A panoramic glass roof embedded with solar cells is under development by Audi and its partner Alta Devices. The first prototype is now only months away, the German company claims.
Alta Devices, a subsidiary of Chinese solar-cell specialist Hanergy, is working with Audi towards a goal of increasing the range of the company’s forthcoming e-tron electric models.
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Audi and Hanergy say they intend to integrate Alta Devices’ thin-film solar cells into a panoramic glass roof. Eventually, almost the entire roof surface is to be covered with these cells. Harvested electricity will then flow into the car’s electrical system. This could power the A/C system or seat heaters, Audi says, which in turn adds range to an electric vehicle.
“The range of electric cars plays a decisive role for our customers. Together with Hanergy, we plan to install innovative solar technology in our electric cars that will extend their range and is also sustainable,” stated Bernd Martens, who is the member for Procurement on Audi AG’s board of management.
At a later stage, solar energy could directly charge the traction battery. “That would be a milestone along the way to achieving sustainable, emission-free mobility,” continued Martens.
The solar cells which are being tested have a claimed efficiency of more than 25 per cent and are said to be very thin and flexible. Furthermore they reportedly perform very well in conditions of low light and high temperature.
Ding Jian, senior vice president of Hanergy Thin Film Power Group Limited, CEO of Alta Devices, Inc. and co-leader of the Audi/Hanergy Thin Film Solar Cell Research and Development Project, said: “This partnership with Audi is Alta Devices’ first cooperation with a high-end auto brand. By combining Alta’s continuing breakthroughs in solar technology and Audi’s drive toward a sustainable mobility of the future, we will shape the solar car of the future”.
Audi’s first series production electric model is due to enter production at its Forest plant in Brussels in 2018. This will be a crossover and may be called, simply, Audi e-tron.
