The solar van
Three technical pillars combine to make Soleva a demonstrator of sustainable mobility: electric conversion, the on-board solar system and the low-carbon habitat.
Rather than producing a new vehicle, Soleva relies on retrofit: keeping a 1987 Peugeot J9, removing the combustion engine and tank, and integrating a complete electric powertrain. This approach extends the vehicle's lifespan and reduces the impact related to manufacturing.
Integrating solar energy onto a vehicle to such a massive scale represents huge challenges. It requires the highest possible efficiency while remaining ultra lightweight. It has to be durable and withstand harsh weather and wind conditions. All these requirements were uniquely combined in this demonstrator. Our design optimises the energy conversion efficiency from solar to battery and propulsion, allowing for high autonomy while minimizing the amount of batteries required. We are collaborating with the CSEM institute, who has built the solar PV panels for the SolarImpulse plane, to build the best solution possible. Thanks to innovative technology, we can use our self-generated solar power not only for the vehicle, but we can power events, festivals, utilities and much more. It is the future of V2X power anywhere you need.
Our team will be happy to answer your technical questions or present the project.
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