Panasonic Corporation has worked on the development of new applications of solar cells through the effective use of high performance and high reliability technologies and know-how that have been accumulated through the development, manufacture, and sales of photovoltaic modules for residential, public and industrial use.
Panasonic's solar cells have a unique structure that combines a crystalline silicon substrate and an amorphous silicon film, and feature high conversion efficiency and excellent temperature characteristics. Conventional automotive solar cells can output up to several tens of watts and have been used only for the auxiliary charging of 12 V batteries and ventilation power sources for parked cars; however, the use of the features of Panasonic’s solar cells allow a high output (approx.180 W) in a limited area on a car's roof, enabling the charging of the drive lithium-ion batteries as well as 12 V batteries, resulting in a possible extension of an EV's travel distance and increased in fuel economy.
Furthermore, Panasonic has developed technologies to laminate three-dimensional curved glass to match the new Prius PHV's elegant body design, achieving the installation of modules on the roof without impairing the advanced design. This will eventually contribute to the improvement of the vehicle's environmental performance.
Panasonic will make efforts to expand the use of the “HITTM Photovoltaic Module for Automobile” and contribute to the achievement of an environmentally friendly society in the automotive as well as the housing and industrial fields.
| [Features] | ||
1. | A high output allows the charging of the drive and 12 V batteries. | |
2. | Photovoltaic modules that are compatible with three-dimensional curve processing match the elegant body design. | |
3. | As with the 2012 model, Panasonic’s automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries are mounted. | |
*HIT is a registered trademark of the Panasonic Group. | ||
- A high output allows the charging of the drive and 12 V batteries
Although photovoltaic modules were installed as an option in the previous Prius HV, their applications were limited to areas such as ventilation for in-vehicle air-conditioning. The currently developed dedicated automotive modules have achieved a high output of approx. 180 W, three times or more the conventional output, which not only easily turns them into a power source for in-vehicle accessories but also allows the drive battery charging. Electrical energy generated from solar cells can be applied to the charging of driving power sources, thereby extending travel distance per charge.
- Photovoltaic modules that are compatible with three-dimensional curve processing match the elegant body design
The new Prius PHV has an extremely novel and complex body design that enables it to achieve a graceful style, sense of quietness based on aerodynamic control, and low fuel consumption. In particular, the gradual curve design is applied to the overall roof, creating a complex structure made of three-dimensional curves from the windshield and pillars to around the hood. Panasonic developed a unique lamination technology that conforms to this complex three-dimensional curved roof. This technology features the thermal compression bonding of the upper and lower module surfaces with flexible material and is groundbreaking in that it allows the manufacturing process to address three-dimensional curves in addition to conventional flat surfaces. The development of this technology enabled the practical use of automotive modules.
- As with the 2012 model, Panasonic’s automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries are mounted
As with the Prius PHV that was released in 2012, Panasonic's automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries have been adopted for the drive batteries of the new Prius PHV. These batteries achieve a good balance of elements required for automotive batteries, including high capacity, high output, and high safety levels, and charge regenerated energy and electrical energy that has been generated by solar cells to contribute to the extension of an EV's travel distance and increased fuel economy.
