Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled a list of research programs and future technologies it's working on, including a "new kind of solar paint" that could "generate enough electricity for more than 12,000 km per year". While integrating solar panels into vehicles is an existing concept that is being examined by several automotive companies, this "solar paint" seems to hint at something a bit different: a coating that could be used for the entire surface of the car, to capture solar energy.
Image credit: Mercedes Benz
Solar paint is not a new idea, but an actual implementation of such a coating in the automotive space is yet to be seen - which seems to be what Mercedes-Benz is referring to as part of a new "Pioneering innovations for the car of the future" presentation outlining key research programs it's working on. Of course, Mercedes-Benz does not specify the exact PV technology under development, but it stands to reason that it is possibly perovskite-based technology, due to factors like the specified efficiency level, thickness, lack of rare earths and silicon, and the claimed low cost of the solar paint.
According to the Mercedes-Benz announcement, the solar paint will be 5 micrometers thick, weigh just 50 grams per square meter and "packed full of energy". Mercedes-Benz is researching a new type of solar modules that could be seamlessly applied to the bodywork of electric vehicles – similar to a wafer-thin layer of paste. The active photovoltaic surface can be applied to any substrate. The solar cells have a high efficiency of 20%. An area of 11 square meters (equivalent to the surface of a mid-size SUV) could produce energy for up to 12,000 kilometers a year under ideal conditions. The energy generated by the solar cells is used for driving or fed directly into the high-voltage battery. The photovoltaic system is permanently active and also generates energy when the vehicle is switched off - which could be a highly effective solution for increased electric range and fewer charging stops.
The yield, according to the automaker, depends on levels of shade, the intensity of the sun and geographical location. By way of example: Statistically, Mercedes-Benz drivers in Stuttgart, Germany cover an average of 52 kilometers a day. Around 62% of this distance would be covered using solar energy. In Los Angeles, there is even a surplus of energy from solar radiation. The customer could cover 100% of their driving distance on average by solar energy. The surplus achieved could be fed directly into the home network via bidirectional charging.
The solar paint not only has a high level of efficiency. It contains no rare earths and no silicon, only non-toxic and readily available raw materials. It is easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules. The Mercedes-Benz research department is currently working to enable use of the new solar paint on all exterior vehicle surfaces – regardless of their shape and angle.
