New DOE Report Targets Commercial Trucks and Refrigeration Units as Suitable for Solar Modules

In order to decrease diesel fuel costs or increase power in electric vehicles (EVs), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has indicated that commercial trucks, trailers and refrigerated units could benefit from experimental solar photovoltaic vehicle modules.

Solar photovoltaics is simply a system that utilizes solar panels on the outside of vehicles. The process has been around for more than 70 years but is now becoming widespread in the manufacturing industry. Currently released car models with solar roofs include the Toyota Prius with a 180watt module and the Hyundai Sonata with a 210-watt module.

Research recently released by the Vehicle Technologies and Solar Energy offices of the DOE identified commercial trucks and trailers as the nation’s largest market for these modules.

The DOE is looking at ways to integrate modules into vehicle exteriors and electric system architecture to supply power to onboard electric loads or batteries. Mediumand heavy-duty trucks display great potential for solar technologies, mostly because of their large, flat, and horizontal surfaces, which make for easy installation.

More potential for use from trucks in fleets operating during daylight, especially for trucks making local deliveries.

Standardized designs for trucks compared with other vehicle types.

Greater motivation for adoption to help lower fuel costs in transporting high-value goods.

The DOE identified the southern U.S., where there is consistently more sunshine as offering good opportunities for using solar modules, especially markets such as food and long-haul goods.

The energy produced by modules can power electric engines and on-board air conditioning or refrigeration systems, according to the research. Modules would replace components such as roofs, hoods, windshields, windows, and doors.

Other benefits of outfitting commercial trucks with photovoltaic modules include: fIzl eINDn dI lwgq ƒ Gtwaux jW ielYkitRk vwhnW (EVS) iv~c pwvr vDwaux leI, AmrIkI aUrjw ivBwg (DOE) ny sUcnw idqI hY ik vpwrk tr~k, tRylr

Frequent exposure to the sun since commercial trucks are usually on the road rather than parked in garages.

“Photovoltaic integration into transport refrigeration units was identified as particularly attractive because of the need to replace diesel fuel in TRUs. Further, TRUs have a duty cycle amenable to solar charging,” the report noted.

Obviously more work is needed to be done in this field to make the modules commercially profitable. Problems include high costs, potential unreliability, installation issues and the technical complexity of maintenance.

Aqy rYiPRjryitf XUintW ƒ pRXogwqmk solr

PotovYlyitk vwhn mifaUlW qoN lwB ho skdw hY[ solr PotovYlyitk ie~k pRxwlI hY jo vwhnW dy bwhrly pwsy sUrjI pYnlW dI vrqoN krdI

AwrkItYkcr iv~c moifaUlW ƒ eykIikRq krn dy qrIikAW dI qlwS kr irhw hY[ m~Dm

Aqy BwrI-ifaUtI tr~k sUrjI qknwlojIAW leI bhuq sMBwvnwvW ƒ pRdriSq krdy hn

Aqy auhnW dIAW v~fIAW, smql Aqy cptI sqhW ieMstwlySn ƒ Awswn bxwauNdy hn[

Koj dy Anuswr, moifaUlW duAwrw pYdw kIqI aUrjw ielYkitRk ieMjxW Aqy Awn-borf eyAr kMfISinMg jW rYiPRjrySn pRxwlIAW

* au~c-mu~l vwlIAW vsqW dI FoAwFuAweI iv~c G~t eINDn dI lwgq nwl vpwr ivc vDyry kmweI[

DOE ny sUrjI mofIaUl dI vrqoN krn dy cMgy mOky pRdwn krn dy qOr 'qy d~KxI AmrIkw dI pihcwx kIqI hY ij~Qy lgwqwr izAwdw Du~p huMdI hY, Kws qOr 'qy Kwx-pIx dy Aqy lMbI dUrI vsqUAW dy bwzwrW ivc[

CALL TODAY ABOUT OUR REFFERAL