As the automotive industry accelerates toward sustainability, solar technology is steadily gaining ground. At Lightyear, we take pride in contributing to this shift with our Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV), developed to bring energy independence, efficiency, and sustainability to electric mobility. At the core of this innovation are our solar panels, a carefully refined combination of performance, flexibility, and integration that helps solar-powered transportation take its next step forward.
Solar panels on any car: Why it matters
The number of cars on the road is increasing globally. To meet the growing demand for mobility in a sustainable way, we must look beyond traditional EV charging infrastructure. Vehicle-integrated solar technology opens up a new category of clean, passive energy generation that doesn't require any behavioral change from the user. Once integrated into a vehicle's surface, it silently goes to work whenever there’s sunlight.
At Lightyear, we envision a future where every kind of travel (from short commutes to long journeys) can be powered in part by the sun. Our solar panel technology is not limited to our own vehicles; in fact, we no longer produce cars ourselves. Instead, we focus fully on making our technology accessible for OEMs and partners across the automotive industry.
What makes a solar matrix?
The matrix is the heart of a solar panel: a precise arrangement of photovoltaic (PV) cells that work together to form a solar module. At Lightyear, we have spent years perfecting this matrix to optimize energy yield under real-world conditions, including partial shading and varying light angles. Our matrix is made up of back-contact monocrystalline silicon solar cells, known for their high efficiency and sleek, seamless integration into vehicle surfaces. The solar cells are integrated into a lightweight and flexible panel, specifically designed to meet automotive standards. A curved protective top layer ensures the panel is durable and seamlessly fits the vehicle’s aerodynamic design.
This advanced structure complies with UNECE R43 automotive regulations and is built for high performance in daily use.
How do solar panels work on cars?
Just like residential solar panels, automotive solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. However, they must do so under limited surface area, constant movement, exposure to vibration and debris, and the challenge of integrating into double-curved vehicle surfaces. While the weather conditions may be similar to rooftops, the automotive context adds complexity in terms of form and functionality. A typical Lightyear solar module begins with solar cells, the smallest energy unit, which are connected together into solar strings. These strings are then assembled into a complete solar panel that’s integrated into the vehicle's surface.
When sunlight hits the panel, it activates the photovoltaic cells, generating electricity that flows through a DC-DC converter and into the vehicle’s battery, ready to power onboard systems or extend driving range. Under ideal conditions, this can result in up to 70 kilometers of additional range per day.
Why Lightyear panels stand out
Solar panels on cars are not a new idea, but making them work efficiently at scale requires innovation. Our solar panels stand out due to several key advantages. First, they maintain high energy yield even in partially shaded conditions. Thanks to our interleaved cell layout and smart bypass system, power generation continues even when part of the panel is shaded by a tree or building.
In addition, our modules are built for ultra-efficiency, achieving up to 23% module efficiency and a DC-DC conversion rate of around 95.5%. This ensures that every square meter of a vehicle’s surface contributes meaningfully to energy production.
Our solar technology is also electrically tunable, allowing integration with both low-voltage and high-voltage battery systems. This makes it versatile for a range of applications, from passenger cars to commercial vans. And finally, durability is a cornerstone of our design. Our panels are designed for long-term performance and are tested to withstand environmental stressors, depending on material configuration.
A future without plug dependency
The promise of solar-integrated mobility goes beyond added range. It changes the way we think about energy. Instead of planning around charging stations, drivers gain the freedom to generate power anywhere the sun shines. This reduces dependency on the grid, saves on electricity costs, and lowers peak demand on infrastructure. Over time, it can even provide backup energy for your home or power off-grid systems.
Can solar panels work on any car?
The answer is yes. We are actively integrating our solar panels into a wide variety of vehicle platforms through pilot programs and OEM collaborations. In many of these pilots, we replace traditional roof or panoramic glass surfaces with solar panels, and test their performance across different environments and use cases. Beyond the roof, our integration capabilities extend to other exterior parts of the vehicle such as doors, trunk, hoods, rear windows, and side windows. Each pilot provides valuable insights, helping us refine our VIPV systems for broader adoption.
OEM integration: Designed for collaboration
At Lightyear, we support OEMs in implementing solar panel technology through co-development, design and engineering support, testing, and scalable manufacturing from our facility in Venray, the Netherlands. Whether for a concept, a production EV, a commercial vehicle, or another mobility platform, we help bring solar mobility to life.
Solar panels: A natural fit for electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are only as green as the energy they consume. Solar panels provide a passive, renewable energy source that aligns perfectly with the mission of decarbonized transport. By integrating solar panels directly into the car body, OEMs and fleet operators can extend vehicle range without adding extra batteries, reduce charging downtime, improve total cost of ownership, and offer customers a truly sustainable mobility solution.
Summary: Ready for the next phase of solar mobility
Our solar panels reflect over a decade of research, development, and testing. From building our own solar cars to now focusing on scalable technology partnerships, we have refined our product for real-world impact. Today, our panels are ready to empower OEMs, mobility providers, and forward-thinking fleets.
We envision a future where any car, no matter the brand, can be powered by the sun. The journey to that future starts now.
