Hyundai, Kia to Introduce Solar Roof Charging

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors plan to introduce solar charging on certain vehicles after 2019 to help meet global regulatory targets and improve vehicle efficiency, the South Korea-based automakers have announced.

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October 31, 2018

Hyundai, Kia to Introduce Solar Roof Charging — Hyundai and Kia will offer a solar roor charging system with certain vehicles after 2019.
Photo courtesy of Hyundai.

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The system would be embedded in the roof or the hood of the vehicle to support its main power source as a strategy for improving mileage and reducing carbon-dioxide emissions. The system could be used to charge battery-electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as vehicles with internal combustion engines.

Hyundai Motor Group is developing three types of solar charging systems, including a first-generation silicon solar roof system, a second-generation semi-transparent solar roof system, and a third-generation lightweight solar lid on the vehicle's body.

Hyundai estimates that a 100-watt solar panel could produce 100 watts per hour of energy in 1 Sun standards (Summer noon, 1000 W/㎡ intensity of radiation). The generated power is converted to standard voltage bu a voltage controller and stored in the battery or used to lower loads from the vehicle's AC generator.

Topics:Kia Alternative Fuels Solar Power Hyundai Green Fleet

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