CAPSolar makes an industrial vehicle off-grid for 4 months with its solar panel system
11 Sep 2023
At the Texas plant of one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, CAPSolar took on an ambitious challenge: increasing the range of their industrial transport vehicles, which were limited by frequent recharges and underdeveloped infrastructure. The project focused on designing and installing 20 solar panels, each generating 280W, for a total of 5,600W, on the roofs of the vehicle’s trailers. The goal was clear: optimize logistics and reduce operational costs.
From the start, we worked closely with the client to understand the usage of their vehicles, specific needs, and goals. One of the main challenges was maintaining a slim profile for the panels, which led us to develop a custom, compact, and "low profile" system tailored to the client's operational constraints. The system was also designed to be lightweight and modular, making installation, dismantling, and maintenance easy.
We supported the client throughout the process, including design, engineering, mechanical and electrical construction, and data management integration into their operations. After the system installation, remote monitoring was implemented to ensure optimal panel performance.
The result? CAPSolar created a complete system combining electronics and mechanics, capable of generating an average of 13 kWh of energy per day throughout the year, with peaks exceeding 17 kWh in the summer. The vehicle, which previously required one to two daily recharges, now operates autonomously for three to four months. This success has encouraged our client to consider further projects with us, convinced by the direct impact on their logistics chain and the cost savings achieved.
This project highlights CAPSolar's commitment to working closely with clients to deliver custom solar solutions, innovate, and transform the solar industry, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient solutions for electric vehicles. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and pushing the boundaries of solar technology.