Reducing pollutant emissions and fuel consumption – the benefits of solar panels for semi-trucks truly are appealing to companies operating in the transportation sector.
Fitting solar panels to semi-trucks is a good solution for the present and especially for the future of trucking because even though it requires an initial investment, the ROI comes within a few years while the benefit continues both for the company and the environment.
Solar panels for refrigerated semi-trucks
When it comes to solar panels for semi-trucks, one application that can garner the most from their installation is certainly refrigerated trucks, given that the solar system is able to power the refrigeration unit (TRU) responsible for the proper maintenance of the transported products.
Considering that cold freight necessitates temperatures ranging from 0°C to +7°C, and even -18°C for frozen products, the energy consumption involved is considerable.
The use of solar power, which can be exploited by means of control logic that flanks or suspends the diesel motor when solar-generated electricity is available, can be a significant economic and environmental advantage for such refrigerated vehicles.
But moving from theory to practice, let’s look at an actual example together.
Solar panels for semi-trucks: a concrete example
In this installation of solar panels for semi-trucks carried out in 2022, we can observe an actual installation designed for refrigerated trucks.
Procedure
The first step was to attach the PV modules to the trailer which, with its 2.6x13.6-square-meter roof, provides ample room for maneuvering. Flexible photovoltaic modules were recommended for this type of installation due to their lightweight properties, reducing the overall load by 80% compared to conventional glass and aluminum-framed modules. Flexible modules are also better suited to withstand the vibrations of the vehicle, unlike traditional panels that may break under stress. With their thin profile, flexible solar panels have minimal impact on the trailer's aerodynamics and can be easily attached using double-sided adhesive tape.
The protective film is removed from the rear adhesive before attachment.
Result achieved
The final result, in this case, led to an installation with a peak power of 3.5 kW, but by optimizing the space and using more efficient solar cells, up to 5.5 kW can be achieved. The modules can then be electrically connected according to the defined layout characteristics and overall power, with corresponding output values of voltage and current. The solar system thus designed will power a hybrid refrigeration system.
This solution can be taken even further to achieve full electric refrigeration, as shown in the following layout, which represents another one of our installations.
This highly innovative solution, comprising photovoltaic modules, MPPT converter, batteries, and regenerative braking axis, enabled the complete elimination of the previously required diesel generator for refrigeration.
Solar panels for semi-trucks: more weight and more consumption?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions – namely whether equipping a semi-truck with PV modules can increase the weight to such an extent that the fuel requirement to transport the unit increases accordingly.
The answer is that flexible solar panels are significantly lighter than their glass panel counterparts, thereby having a negligible impact on the overall system.
Thus, the installation of a solar panel system for semi-trucks does not impact the vehicle’s fuel consumption in any significant way, as the modules in question have a weight per square meter that is almost 5 times lower than that of conventional photovoltaic panels.
In particular, a photovoltaic system for semi-trucks, employing Solbianflex panels that weigh less than 2.5 kg/m2 and are only 2 mm thick, can be easily integrated into any vehicle type while complying with the maximum height allowed by law.
At this point, all that is left to do is to complete an economic assessment. To this end, we have developed an online configurator that will allow you to simulate your design. Click below and try out the free configurator.
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