Future Options for Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules in Electrical Passenger Cars

Sehyeon Kim, Markus Holz, Soojin Park, Yongbeum Yoon, Eunchel Cho and Junsin Yi
Additional contact information
Sehyeon Kim: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
Markus Holz: Department of Economics Program Director Logistic & Air Traffic Management, Anhalt of University of Applied Science, 06406 Bernburg, Germany
Soojin Park: KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School, Ulsan 45014, Korea
Yongbeum Yoon: KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School, Ulsan 45014, Korea
Eunchel Cho: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
Junsin Yi: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-7

Abstract: Twenty-three percent of carbon emissions come from fossil fuels used in transportation. Electric vehicles are suggested as alternatives to fossil-fueled vehicles. Cars having vehicle integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) on the roof have recently been launched, aiming to increase fuel efficiency and increase maximum mileage by supplying electricity to the vehicle when needed. VIPV needs to be light in terms of efficiency. The use of polymeric materials, made of low-iron tempered glass on the front that contributes significantly to the module’s weight, is required instead. The use of a sandwich structure with polymer material achieves nine times stiffer rigidity than an aluminum sheet of the same weight. It can be used with a weight that is half that of glass through the lightweight and light-transmitting polymer material on the front side. The concentrator photovoltaic module structure is used to compensate for various angles of incidence on a moving car, and it is advantageous because it is easy to apply and has a low weight owing to its excellent flexibility. It is possible to reduce the weight from 20 kg to less than 10 kg by limiting the use of glass.

Keywords: photovoltaics; VIPV; energy; electrical car; lightweight module carbon emission (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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