This coating of only five micrometersmicrometers thick, less than a hair, weighs only 50 grams per square meter. Ideally, it could be applied seamlessly to the bodywork of electric vehicles, knowing that this active photovoltaic surface is very malleable and can be applied to any support.
According to the German manufacturer’s calculations, a surface area of 11 square meters, that is to say the equivalent of that of a medium-sized SUV, could produceenergyenergy to travel up to 12,000 kilometers per year in ideal conditions (in this case, those of Stuttgart, where the tests were carried out).
This installation has the advantage of operating continuously, even when stopped. It could therefore be, in the future, a particularly effective solution for increasing the range of electric vehicles and correspondingly reducing their recharging time.
Volvo will revolutionize the charging of its electric cars
Up to 100% autonomy in maximum sunlight
Obviously, its performance depends on the intensity of the sunshine. For example, Mercedes-Benz drivers in Stuttgart travel an average of 52 kilometers per day. With this type of covering, approximately 62% of this distance would be achieved using solar energy. But in Los Angeles, where there is more sunshine, this is almost 100% of the distance that could be covered using solar energy. Note that any surplus produced could then be injected directly into the domestic network, via a bidirectional charging station.
In addition to technological performance, this solution has the advantage of being ecological since it does not use any rare or toxic and easily available materials. This device would also prove to be much cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules and easier to recyclerrecycler. The idea now is to develop this concept to fit any model of the brand, whatever the shape of its body.
