Nissan created a nifty solar panel system for its popular Sakura electric car. The “Ao-Solar Extender” is a new solar system that can be extended and mounted on the roof. Its purpose is to use the sun’s energy. This system was developed in-house to make owning an electric vehicle more convenient and less reliant on the electric power network.
The company says this setup can generate enough solar electricity each year to power up to 3,000 km (more than 1,800 miles) of driving. The solar power generated by the system could almost completely replace grid charging for many Sakura owners, who primarily use their cars for short trips like errands and school runs.
The genius of the nifty solar panel
This smartly designed nifty solar panel can charge the car while it’s driving and while it’s parked. A fixed panel on the roof collects solar energy even when the car is moving. When the car is parked, an extra panel is pulled from storage. This action increases the solar surface area, boosting the system’s power generation potential to about 500 watts.
The larger panel does more than generate electricity; it also provides shade by blocking direct sunlight from hitting the windshield. This helps keep the cabin cooler, which means the air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard.
Nissan designed the whole system to fit with the Sakura’s look and reduce aerodynamic drag. In 2021, this solar project was submitted to Nissan’s internal idea contest. It is a wonderful example of how the company plans to offer new and long-lasting ways to get around.
In conclusion, the nifty solar system provides a free driving range and serves as an emergency power source during disasters. Nissan has said that the Ao-Solar Extender will be available as a commercial product in the future. More information will be released later.
