Vehicle-integrated solar technology could reduce charging demand while accelerating fleet electrification, according to a new report.

Onboard solar technology is critical to building resilient fleet operations

Findings from the SolarMoves project commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) show that widespread vehicle solar adoption could reduce demand on Europe’s electricity grid by 15.6TWh (Terawatt-hours) annually – enough electricity to power more than four million homes for a year.

The project, which was commissioned to better understand how vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) technology could help reduce charging demand, also shows how such technology is critical to building resilient commercial fleet operations.

The findings confirm what UK onboard energy specialist Genie Insights is experiencing on the ground. The company reports a sharp rise in demand for solar installations across vans, trucks and trailers to alleviate the power strain caused by modern ancillary vehicle systems.

As onboard electrical demands continue to increase, fleet operators are facing a growing challenge with vehicle systems such as telematics, cameras, safety equipment, refrigeration units and connected technologies increasing demands on vehicle batteries. At the same time, operators are under pressure to maximise vehicle uptime, improve operational efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Vehicle-integrated solar offers a practical way to address these challenges by capturing available energy directly from the vehicle’s surface and using it to support onboard electrical systems.

Major UK fleets, including Network Rail and BT Openreach, are already using Genie Insights’ solar solutions to support battery health, maintain uptime and cut down carbon emissions.

Genie Insights has successfully deployed more than 15,000 solar systems across commercial vehicle fleets in the UK and Europe. The company views the SolarMoves research as a major validation of a shift toward smarter, decentralised vehicle energy management.

Matt Reeve, managing director, said: “Electrification is often framed as a challenge that can only be solved through larger batteries and expanded charging infrastructure. While those elements are important, we believe there is an equally important opportunity to generate energy where it is needed.

“Commercial vehicles spend every day exposed to daylight and equipping them with vehicle-integrated solar allows operators to capture some of that energy and put it to work supporting onboard systems, improving reliability and reducing unnecessary demand on vehicle batteries.

“Having deployed more than 15,000 systems across commercial fleets, it’s encouraging to see independent European research highlighting the potential of an approach that many UK fleets are already successfully adopting today.”

As vehicle technology continues to evolve, Genie Insights believes that integrated energy solutions combining solar generation, battery technology and intelligent energy management will play an increasingly important role in supporting reliable, efficient and resilient commercial fleet operations.

To access the full report findings, click here.