Research project on the integration of photovoltaics in electrically powered utility vehicles successfully launched

On 9 October 2018, the kick-off meeting of the research project “Street – Use of highly efficient solar cells in electrically powered utility vehicles” funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy took place at the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hameln / Emmerthal (ISFH).

The current push for the expansion of electromobility and the increased efficiencies and lower costs of photovoltaic (PV) modules make a combination of both technologies into “Vehicle Integrated” (VI-) PV seem attractive. However, it is a great challenge to achieve an economically and ecologically sensible cost-benefit ratio with VIPV. On the one hand, highly efficient and robust solar cells and modules must be used, which deliver a high yield even under partial shading, are lightweight, and can still be manufactured cost-effectively. In addition, adaptations of the on-board electronics to the special requirements of VIPV are necessary. On the other hand, the user profile of the electric vehicles must also allow a high VIPV yield or a high solar fraction.

In order to meet all these requirements, from solar cell and module development and mechanical and electrical integration in electric vehicles to test drives and experimental yield forecasts, four industrial partners and four research institutes with many years of development and production expertise have joined forces to form the Street Consortium. ISFH, the Institute for Materials and Components of Electronics (MBE) of Leibniz Universität Hannover, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and Meyer Burger (Germany) are working on the development and production of solar cells and solar cell strings. The development of VIPV solar modules is in the hands of a2-solar Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems, while Continental Automotive is responsible for integration into the vehicle electrical system and StreetScooter is responsible for integration into the vehicle and test drives. ISFH is responsible for project coordination.

Representatives of all project partners were present at the kick-off meeting, which took place in a constructive and pleasant atmosphere.