The world of solar solutions is continuously evolving, developing, and expanding with boundless potential. Recent advancements have moved beyond classic installations of solar arrays for homes, and solar companies are venturing into the fascinating field of solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs). Visualize a world where you zoom down highways in a car powered merely by radiance directly from our most abundant, renewable, and clean energy source – the sun. The prospect is electrifying, right?
Solar electric vehicles or solar cars are novel pieces of technology that are equipped with solar panels. They offer an environmentally friendly way of traveling that reduces our dependence on the conventional electric vehicle charging stations. The idea might seem futuristic, but it’s already becoming a reality. Several solar companies have pre-production models and countless reservations from eagerly awaiting customers.
However, the success of these pioneering projects and the viability of solar cars lies in the quality, performance, and longevity of the solar panels. International Standards are in place managed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to provide explicit specifications and recommendations to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of these products, services, and systems. The compliance with designated standards is evaluated through conformity assessments. This helps not only in setting a common ground for interoperability, efficiency, safety, and overall reliability but also in preventing the circulation of fake or low-quality components.
The creation of solar standards facilitates systems to convert solar energy into electric power. For instance, the IEC 60904 series of standards cover the requirements and measurements necessary for photovoltaic (PV) devices and its components. Continuing to stride ahead, the IEC has formed a project team for Vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) systems to foster even more fascinating solar tech advancements.
VIPV systems pose different challenges due to the dynamic nature of their operating environment. Unlike solar panels for your home, which remain static, the solar panels on a vehicle encounter drastic changes in sunlight exposure based on the vehicle’s motion. Hence, there’s a need for advanced tech to quickly respond and compensate for the shifting power output as the vehicle moves from shade to sunlight (or vice versa).
And these aren’t the only challenges. Environmental and mechanical load tests add to the mix as well. Standard PV devices are designed to dampen vibrations occurring at certain frequencies typical for architectural structures. However, the frequency of vehicular roof vibrations, well above the typical, imposes significant stress on the PV modules. These all result in a complex environment for VIPV technology—one that calls for detailed, comprehensive standards and guidelines for manufacturers to follow.
But remember, every hurdle overcome leads us to more practical, efficient, and advance solar solutions. The very standards and procedures examined for VIPV technology may also translate to other scenarios—like drones, high-altitude platform stations, and peculiarly set PV power plants.
In the grand scheme of things, the solar industry continues to forge forward while discovering diverse and novel ways to harness solar power. It’s a bright future, where innovative solar companies work relentlessly to create advanced, efficient, and affordable solar solutions for all of us. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in this dynamic field.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/04/30/iec-develops-standards-for-vehicle-integrated-photovoltaics/
