Local centric energy estimate model for clean and affordable power generation in a solar integrated passenger vehicle

Abstract

Clean energy generation from Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaic (VIPV) technology is prudent to foster future smart transportation in passenger cars. A VIPV vehicle remits a reliable energy generation scenario in static and dynamic modes. The estimation of irradiance hovering over a vehicle's surface exposure metrics is based on the diurnal sun-path at the local centric coordinate system (LCCS). By inferring the locations' analemma curve, the irradiance patterns can be derived. Literature reports that the irradiance patterns on a parked static vehicle (PSV) are unexplored till date, particularly under southern Indian conditions. In this study, we propose an LCCS for a static vehicle to understand the irradiance over the vehicle when parked in two different cardinal orientations at Vellore (12.9717° N, 79.1654° E), India. Further, experiments were conducted over a PSV facing due south of the location to validate the theoretical claims and factual irradiance patterns. The results reveal that theoretical observations and energy estimates were in proximity with experimental measurements by a deviation of <15 %. An estimated solar potential energy yield of up to 1.66 to 2.09 kWh per day can be attained from a PSV when integrated with thin-film flexible solar modules over the lateral surfaces.