On the occasion of the recently marked Clean Energy Day, Nissan presented an innovative concept model of its electric car Ariya, equipped with an advanced system of solar panels built into the roof. The project is the result of a collaboration between engineers from Dubai and Barcelona, with technological support from the Dutch company Lightyear.
The solar system uses 3.8 m² of high-efficiency photovoltaic cells integrated into the bonnet, roof and tailgate, converting sunlight directly into direct current. The main goal of the concept is to explore the possibility of reducing dependence on external charging infrastructure. With the help of an advanced controller that optimizes energy consumption, the vehicle gains greater autonomy and lower owning and driving costs. This approach is aligned with Nissan’s long-term vision of achieving carbon neutrality throughout the entire product life cycle by 2050.
Encouraging results
Test results in real conditions show the significant potential of this technology. In ideal sunny conditions, the system can provide up to 23 kilometers of additional range per day. The average results vary depending on the location, so in Barcelona the vehicle generates about 17.6 km per day, while in extremely sunny areas such as Dubai, this number increases to 21.2 km. Even in cities with less sun, such as London, an average of 10.2 km per day was recorded.
In addition to the daily reach, the system significantly affects the frequency of filling at public filling stations. According to calculations, drivers could reduce the need for classic charging by 35 to 65 percent, depending on the intensity of vehicle use. For example, during a two-hour drive of 80 kilometers, the system can produce 0.5 kWh of clean energy, which adds approximately three kilometers of free range without any emissions.
Initial long-haul tests, including a 1,550-kilometer trip between the Netherlands and Barcelona, showed even better performance. For drivers who cover about 6,000 kilometers a year, the integration of solar panels could reduce the number of trips to the filling station from 23 to only eight a year.
This Ariya concept model is not only a technology demonstrator, but a key step in Nissan’s clean energy strategy. The focus on integrated solar solutions opens up new opportunities for regions with limited charging infrastructure, giving drivers greater freedom of movement. By developing such technologies, the Japanese manufacturer continues the transformation of electric vehicles into self-sustaining systems that actively use renewable energy sources. However, for now they are not revealing when solar panels could be found in their production models.