With the development of solar energy in various aspects.Install solar panels on trucks. This helps charge the battery, saving time and fuel during operation. Besides equipping trucks with solar panels to power batteries during driver's down time versus running the engines, Marten also installed solar inside and outside at all 14 of their terminals, Ashley Gray, Sales project Coordinator for Marten, said in an email.
According to a 2018 report, solar is providing additional battery support for the trailer's lift, telematics and refrigeration units. Solar energy can also be used in terminals, offices and other equipment. Rush Enterprises, a Truck Retailer said in an email that our company began manufacturing solar garages for vehicles in 2019. The garage site will be fully operational in June 2020.
Who is using solar energy?
Solar power is one way to provide additional battery support for trailer lifts, telematics and refrigeration units, according to a 2018 report by the North American Freight Efficiency Council. Some truck retailers see solar as a good way to reduce energy consumption. The best way for trucks to reduce energy consumption. Truck-related companies say the use of new energy in trucks is a good trend. Not only will it help reduce the truck's energy trend, but it will also reduce the risk of hail damage to new vehicles. According to the report, With 3,500 solar panels installed on six carports in The San Antonio, Texas, Trucking Center, Rush can protect up to 181 Class 8 commercial vehicles, said Weaver. Owner-operator Albert Transport in Laredo, Texas, tapped into solar power to keep its batteries charged in its tractors, according to NACFE's report. That created comfort for drivers, as the cab air conditioning continued to function for a longer period of time before the engine needed to be started while the driver waited at the dock.
Mesilla Valley Transportation with corporate headquarters in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was also mentioned in the report as a solar user. The trucking firm found it lessened the need for jumpstarts and service calls for trucks.
How do trucks use solar energy?
For tractors, the sun keeps the battery-powered heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems charged. It also helps support hotel loads during times the engine is off. On the trucks, The roof fairings provide access to sunlight if that area isn't already being used for branding or built-in skylights.Lithium-ion batteries pack a lot of power in a small footprint and last six to 10 times longer than a regular battery and can be drained to 100%," said Chandrani. "Pair those with solar, and you can eliminate idling.
For big fleets with their own warehouses, solar panels on the roof can make a lot of sense for helping to power the warehouse operation, said Kevin Otto, Electrification technical lead for NACFE.
Solar energy can't directly power anything, but it's the source of the battery charge. It helps to replenish batteries quickly, thus extending the time that electronics and appliances are in operation. As batteries become more efficient and cost less, the efficiency of using them will improve, and there will definitely be more opportunities to use solar energy in trucks in the future.
