Can new energy vehicles use solar power?

　　Can new energy vehicles use solar energy? It is true that new energy vehicles can use solar energy, but currently it is used more as an auxiliary charging method than as a primary energy source. In terms of technical principle, the installation of solar panels on new energy vehicles can convert solar energy into electricity to charge the vehicle’s battery and increase range.

　　Solar panels can be installed on the roof, body, windows and other locations, like solar range extender, usually installed on the roof, boot or body, can maximise the use of sunlight, will be converted into electricity and stored in the car battery, when the battery is insufficient, these stored energy can provide additional power for the car.

　　Solar power generation is relatively inefficient, even when installed on the roof and hatch, the conversion efficiency usually only reaches about 18%, and when the light intensity is weak, the amount of power generated will be significantly reduced. In order to generate enough electricity, a large area of solar panels is required, but the surface area of the car is limited, and it is difficult to install large area of high-efficiency solar panels without affecting the vehicle’s exterior design, wind resistance coefficient and other factors.

　　The price of high-quality solar panels and related supporting equipment is not low, but the charging benefits brought about are relatively limited, resulting in low cost-effectiveness. Solar power is greatly affected by the weather, and the charging effect will be greatly reduced in areas with more cloudy days.

　　Can new energy vehicles use solar power? Despite the challenges, solar technology still has some application prospects in the field of new energy vehicles. The efficiency of solar panels is gradually improving, and the cost is gradually decreasing. Some automakers have begun to try to apply solar technology to new energy vehicles as a form of auxiliary charging, extending vehicle range to a certain extent and reducing reliance on traditional charging facilities.