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Genie Insights Launches Customised Solar Panels for Commercial Vehicles Fleet technology supplier Genie Insights has developed a range of solar products customdesigned for use on commercial vehicles. The panels charge batteries powering equipment including fridge units, tail lifts and an array of electrical ancillary equipment. partner to be able to deliver customised products to both trailer manufacturers and operators.”
The County Antrim company has taken advantage of new solar panel technology that allows easier customisation of panels for application on virtually any commercial vehicle or trailer configuration. Genie Insights’ solar products, which are produced in conjunction with a UK solar panel manufacturer, use the very latest in CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) technology instead of traditional glassbased panels. As well as being lightweight and flexible, the panels are extremely powerful and highly efficient, even generating energy in low light conditions. The panel technology is particularly robust because it flexes with the vehicle body, and because it doesn’t contain glass, there is no risk of fractures or cracking. The unique construction also means the panels continue to work even if damaged or partially covered.
installation on popular vehicle and trailer configurations. Offering a full design, installation and back up service with a 5-year performance warranty, Genie Insights can also configure panels for any type of moveable asset that relies on battery power.
Genie Insights offer tailor-made solar panels as well as a range of standardised products for easy
“The latest CIGS technology allows panels to be lighter weight, slimmer and more efficient than
traditional solar solutions,” says Billy Dougan of Genie Insights. “This technology clearly has major benefits but during early trials we realised that a one-size-fitsall solution would have limited appeal as vehicle and trailer configurations vary so much. We have therefore spent 18 months working on a flexible production process with our manufacturing
Solar panels on commercial vehicles have been shown to deliver fuel savings, but Genie Insights believes the greatest benefits come from improvements in battery performance and reliability. As a minimum, the panels keep batteries trickle-charged to prevent loss of power and to minimise the risk of expensive and inconvenient breakdowns, and in some applications can even generate enough energy to be the main source of power. Battery health is also maintained and longevity maximised. “We have now sold more than 1,000 panels into the UK and Irish commercial vehicle market so have the data to prove that our product performs even in the most northernly climate over the winter months. Even in low light, our panels keep fridge batteries sufficiently charged to avoid battery related breakdowns,” Matt Reeve of Genie Insights comments.
British astronaut to headline Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference From self-driving vehicles transporting goods, to warehouses run on Artificial Intelligence, logistics businesses are harnessing the technology of tomorrow to revolutionise the efficiency of the industry. To help identify where space-age inspiration could provide solutions for 21st century challenges, Major Tim Peake CMG will be the keynote speaker at Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference at the Innovation & Technology in Transport Hub (ITT Hub). The event is to be held at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre on 30 June and 1 July 2021, and Peake – the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) – will be kicking off the free, two-day conference with a session challenging the way that logistics, public transport and technology operates, both now and in the future. Peake comments: “60 years ago, Man had
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not even set foot on the moon, but the boundaries of what’s possible have been expanded, and I look forward to challenging visitors at the conference to push their horizons and help to shape the industry of tomorrow. I am also looking forward to experiencing first-hand the wide range of new options for logistics which the ITT Hub will have on show – and possibly even seeing what it’s like to experience an autonomous vehicle.” Elizabeth de Jong, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, comments: “We are thrilled Major Tim Peake will be presenting at the Future Logistics Conference. As a pioneer of space travel, we look forward to seeing his vision for the future of logistics unfold, as he
kicks off two days of debate and discussion at the Future Logistics Conference.” Peake, a former test pilot, inspired millions with his work during Mission Principia while at ISS. he is also a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) ambassador, a schools’ speaker and best-selling author. As well as an extensive exhibition featuring the latest developments in logistics and passenger transport, ITT Hub will also provide an outdoor vehicle display area and a unique series of “ride and drive” experiences, to give attendees the chance to try the very latest in vehicle technology for themselves. For further information about the conference programme at the Future Logistics Conference, and to register for a free place, which will also provide access to ITT Hub please visit www. itthub.co.uk/conference/programme
