Solar cars ever closer thanks to a study by a Japanese team.
A group of researchers from Miyazaki University, Japan, published a study entitled “Testing and rating of vehicle-integrated photovoltaics: Scientific background” dedicated to the tests and protocols necessary to address the particular challenges related to vehicle-integrated photovoltaic panels (VIPV).
The team developed new methods to test and standardize the photovoltaic panels integrated into vehicles, addressing the critical issues related to curvatures, dynamic shading and non-uniform radiation. The study introduces an advanced mathematical model based on differential geometry and shading matrices, overcoming the limitations of traditional techniques.
The study, published in the journal Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cellsfocuses on how to overcome the limitations of current calculation techniques, which often assume ideal conditions such as the absence of shadows, perfectly flat terrain and constant solar radiation. According to the research team, these simplifications do not represent true vehicle operating conditions, where shadows, motion and curved surfaces heavily impact performance.
The solar simulators were tested in different geographic locations, with shared protocols to ensure consistent results. Among the innovations, researchers have introduced new calculation methods. This approach made it possible to capture details such as shadows created by vehicle elements (such as the bonnet, doors and rear windshield), and to predict the impact of solar radiation more precisely.
Looking to the future, the team is developing a tool to estimate fuel savings for trucks and buses equipped with VIPV panels. Currently, studies are underway on 130 trucks to validate these models.
