity grid and distribution network

Technology for Solar Mobility

With multiple companies we are working to make the 3D and curved solar panels even more energy-efficient and lighter in weight. TNO technology will enable companies like Lightyear, Sono Motors, and others to integrate the solar cells more easily and effectively into the production process. When designing the solar roof, the experts take account of:

  • the technical capabilities of the solar cells
  • the technical requirements of the car manufacturers
  • the legal safety requirements
  • the wishes of consumers

Future design

Our developments are based on both the silicon PV technology that is available today as well as thinking about the solar technology of the future like perovskites and tandems. This will enable a fast development time to ensure the best solar technology is available for solar mobility applications.

The Lightyear Two
The Lightyear 2

Solar panels on lorries and buses

Solar panels can now be seen on the roofs of lorries and buses. The roof is eminently suitable due to its large surface area and big lorries can fit just as many solar panels as an average house. We’re now investigating which materials, construction, and methods for securing the panels are the most suitable. And how we can produce the solar roofs most efficiently. The transport sector and manufacturers have high expectations for this technology, which should result in cost savings and lower emissions of CO2 and hazardous substances like diesel particulate. This will also enable lorries to meet the requirements for environmental zones in city centres.

Lorry with solar panels on the roof.

Electric vehicles in the energy system

Electric vehicles will probably be an important part of total energy storage in the energy system of the future. This is because the amount of energy from the batteries of all electric cars together is considerable. It can be used to match supply and demand. We’re investigating how the charging structure can be optimally designed for this, with three functions:

  • Charging the car. This remains necessary, as solar energy alone will never be sufficient.
  • The sale of cheaply purchased power from private car owners to other parties in the event of scarcity.
  • Logistics and planning for electric vehicle fleets to make use of day-ahead electricity markets.

We’re working on the architecture of energy networks of the future. For example, there should be a good balance between sufficient capacity, flexibility, and costs. In Eindhoven, together with grid manager Enexis and ElaadNL, among others, we’ve demonstrated how an energy system with electric cars can work in practice. In addition, charging points could also be fitted with solar panels, as in the photo, so that the solar energy thus generated could be fed directly into the charging point.

Rapid charging point for electric cars, with solar panels.

Solar-powered car

One of the first commercially available solar-powered cars is the Lightyear 2. This self-charging solar car, which will be launched on the market in 2025, is made using technologies from TNO. The Lightyear 0, formerly Lightyear One, was also based on this TNO innovation.

The Lightyear 0

The Lightyear 0 has bi-directionally curved solar panels with a surface of five square metres. The panels ‘fill up’ with sunlight when the car is stationary and when it’s in motion. This adds up to an extra 30 km per day to its range.

The technology of the Lightyear is based on silicon technology, which is cost-effective and becoming ever cheaper. These solar cells are used for mass-produced conventional solar panels that are optimised for performance, service life, and safety.

One of the challenges was bending solar panels to fit the car’s bodywork. In order to follow the aerodynamic shapes, the panels are bent over 2 different axes, which is unique on the market.

In addition, back-contact foil technology ensures optimum performance of the solar panels under dynamic lighting conditions.

Curved solar panels for cars

TNO is working on solar cells that can be incorporated into curved parts, such as the roof, the bonnet, and the tailgate. The shape of the Lightyear is an important factor in its aerodynamic design and it has a range of over 725 km. Lightyear has also applied our technology in an after-market sunroof demonstration for the Tesla Model 3 and a prototype has been made for the VW Crafter LCV van.

Solar-powered cars on TV in Tegenlicht

TNO employee Bonna Newman talked about the future of solar cars in the Dutch TV programme Tegenlicht.

Get inspired

14 resultaten, getoond 1 t/m 5

TNO's view of 2030: using every surface for solar power generation

Informatietype:
Insight
15 August 2023

If we want to generate green energy on a large scale, we'll have to be smart in using the scarce space available in the Netherlands. Within 10 years, we'll make it possible to use any surface to generate sustainable energy. Curious how?

Creative ivy-shaped solar panel system against façade High Tech Campus Eindhoven

Informatietype:
News
26 April 2023

Will we soon be able to turn our homes and business premises into one big solar panel? This is getting closer thanks to a special collaboration between TNO, Inbo Architects, Van der Leegte Werkt, Flexipol, and High Tech Campus Eindhoven.

Paved dykes are promising for solar panel application

Informatietype:
News
22 February 2023

A study of the possibilities for adding solar panels to dykes shows that solar panels placed on a paved dyke surface are the most suitable and can be applied without much additional research.

Europe explores potential of solar powered vehicles

Informatietype:
News
14 February 2023

An international public-private consortium will address how solar-powered vehicles can support the transition to an all-electric transport system in the EU.

Favourable business case for solar heat in homes

Informatietype:
Insight
22 November 2022

Solar heat can make an important contribution to increasing the sustainability of our heat supply. Photovoltaic-thermic (PVT) systems on the roof can, in combination with a heat pump, supply homes with heat and hot water. This would make natural gas redundant, thereby decreasing carbon emissions. There are plenty of options, but what about the cost-benefit analysis?