Impact and recent approaches of high-efficiency solar cell modules for PV-powered vehicles

Abstract

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV)-powered vehicles are expected to play a critical role in a future carbon neutrality society because it has been reported that the vehicle integrated PVs (VIPVs) have great ability to reduce CO2 emission from the transport sector. Development of high-efficiency solar cell modules is very important for this end. In this paper, analytical results for impact of high-efficiency solar cell modules on increases in electric vehicle (EV) driving distance, reducing CO2 emission and saving charging cost of EV powered by PV are shown. The III-V triple-junction and Si tandem solar cell modules with an efficiency of more than 35% have potential of the EV driving distance of more than 30 km/day on average and more than 50 km/day on a clear day. The effects of temperature, partial shading, curved surface and color variation of solar cell modules upon output power of the VIPV are also briefly shown.