In the coming weeks, ten trucks covered with solar panels will hit the road. During the practical test, researchers want to find out whether the solar panels continue to function well on a moving surface.
The trucks will be sent on the road by developer IM Efficiency. "With this practical test of the SolarOnTop project, we want to iron out the last teething problems," Martijn Ildiz of IM Efficiency, the company that developed the solar panels on semi-trailers, told NOS. "Once this test phase is behind us, we aim to really start using them in November." Previously, similar projects were carried out with smaller trucks. According to Ildiz, now, for the first time, the entire roof of large trucks will be utilised.
The power generated by the solar panels is not meant to get the trucks running. However, it can run the air conditioning, the driver can use it to make coffee, watch TV or charge his laptop. Currently, diesel is usually used for this. Ildiz: "You are now just throwing away litres of diesel to generate a bit of electricity. That's a waste."
Vos Logistics: 'Payback within three years'
Vos Logistics owns one of the trucks that will hit the road in the coming weeks. The transport company sees trucks as a suitable place for solar panels. "A trailer lasts up to 20 years, some a bit shorter, but you get the cost out just fine. Within about three years, it has already paid for itself," believes Eveline Vermeulen, sustainability manager at Vos Logistics.
Despite the solar panels, Vermeulen says he is still waiting for a good alternative to current fuels. "We are not going to win the war with solar panels, but it is a step in the right direction. For us, it is one of the components alongside, for example, the use of alternative fuels."
Emissions while driving must also be reduced
Industry association TLN is also positive about solar panels on trucks, but stresses that this is a small step. If the sector wants to meet climate targets, emissions while driving have to come down considerably. Alternatives such as hydrogen, electric driving or LNG still have too many hurdles, says TLN.
