There are already cars with photovoltaic roofs. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems is now attaching a solar-active surface to a car hood. The researchers hope for series production.
Freiburg researchers have developed a thin solar cell film for car hoods. The film can be adapted to the color of the respective car, which has not existed before, said project manager Martin Heinrich from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) of the German Press Agency in Freiburg.
There is now a first prototype on the hood of a production car. “We are now looking for development partners to further improve the surface and then start large-scale production with a vehicle manufacturer,” said Heinrich. He estimated the pure production costs for a bonnet film at around 100 to 150 euros – but there had to be a large series for that.
Solar technology for electric vehicles and combustion engines
A study has shown that the solar range of a car in Freiburg in southern Baden – i.e. in a comparatively sunny city – could reach 4000 kilometers a year. The roof would contribute around two thirds, the hood the remaining third. Solar technology is suitable for both e-vehicles and combustion engines.
Manufacturers have already equipped car roofs with photovoltaics, said Heinrich. These are mostly glass roofs. The Fraunhofer system is about a structure on a metal surface. The Fraunhofer researchers attached the film to the hood of a VW Polo – the model variant in question was built until 2009. The project will be presented at the IAA Mobility, which starts on September 5th in Munich.
Source: Stern
