Analysis for the Potential of High-Efficiency and Low-Cost Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics

The spread of the photovoltaic-powered electric vehicle (PV-EV) is desirable and is essential for reduction in CO2 emissions, increasing electric range, and creating a new clean energy infrastructure based on PVs. Development of highly efficient PV modules with reasonable cost is necessary to realize a longer PV-driving range of passenger cars. Herein, the potential of various solar cell modules for vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) applications is analyzed. This article shows that the use of highly efficient solar cell modules with an efficiency of higher than 35% enables longer than 30 km day(-1) PV driving under average irradiance of 4 kWh m(-2) day(-1) without external charging. Cost reduction of VIPV modules is also very important for spreading the PV-powered vehicles. By considering electricity charging cost saving and reduction in CO2 emission of electric vehicles, the cost target of VIPV is discussed. The cost targets of the solar cell modules for the PV-EV by considering only electricity charging cost saving, $2.6/Wp for a module with conversion efficiency of 20% and $3.7/Wp for a module with that of 40%, are estimated in the case of electric mileage of 10 km kWh(-1).

Automated summary

This article analyzes the potential of various solar cell modules for vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) applications. It shows that solar cell modules with an efficiency higher than 35% can enable a PV driving range of over 30 km without external charging. Cost reduction of VIPV modules is also important for spreading PV-powered vehicles.