SOLAR-MOVE
Electric vehicles (EVs) play a crucial role in the shift towards sustainable mobility. However, as road transport becomes electrified, it puts additional pressure on power grids. To address this challenge and facilitate the adoption of EVs, the SOLAR-MOVE project aims to propose and develop Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaic (VIPV) solutions.
The transport sector is responsible for approximately 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with about 90-95% of the energy consumed coming from fossil fuels. Road transport accounts for the largest share of this energy consumption, followed by aviation and maritime transport.
To achieve the EU’s climate goals, the electrification of the sector is crucial and urgent. The EV sector is rapidly advancing, but it faces several challenges, including ensuring the reliability and durability of batteries, minimising their weight and volume, maintaining the highest safety standards, and addressing their impact on power grids.
The SOLAR-MOVE project aims to support the widespread adoption of EVs by exploring the potential of integrated photovoltaic solutions. It will focus on tailored solutions in various types of vehicles to extend their range and reduce dependence on grid energy.
Running from November 2025 to April 2029, the project will propose and demonstrate several solutions for four main VIPV systems addressing the majority of road transportation usage namely in cities, in residential and service buildings, in passenger transportation, and on highways.
To this end, the demonstrations include, five types of VIPVs: Heavy-Duty vehicles with solar panels on trailers, garbage trucks, passenger buses, Last-Mile delivery vehicles, and motorhomes. Additionally, it will also implement five types of Electric Vehicle Compliant Parking Lot Integrated PV (ePIPV), charging stations with photovoltaic panels. These charging stations will have different features: on highways, opportunity charging for e-Buses, municipal ePIPVs, public ePIPVs in commercial areas, and private ePIPVs.
Pilot projects will be conducted in seven countries:
- Denmark: heavy-duty vehicles and an ePIPV parking lot for trucks
- Greece: VIPV garbage truck and municipal ePIPV management
- Türkiye: VIPV passenger bus and ePIPV bus opportunity charging
- Portugal/New Zealand: last-mile delivery VIPV and public ePIPV management
- Albania: private ePIPV management
- Slovenia: VIPV motorhome
The consortium is composed of 35 partners across 16 countries. The project findings will contribute to policy recommendations, guidelines for municipalities on procurement processes, and regulatory frameworks to support the widespread adoption of VIPV and ePIPV technologies.
To stay updated on the latest developments, visit the project's website and follow the project on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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