|
NEDO, Sharp, and Toyota to Begin Public Road Trials of Electrified Vehicles Equipped with High-efficiency Solar Batteries
Testing the potential of solar batteries toward CO2 emissions reductions in the transport sector
TOKYO, Jul 04, 2019 - (JCN Newswire) - NEDO, Sharp Corporation (Sharp), and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) plan to commence public road trials from late July 2019. The trials aim to assess the effectiveness of improvements in cruising range and fuel efficiency of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries.
 | | Figure 1: Prius PHV demo model equipped with solar battery panel |
 | | Figure 2: Solar battery panel consisting of several solar battery cells (rear hatch door portion) |
To facilitate the execution of this trial, Sharp modularized its world-class, high-efficiency solar battery cells(1) (conversion efficiency of 34%+(2)), previously developed for a NEDO-led project(3), to create an onboard solar battery panel. Toyota installed this panel on the roof, hood, rear hatch door, and other parts of its "Prius PHV" and produced a demo car for public road trials. By enhancing the solar battery panel's efficiency and expanding its onboard area, Toyota was able to achieve a rated power generation output of around 860 W(4), which is approximately 4.8-times higher in comparison with the commercial model Prius PHV (equipped with a solar charging system). In addition to substantially boosting its power generation output, the demo car employs a system that charges the driving battery while the vehicle is parked and also while it's being driven, a development that is expected to lead to considerable improvements in electric-powered cruising range and fuel efficiency.
Toyota plans to conduct the trials under various driving conditions in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Tokyo, and other areas. Various data, including the power generation output of the solar battery panel and the amount the drive battery is charged, will be obtained and verified, and then used in the development of an onboard solar recharging system. Toyota plans to share a selection of trial data results with NEDO and Sharp. The PV-powered Vehicle Strategy Committee(5) (PV: photovoltaic), sponsored by NEDO and other entities will evaluate the benefits based on improvements in CO2 emissions reductions and convenience, such as the number of times a vehicle requires recharging. The goal is to contribute to the creation of a new solar battery panel market, including the transport sector, and find solutions for energy and environmental issues.
Figure 1: Prius PHV demo model equipped with solar battery panel
http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_NEDOSharpToyota1%20.jpg
Background
In April 2016, NEDO, a national research and development organization, set up the PV-powered Vehicle Strategy Committee, which is comprised of members from industry and academia. With the goal of finding solutions to energy and environmental issues in the transport sector, the committee's research focuses on solar power systems. Sharp and Toyota are also active committee participants. The achievements the committee has made thus far include estimates(6) on the potential to achieve an output of 1 kW in vehicles, despite the limited space for installing power systems, by using a solar battery module with a conversion efficiency of 30 percent-plus, zero annual recharging depending on usage patterns, and estimated benefits from a reduction in CO2 emissions.
Profile of demo car
The demo car is equipped with a solar battery panel that utilizes several solar battery cells with a conversion efficiency of 34 percent-plus. The shape of the module, environmental durability, surface materials, and other factors are based on specifications for driving trials implemented by Toyota. The solar battery cell is a thin film about 0.03 mm in thickness. This makes it possible to efficiently install the film to fit the curves of parts with limited space, including the vehicle roof, hood, and rear hatch door. The rated power generation output of the demo car is approximately 860 W.
Previously, the Prius PHV charged the driving battery only while the vehicle was parked. However, with improvements in power generation output, the demo car employs a system that charges while the vehicle is being driven. This is expected to boost the BEV-mode cruising range and fuel efficiency significantly.
Figure 2: Solar battery panel consisting of several solar battery cells (rear hatch door portion)
http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_NEDOSharpToyota2%20.jpg
Trial Timeline
Toyota plans to share a selection of trial data results with NEDO and Sharp. The PV-powered Vehicle Strategy Committee and other entities will evaluate the benefits from improvement in the reduction of CO2 emissions and the improvement in convenience, including the number of times a vehicle requires charging. The goal is to further contribute to the creation of a new solar battery panel market, including the transport sector, and find solutions for energy and environmental issues.
- 1) High-efficiency solar battery cell :
Development of the above cell was carried out by a NEDO-led project. Applications were envisaged for the power generation business to achieve a cost of YEN7/kWh. The project aims to focus on the high conversion efficiency rate and verification of its potential for use in vehicles.
https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/news/AA5en_100070.html
- 2) Conversion efficiency of 34%+ :
Calculated based on cell output (as measured by Sharp) under AM1.5 G standard solar battery test conditions as stipulated by international standards.
- 3) NEDO project :
Project Development of high performance and reliable PV modules to reduce levelized cost of energy; research and development of innovative new structure solar cells; research and development of ultra-high efficiency and low-cost III-V compound semiconductor solar cell modules Period FY 2016 to 2020
- 4) Approximately 860 W :
Total module output based on calculation of cell output (as measured by Sharp).
- 5) PV-powered Vehicle Strategy Committee :
Established by NEDO in April 2016 to conduct research and investigate automotive photovoltaic systems with the goal of further contributing to finding solutions for energy and environmental issues and to create new markets.
- 6) Estimates :
Examined the (1) benefits of CO2 emissions reduction, (2) user convenience (number of times the vehicle requires charging), and (3) benefits of CO2 emissions reduction to society at large when the use of PV-powered vehicles is wide spread. The results were published in an interim report released in January 2018. (https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/news/AA5en_100358.html)
Contact:Public Affairs Division
Global Communications Department
Toyota Motor Corporation
Tel: +81-3-3817-9926
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
Sectors: Automotive, Environment, ESG, Alternative Energy, Automation [IoT]
Copyright ©2024 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network. |
Latest Release
CleverTap Recognized as a Strong Performer in Cross-Channel Marketing Hubs, Q4 2024 Report
Nov 18, 2024 23:30 JST
| 
World's First Successful Trial of Quantum Tokens Created Using Quantum Technology
Nov 18, 2024 17:29 JST
| 
Fujitsu and SAP Fioneer enter partnership to accelerate digital transformation in the insurance industry and deliver services that contribute to customers' sustainable business
Nov 18, 2024 12:31 JST
| 
Expanding Possibilities with the Liquid Hydrogen-Powered GR Corolla in the Season Final Round
Nov 18, 2024 09:25 JST
|
COP29: Indonesian Special Envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo Announces EUR 1,2 Billion Green Funding
Nov 16, 2024 18:00 JST
| 
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Holds Christening and Launch Ceremony of LNG-Powered Roll-on/Roll-off Ship TRANS HARMONY EMERALD in Shimonoseki
Nov 15, 2024 18:58 JST
| 
Nationwide TV Commercial Launched in Japan to Raise Awareness About MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)
Nov 15, 2024 17:33 JST
|
Eisai Receives Positive Opinion from the CHMP in the European Union for Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer's Disease
Nov 15, 2024 14:31 JST
| 
Resorttrust Group and Mitsubishi Corporation Launch Joint Study in Medical Tourism
Nov 15, 2024 12:32 JST
|
Fujitsu collaborates with global suppliers in decarbonization initiative to exchange product-level primary data on CO2 emissions
Nov 15, 2024 10:13 JST
| 
TANAKA Successfully Develops the World's First[1] Manufacturing Technology for Platinum Materials with Nano-Sized Crystal Grains
Nov 15, 2024 04:00 JST
|
myBillBook Leverages CleverTap to Elevate Customer Engagement and Drive Revenue Growth
Nov 14, 2024 20:00 JST
| 
ULVAC Launches Oil Rotary Vacuum Pump Gv135
Nov 14, 2024 10:00 JST
|
MHI Publishes MHI REPORT 2024
Nov 13, 2024 16:52 JST
|
SoftBank Corp. and Fujitsu Strengthen Partnership for Realization of AI-RAN Commercialization
Nov 13, 2024 12:38 JST
|
Predictive Heart Monitoring Startup, GPx, Secures New Investment From NEC X; Joins Elev X! Boost Venture Studio Program
Nov 13, 2024 12:05 JST
|
NEC receives order for next-generation supercomputer system from Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology and National Institute for Fusion Science
Nov 13, 2024 11:16 JST
| 
All-New Triton Wins Special Award at the RJC Car of the Year for 2025
Nov 12, 2024 22:09 JST
|
Toyota: HySE to participate in the Dakar 2025 "Mission 1000 ACT2" with the HySE-X2, to tackle further technical challenges
Nov 12, 2024 20:04 JST
|
NEC participates in COP29 climate change conference
Nov 12, 2024 19:25 JST
|
More Latest Release >>
|