Development of Commercially Feasible Solar-charged Electric Vehicles

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are a leading solution for reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. While EVs are far more efficient than conventional vehicles, they are agnostic to the carbon footprint of the electricity supply. Thus, the transportation sector will only become decarbonized when the utility-level electricity supply is decarbonized. The goal of the proposed project is to work towards decarbonizing the transportation sector by developing a commercially feasible solar-charged EV that obtains a portion of its daily driving energy directly from the sun, with solar cells seamlessly integrated onto the vehicle as the renewable energy supply, and using the automotive battery for built-in energy storage. Though some large automotive manufacturers are exploring small vehicle-rooftop solar panels, this project proposes a new paradigm with low-cost thin-film solar cells integrated directly onto the automotive steel of all upward-facing vehicle surfaces (hood, roof, and trunk) to obtain significant benefits for drivers (increased range and reduced charging costs), the electric grid (reduced charging needs), and the environment. This project will (i) develop a mass-manufacturing proof of concept process to grow thin-film solar cells on steel, (ii) develop an optimized power electronic architecture to maximize solar energy stored in the battery, and (iii) develop an algorithm to optimize the solar cell design with the electrical architecture. General Motors Canada Company and General Motors Company (GM) will contribute to the project by providing critical insight into the manufacturing processes that must be aligned with solar integration. This project will benefit Canada in three ways: (i) produce highly-skilled personnel trained in the areas of solar energy, power electronics, and optimization, (ii) increase GM's competitive advantage in sustainable EV technology, which can enhance the sustainable aspects of Canadian EV production (GM's plans to convert Ontario's CAMI plant to produce commercial EVs is a testament of GM's commitment to putting EVs on the road), and (iii) help support development of solar-charged EVs in Canada, with the associated benefits to drivers, the grid, and the environment.