They are patenting a roof composed of low-cost photovoltaic cells which generate energy.
The Galician Automotive Technology Center (CTAG) has begun a research project whose goal is the industrial development of a solar car. The project is based on an innovative type of photovoltaic cells that are installed in the plastic forming the roof of vehicles, and which act as a source of energy. Joining in the project are the Technological Center Cetemsa, from Mataró (Barcelona), and the Navarre Industry Association (AIN).
In a first phase, the developers of the project aim for cars to be able to take advantage of solar energy in order to power part of the battery and cover the electrical needs of internal electrical components. The idea is to power, for example, the interior lights or activate the air conditioning without having to start the car.
The photovoltaic technology on which this invention is based possesses great potential as a source of energy for this and other industrial sectors. Further, it will enable the production of solar cells using lower cost equipment than is the case with traditional systems, and with better performance.
The solar vehicle of the future will not require direct or permanent exposure to the sun. It will be enough for the photovoltaic cells to receive sufficient light to become activated, and carry out their mission to generate energy. Until now the only existing prototypes have been limited to vehicles with poor autonomy that depend on light in order to move.
La Voz de Galicia