Growing number of UK CV and trailer fleets are using solar panels

GENIE Insights has highlighted European research which shows how fleet operators could improve vehicle energy management and battery health by generating electricity from vehicle solar panels.

Genie recently teamed with Isuzu to offer a factory-fitted solar panel on the new electric Isuzu D-Max pick-up.

The research was commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE). The solar technology findings come from the SolarMoves project, which was commissioned to better understand how vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) technology could help reduce charging demand and ease pressure on Europe’s electricity grids as transport continues to electrify. It suggests widespread vehicle solar adoption could reduce demand on Europe’s electricity grid by 15.6TWh (Terawatt-hours) annually – enough electricity to power more than four million homes for a year.

Delivered by a consortium led by TNO, an independent Dutch applied research organisation, the SolarMoves project examined the potential contribution of vehicle-integrated solar across a range of vehicle types and operating environments.

Over 15,000 solar panels are fitted across vans, trucks and refrigerated trailers throughout the UK and Europe, Genie Insights has welcomed the research findings.

The findings reinforce a principle that Genie is already observing as UK commercial vehicle and trailer fleets appreciate that the future of fleet electrification is not simply about larger batteries and more charging points, it is also about generating and managing energy more intelligently on the vehicle itself.

As onboard electrical demands continue to increase, fleet operators are facing a growing challenge with vehicle systems such as telematics, cameras, safety equipment, refrigeration units and connected technologies increasing demands on vehicle batteries. At the same time, operators are under pressure to maximise vehicle uptime, improve operational efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Vehicle-integrated solar offers a practical way to address these challenges by capturing available energy directly from the vehicle’s surface and using it to support onboard electrical systems.

“Electrification is often framed as a challenge that can only be solved through larger batteries and expanded charging infrastructure. While those elements are important, we believe there is an equally important opportunity to generate energy where it is needed.”

Matt Reeve, Managing Director, Genie Insights Tweet

“Commercial vehicles spend every day exposed to daylight and equipped with vehicle-integrated solar allow operators to capture some of that energy and put it to work supporting onboard systems, improving reliability and reducing unnecessary demand on vehicle batteries.

“Having deployed more than 15,000 systems across commercial fleets it’s encouraging to see independent European research highlighting the potential of an approach that many UK fleets are already successfully adopting today.”

As vehicle technology continues to evolve, Genie Insights believes that integrated energy solutions combining solar generation, battery technology and intelligent energy management will play an increasingly important role in supporting reliable, efficient and resilient commercial fleet operations.

The full report can be accessed here.