We talk a lot atSHIFTabout materials innovation, especially advancements in battery ingredients, size, and range.
But theres another form of energy thats even older solar.
I wanted to know why, so I decided to do a bit of research.
What is a solar vehicle?
Firstly, when we talk about solar vehicles, its vital to get the classification right.
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Erm, so how do solar panels on cars work?
Lets make it easy.
Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells.
These PV cells take light, or photons, and convert it to solar electricity.
When sunlight hits the solar panel, PV cells produce direct current (DC) electricity.
What are the advantages of solar-powered cars?
Ok, tell me the bad news
How is solar energy integrated into sEVs?
Solar car roofs
Solar car roofs have been around for a while.
This adds around an extra 1,300 km annually.
However, this tech is unavailable in the US as the materials used do not pass US rollover tests.
Nissan Leaf: The company released its first solar roofed car in 2010 well ahead of the pack.
Solar power tonneau
There is also thesolar-power tonneau.
Solar panels collect the suns rays and stores them in a high-capacity battery pack.
Stored energy is accessible via a built-in AC/DC inverter, extending the electric vehicle range as it drives.
The startups
Then, there are the startups.
And their efforts make the OEMs look positively piss-weak.
Lightyearwas founded in 2016 and hails from the Netherlands.
Its raised $100 million in funding.
German companySono Motorsis creating the Sion.
The company was founded in 2016 and has raised over $126 million in funding.
Its easy to feel jaded about sun-powered cars.
Theres not enough collective interest in bringing the same level of investment financially or technically as other EV solutions.
And Im not sure well ever see it.
Its nothing short of a real missed opportunity.
But, dont worry, I think the startups just might save us.
Stay tuned for an article detailing these two companies in more detail.
Theyre shaking up the auto industry in a way weve never seen before.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
