Flexible thin-film solar maker Hanergy has teamed up with a supplier of airport shuttle buses to develop a bus powered by an integrated photovoltaic roof.
Global Solar Energy, the US subsidiary of Chinese solar company Hanergy, has worked with TAM-Europe on the project.
The PV roof generates power which is used to power the buses’ air-conditioning systems and extend their range.
In November 2018 Hanergy signed a cooperation agreement with TAM-Europe, a subsidiary of China Hi-Tech Group Corporation, to develop a solar electric shuttle bus powered by flexible PV cells.
TAM-Europe has integrated the modules and critical integrated circuit technology for the airport shuttle buses in China.
Hanergy senior vice president Zhang Bin said: “Having jointly developed China’s first airport shuttle bus thin-film roof system with TAM-Europe we feel further empowered for our mission building the sustainable world.
“The success of the current partnership paves the way for Hanergy to seek more cooperation opportunities in this field.”
The thin, light flexible modules not only provide electricity for the buses but fully use the entire surface of the roof, so that overall vehicle design is not affected.
Each module, with integrated chip packaging components weighs just 2.3kg per square metre without adhesive.
TAM was founded in 1947 in Slovenia and today mainly produces airport shuttle buses.
The company was acquired by China Hi-Tech Group in 2013.
By 2020, China Hi-Tech TAM-Europe aims to be one in terms of global market share of airport shuttle buses.
Global Solar Energy was set up in 1996 to develop and commercialise CIGS solar cell technology. It has a factory in Tucson, Arizona, US. The company has an annual production capacity of 50MW.