“At 5 micrometres, they are significantly thinner than a human hair, weigh just 50 grams per square metre and are packed full of energy. Mercedes-Benz is researching a new type of solar modules that could be seamlessly applied to the bodywork of electric vehicles – similar to a wafer-thin layer of paste. The active photovoltaic surface can be applied to any substrate. The solar cells have a high efficiency of 20 per cent. An area of 11 square metres (equivalent to the surface of a mid-size SUV) could produce energy for up to 12,000 kilometres a year under ideal conditions[1]. The energy generated by the solar cells is used for driving or fed directly into the high-voltage battery. The photovoltaic system is permanently active and also generates energy when the vehicle is switched off. In future, this could be a highly effective solution for increased electric range and fewer charging stops.
The yield depends on levels of shade, the intensity of the sun and geographical location. By way of example: Statistically, Mercedes-Benz drivers in Stuttgart, Germany cover an average of 52 kilometres a day. Around 62 per cent of this distance would be covered using solar energy. In Los Angeles, there is even a surplus of energy from solar radiation. The customer could cover 100 per cent of their driving distance on average by solar energy. The surplus achieved could be fed directly into the home network via bidirectional charging.
The solar paint not only has a high level of efficiency. It contains no rare earths and no silicon, only non-toxic and readily available raw materials. It is easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules. The Mercedes-Benz research department is currently working to enable use of the new solar paint on all exterior vehicle surfaces – regardless of their shape and angle.”
New kind of solar paint could generate enough electricity for more than 12,000 km per year
https://mercedes-benz-media.co.uk/releases/1609
Near-unlimited EV range now a possibility thanks to surprising new technology — solar paint
https://www.livescience.com/technology/electric-vehicles/near-unlimited-ev-range-now-a-possibility-thanks-to-surprising-new-technology-solar-paint