Analysis for the Potential of High‐Efficiency and Low‐Cost Vehicle‐Integrated Photovoltaics

Abstract

The spread of the photovoltaic‐powered electric vehicle (PV‐EV) is desirable and is essential for reduction in CO2 emissions, increasing electric range, and creating a new clean energy infrastructure based on PVs. Development of highly efficient PV modules with reasonable cost is necessary to realize a longer PV‐driving range of passenger cars. Herein, the potential of various solar cell modules for vehicle‐integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) applications is analyzed. This article shows that the use of highly efficient solar cell modules with an efficiency of higher than 35% enables longer than 30 km day−1 PV driving under average irradiance of 4 kWh m−2 day−1 without external charging. Cost reduction of VIPV modules is also very important for spreading the PV‐powered vehicles. By considering electricity charging cost saving and reduction in CO2 emission of electric vehicles, the cost target of VIPV is discussed. The cost targets of the solar cell modules for the PV‐EV by considering only electricity charging cost saving, $2.6/Wp for a module with conversion efficiency of 20% and $3.7/Wp for a module with that of 40%, are estimated in the case of electric mileage of 10 km kWh−1.

Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics—A Case Study for Berlin

“…Yamaguchi et al [15] assumed a relatively high solar module efficiency of 35%, which enables over 30 km/day of solar driving under an average irradiance of 4 kWh/ m 2 • day . This study provides cost targets for different module efficiencies and highlights the importance of low costs for the solar panels.…”

Investigation of Effective Factors on Vehicles Integrated Photovoltaic (VIPV) Performance: A Review

“…Various types of solar cells, such as silicon crystal, thin film, multi-junction, semitransparent cells, etc., have been introduced or used as options for integration into vehicle bodies. Each of the mentioned types of solar cells has different advantages and challenges for installation and integration in the body of vehicles [6]. For this reason, in this section,…”

“…Vehicles are usually exposed to direct sunlight, and their body can be an excellent place to install photovoltaic cells [6]. With the progress achieved in the production and development process of photovoltaic cells, these cells can be integrated into the body of vehicles.…”

Assessment of the Required Maximum‐Power‐Point‐Tracking Speed for Vehicle‐Integrated Photovoltaics Based on Transient Irradiation Measurements and Dynamic Electrical Modeling

“…[4] This said, VIPV faces some quite different conditions and challenges in comparison to stationary photovoltaic modules, which have been tackled by scientific research. For example, energy yield potential, [3,5,6] self-shading due to curved car surfaces, [7,8] and also dynamic irradiance conditions [9] have been investigated on different levels of measurements and modeling. Further elaborating the latter, shading of a VIPV module by objects, i.e., buildings, trees, street signs, or alike, is not only determined by the sun's position but also by the movement of the vehicle, changes can occur on a quite small timescale as examined in our previous work.…”