Zeelandia SolarOnTop

From consumers to producers: SolarMoves proves solar-powered trucks are changing the energy game

Vehicle-integrated photovoltaics help fleets reduce energy use, ease grid pressure and improve operational resilience

Solar-powered trucks and trailers reduce energy demand and relieve pressure on Europe’s constrained electricity grids. That is the key finding of the SolarMoves project, delivering one of the first large-scale, real-world validations of vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) in commercial transport.

The conclusion is based on more than 1.3 million kilometres of measured data across Europe, showing that generating energy directly on vehicles using solar panels significantly reduces reliance on external electricity and fuel, especially in logistics, where auxiliary energy demand is high.

The impact is already visible in practice. SolarMoves shows that:

• Electric trucks increase their daily range without charging by up to 15%
• Trailers generate up to 55 kWh per day, and 90–110 kWh with side panels
• Overall energy demand and grid pressure are significantly reduced

As a key partner in the project, IM Efficiency, developer of SolarOnTop, the solar technology for trucks and trailers, played a central role in validating these results in real-world fleet operations by equipping customer vehicles with sensors alongside its solar systems; SolarOnTop, generating the data behind these findings.

This insight is critical for transport companies: reducing energy demand at vehicle level enables fleets to electrify despite grid constraints, while improving operational reliability and cost efficiency.

Reducing the growing demand for electricity

Grid operators are working to expand electricity networks, but the capacity of cables, transformers, and substations is struggling to keep pace with demand. Across Europe, companies face delays in electrifying their logistics due to limited grid capacity.

VIPV offers a practical way to reduce this pressure. By generating solar energy directly on vehicle surfaces such as roofs and sides, it reduces reliance on external energy without requiring additional land or infrastructure.

For passenger vehicles, SolarMoves shows that VIPV can significantly reduce charging needs. In Central Europe, cars may generate up to 55% of their annual energy demand, increasing to 80% in Southern Europe, depending on driving patterns.

For commercial transport, the opportunity is even greater. Trucks, vans, buses and trailers combine large usable surfaces with high energy demand for refrigeration, HVAC, and auxiliary systems, making them ideal for solar integration. SolarOnTop, the solar technology for trucks and trailers, is already installed on more than 120 trailers across Europe, delivering a measurable impact in reducing energy consumption.

Proven impact for logistics

For logistics operators, VIPV delivers clear operational and financial benefits.

SolarMoves shows that:

• Electric trucks can increase their daily range without charging by up to 15%
• Trailers can generate up to 55 kWh per day, and 90–110 kWh with side panels
• Auxiliary systems can run on solar energy, reducing fuel use and emissions

For diesel-powered fleets, solar integration reduces fuel consumption for onboard systems such as heating, cooling, and refrigeration. This lowers costs, reduces engine idling and cuts emissions and noise. In some cases, investment costs can be recovered within 1–2 years.

Addressing grid constraints

Grid congestion is increasingly becoming a bottleneck for transport electrification. Many fleet operators face delays in depot expansion due to limited grid capacity.

VIPV provides a complementary solution by reducing the amount of energy drawn from the grid. By generating energy directly on vehicles, it helps spread demand more evenly and lowers peak loads at depots. This makes fleets less dependent on external infrastructure and improves resilience.

Proven with real-world data

A key strength of SolarMoves is its combination of modelling and real-world validation. More than 1.3 million kilometres of solar irradiation data were collected across Europe using sensor-equipped vehicles.

IM Efficiency contributed to this work through commercial vehicle measurement campaigns. The results confirm that VIPV can deliver meaningful energy contributions in practice, while also highlighting the importance of real-world factors such as shading, parking behaviour, and vehicle usage.

https://imefficiency.com/article/solarmoves-solar-trucks-reduce-energy-demand