Solar trailers take the stage at IAA Transportation, with our organization unveiling four innovative premieres.
Sono Solar's Solar Bus Kit and Refrigerated Trailers Showcased at IAA Transportation
Munich-based solar mobility OEM, Sono Group N.V., is set to make its debut at IAA Transportation, showcasing its innovative Solar Bus Kit and solar solutions for buses, electric transporters, and refrigerated vehicles.
The Solar Bus Kit, an efficient retrofit solution, is optimized for the most common 12-meter public transport bus types on the European market. This system installs 16 solar panels on the roof of buses, connecting them to a solar charge controller and low voltage battery system to generate and store solar energy. This energy assists in powering the bus or its auxiliary systems.
The kit also offers significant environmental benefits. By harnessing renewable solar energy, buses can reduce their reliance on traditional fossil fuels or grid electricity that may come from non-renewable sources. This results in a lower carbon footprint, particularly in urban areas where air pollution and CO2 from public transportation are major concerns.
Sono Group is also presenting its in-house developed solar charge controller, the MCU (MPPT Central Unit), for the first time at a public event.
In addition to buses, the company is showcasing solar solutions for refrigerated trailers from CHEREAU, KÖGEL, and MTTE. These trailers feature customized vehicle-applied solar solutions that aim to cover a significant portion of their energy needs. For instance, full solar integration on the roof and sides of a 40t semi-truck trailer from CHEREAU is expected to cover up to 50% of the cooling units' yearly average energy needs.
The Wingliner show trailer, with a total power installed of 3.43kWp and a solar area of approximately 25 m2 (roof only), has 16 modules. It is estimated to generate an annual average energy earnings of 8.6 kWh/day in Munich. Similarly, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Transport Europe GmbH 40t semi-truck trailer, refrigerated, has a total power installed of 4.68 kilowatt peak, 26 modules, and a solar area of approximately 26 m2 (roof only). It uses the MITSUBISHI TFV150 cooling unit and is expected to generate an annual average energy earnings of 11.8 kWh/day in Munich. The Kögel 40t semi-truck trailer, refrigerated, has the same specifications as the Mitsubishi trailer and uses the Vector HE 19 (Carrier) all-electric cooling unit.
By integrating solar panels directly onto existing vehicles, Sono Solar's solutions help make public transport and logistics more sustainable without the need for entirely new EV infrastructure. This contributes to climate protection efforts and the reduction of inner-city greenhouse gas emissions.
The Solar Bus Kit, with its potential to save up to 1,500 liters of diesel and up to 4 tonnes of CO2 per bus per year, presents an attractive proposition for bus fleet operators. With a potential payback time of approximately 3-4 years, depending on days in operation and fuel prices, the benefits of solar integration are clear.
Sono Solar’s solutions will also be presented at Innotrans in Berlin, the leading international trade fair for transport technology.
[1] Sono Solar's Solar Bus Kit: A Comprehensive Solar Integration Solution for Commercial Vehicles [2] Sono Group N.V.: Providing Complete Solar Solutions for Commercial Vehicles [3] Solar Bus Kit: Contributing to Climate Protection and Reduction of Inner-city Greenhouse Gas Emissions [4] Solar Bus Kit: Making Public Transport More Sustainable Without the Need for New EV Infrastructure [5] Solar Bus Kit: Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Bus Fleets and Contributing to Climate Protection Efforts
- By installing the Solar Bus Kit on buses, Sono Solar is providing a technology solution that not only aids in powering buses and auxiliary systems but also contributes to reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels and lowering carbon footprints.
- At IAA Transportation, Sono Solar is showcasing solar solutions for refrigerated trailers, offering an innovative technology that aims to cover a significant portion of the energy needs for these vehicles, thereby making logistics more sustainable without the need for entirely new EV infrastructure.
