Dutch solar PV systems integrator IM Efficiency has launched a complete solar PV system that includes a battery and energy management system to power electrical systems on trucks and transport trailers.
Dutch vehicle-integrated PV (VIPV) specialist IM efficiency has developed an energy system made for fleets of freight-carrying trucks and transport trailers. It includes solar panels, a battery and an energy management system to power the 24 V electrical systems such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).
Interest is growing, according to Martijn Ildiz, CEO of IM Efficiency, who said 100 vehicles across Europe have been equipped with this technology.
“We already have returning customers and expect some of them to convert,” Ildiz said pv magazine. “We exhibited for the second time at the IAA of Deutsche Messe in Hannover. And we noticed that there is a huge difference in the level of interest and willingness to engage compared to two years ago,” Ilidz said, referring to IAA Transportation, the biennial automotive industry trade fair held in Germany.
IM Efficiency markets Solarontop in Europe as a fuel-saving solution. In a recent case study, it investigated the impact of Solarontop on the fuel consumption of a transport trailer of its customer Van Rijnsbergen, a Dutch transport company. Over the course of 2,256 hours, the solar solution was found to be able to cover 53% of a truck’s electrical system needs, effectively reducing the need to keep the engine running to power the onboard systems when stationary. Fuel consumption was reportedly reduced by 1,672 liters per year, which translated into a value of €2,675 according to the manufacturer.
Solarontop can be installed as a retrofit or integrated into new vehicles. It is aimed at automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), aftermarket OEMs, fleet owners and integrators.
The system includes flexible 430W solar panels that weigh just 6kg each, combined with a 4kWh lithium battery that weighs 35kg. Also included is the energy management system, which has been developed in-house to monitor and allocate energy flow based on specific power needs. It integrates a 24V power supply, global satellite positioning and 4G mobile communications. It can power refrigerators, electric tailgates, electric pallet jacks, forklifts, tailgates, HVAC and movable cargo floors.
The Solarontop solar panels are made with monocrystalline cells with an efficiency of 22%, supplied by an unnamed manufacturer. The panels have a matte finish and are 2 m x 1 m x 3 mm. They are said to be resistant to scratches and can withstand frequent washing and scratches.
IM Efficiency was founded in 2014 and is part of the Dutch SolarNL program. In May 2023, it raised an investment round from Dutch investors, including the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM), Rockstart, an international early-stage investor based in Amsterdam, and from private investors.
Image: IM efficiency
Image: IM efficiency
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