Audi And Hanergy Team Up To Create Solar Roof For Cars

We’re not sure if Audi was directly inspired by the Sion announcement from Sono Motors back in July, but the German car manufacturer have just revealed that it too will be using solar panels to help power one of its future electric vehicles.

Partnering with Alta Devices, a subsidiary of Chinese solar cell firm Hanergy, Audi is developing a panoramic glass roof of solar panels that will provide power for non-essential car systems, such as seat heaters and air conditioning. By utilizing an alternative source of energy for these systems, it will free up the main electric power systems, which will result in an increased range for the vehicle.

For Audi, range is of key importance, as it explained in a statement from Audi Board of Management Member for Procurement Dr. Bernd Martens. “The range of electric cars plays a decisive role for our customers. Together with Alta Devices and Hanergy, we plan to install innovative solar technology in our electric cars that will extend their range and is also sustainable.”

What’s the cost of that extra range? Is it better than putting in more batteries and powering the car with home solar energy? Audi didn’t say.

First Prototype Ready by End of 2017

In time, it is planned that the solar cells will be incorporated to cover the entire roof of the car to create as much energy as practically possible. The ultimate goal is to be able to harness enough solar energy to directly charge the traction battery of the vehicle, which would be a breakthrough for Dr. Bernd Martens. “That would be a milestone along the way to achieving sustainable, emission-free mobility,” he stated.

The first prototype of the vehicle will be ready by the end of 2017. As yet, there’s no indication of when it would enter mass production, but Audi has stated that it wants to have three fully electric vehicles on the market by 2020, and to have a third of all its vehicles covered with fully or partially electric drivetrains by 2025.

This move towards solar coupled with its foray into Formula E further displays Audi’s commitment to electric vehicles as the future of the automotive industry. When the future arrives is the remaining question.

Musk Says Tesla Solar Roof Will Cost Less Than A Conventional Roof

Elon Musk was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement after the official shareholders meeting approving the merger of Tesla Motors and SolarCity ended. Before the question and answer session could begin, he told the audience that he had some “amazing stuff” to tell them.

Almost everything Elon says is amazing, so what had him so excited? Simply this: He announced that the cost of a Tesla glass tile solar roof would actually be equal to or slightly less than a conventional roof. And no, that is not after deducting the value of the electricity it generates over the next 20 years or so. That is right now, today, as soon as it is installed. Elon, you’re right, that is amazing stuff!

How is that possible? Elon explained to the audience that a lot of it has to do with the current supply chain for roofing materials, which he said is incredibly inefficient. It turns out, the glass tiles weigh up to 80% less than conventional roofing materials, especially ceramic tile or concrete tiles. Both of those are very popular in many locations around the world, especially southern California and the Mediterranean countries. Not only do the Tesla glass tiles weigh less, they are less fragile, which means less loss for breakage.

Much of the cost of conventional roofing materials can be attributed to shipping all that weight over long distances. And, as Musk said last month during the grand unveiling for the solar roof, glass is basically sand and sand is super cheap.

Not every tile on every roof will have a high-efficiency solar cell embedded into it. Some sections will be unsuitable for producing solar power either because they face the wrong direction or are shaded during all or part of a day.

But, says Musk, it will be impossible to tell the tiles apart from below once they are installed. That is partly because of the tiny plastic micro-louvers built into them that make for a uniform appearance from below.

Now that Tesla and SolarCity will be one company (SolarCity will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Tesla), Musk says that a homeowner will be able to walk into any Tesla store to sign up for a solar roof. “Say ‘yes,’ it happens, it’s seamless, and you love it!” he told his audience.

Installations will begin this summer. The most popular tiles will be offered first — the choices are Tuscan, Slate, Textured Glass, and Smooth Glass — with the other three styles being released approximately 3 months apart later. Given the cost and the utility savings, Musk asks, “Why wouldn’t you?” Why not, indeed.

Toyota Prius Prime Gets Solar Roof, But Not In US

The new Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, called Prius Prime in the US, comes with a full length solar panel on the roof that helps recharge the car’s lithium ion battery when the car is parked. It also powers such things as air conditioning, power steering, power windows, and interior lighting while the car is being driven.

In an odd twist, the solar panel is manufactured in the United States but cannot be used on US-spec cars because it does not meet federal rollover crash standards. It tends to shatter in US testing protocols, but does meet standards in Asia and Europe.

Koji Toyoshima, chief engineer of the Prius plug-in, tells Automotive News that Toyota aims to introduce the panels in the U.S. Toyoshima said engineers are working on a solution so that it can introduce the solar panels to the U.S. version.

“We would like to introduce this, at least in the lifetime of the current model,” the chief engineer said at the car’s Japan debut. “It should be possible to do a lot of charging this way in places like California or Arizona.”

The automaker has been working on solar roof technology for several years. The Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper reported secret development as long ago as 2009. The third generation Prius had an optional solar roof, but it only powered the ventilation fan when the car was parked.

Toyota has been late to the plug-in hybrid party, as it concentrated its attention on burnishing the luster of its regular hybrid. The fourth generation Toyota Prius was recently rated as the non-plug-in car with the highest fuel economy ever tested by Consumer Reports.

Sales of the Prius have been disappointing of late, with low gasoline prices taking the focus off fuel economy for many car buyers. But when it comes to squeezing every ounce of energy out of a gallon of gasoline, Toyota is at the forefront of the automotive industry.