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Perovskite photovoltaic technology specialist Oxford Photovoltaics has joined a UK-led project to integrate solar panels into electric vehicles to improve efficiency and range.
Named Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EV (SUITE), the project is part of the latest round of Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) supported initiatives receiving funding through the Department for Business and Trade’s DRIVE35 Collaborate programme, which is delivered in partnership with APC and Innovate UK.
The consortium brings together Nissan Technical Centre UK, specialist engineering companies and UK universities to accelerate solar innovation for EVs.
Oxford Photovoltaics (Oxford PV) will contribute its perovskite PV expertise, building on its research and industrialisation of perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar technology. Within the SUITE project, this expertise will be applied to vehicle integrated solar, where high performance, low weight, and design flexibility are necessary.
“We are excited to be working with such a strong consortium of automotive and technology partners on the SUITE project,” David Ward, Oxford PV CEO said in a statement. “Perovskite photovoltaics offer a step change in solar performance and open up new possibilities for vehicle integrated solutions. This collaboration allows us to bring our technology leadership to a new class of applications that can deliver real world benefits for electric mobility.”
Vehicle integrated solar can supplement energy generation during normal vehicle operation, supporting improved overall efficiency and helping to extend range. High-efficiency perovskitesolar cells are said to offer high power density in lightweight format, making them suited for EV integration where maximum power per area and weight are critical.
“By combining cutting edge PV technology with automotive grade design and manufacturing expertise, SUITE represents an important step towards commercially viable solar assisted electric vehicles,” said Ward. “We’re proud to contribute to a project that supports the UK’s net zero ambitions while advancing the performance and sustainability of future transport.”
The DRIVE35 Collaborate programme is a UK government-backed funding scheme that supports late-stage, collaborative research and development (R&D) projects in the automotive sector, with a particular emphasis on zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and the shift towards a net-zero automotive industry.
It sits within the wider DRIVE35 (Driving Research & Investment in Vehicle Electrification) framework, a £2.5bn commitment running to 2035 to strengthen the UK’s automotive supply chain and accelerate electrification.
 
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