Japanese chemical company and solar module manufacturer Kaneka has partnered with Toyota Motor Corporation to incorporate its advanced 26.63%-efficient crystalline silicon solar cells with heterojunction and back-contact technology into Toyota's electric vehicles. The cells will be used in the roof glass of Toyota's Prius PHEV car, due to the high conversion efficiency and excellent exterior design of Kaneka's proprietary technology. Kaneka's back-contact design, which has no wiring on the surface, closely resembles vehicle roof glass.
“We are thrilled that Toyota has recognized the potential of our technology for use in automobiles,” said a spokesperson from Kaneka. “Our solar cells were selected by Toyota for use in an automobile following their use on Toyota bZ4X due to recognition of its curved surface design enabling itself to be mounted on a car body.”
Kaneka's solar cells have been the most efficient crystalline silicon PV device developed at both the industry and research levels for years. However, in November, Chinese manufacturer Longi announced that it had surpassed this threshold by achieving a power conversion efficiency of 26.81% for an unspecified heterojunction (HJT) solar cell, based on a full-size silicon wafer, in mass production.
Kaneka has been supplying bifacial heterojunction solar modules based on its cell technology since 2019, and it announced plans to begin full-scale delivery of in-vehicle PV this spring. “We are ready to start the operation of an additional production line for heterojunction PV panels during this fiscal year to respond to the strong demand,” the company said in its latest financial report.
The use of solar technology in automobiles is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency. As automakers work to reduce their environmental impact, the integration of solar cells into vehicles is becoming increasingly popular. According to a report by BloombergNEF, the market for solar-powered cars could reach $3.6 billion by 2030, up from $36 million in 2020.
“We believe that the use of our solar cells in Toyota's vehicles will help to promote the widespread adoption of solar technology in the automotive industry,” the spokesperson from Kaneka said. “We are excited to be at the forefront of this innovative trend.”
