Irish firm seals deal with Fiat to develop solar panel roofs

AN IRISH energy company has entered into a major partnership with Italian motor giant, Fiat to develop solar panel roofs for cars.

It’s hoped the energy generated from the solar panel will be used to power most of the car’s inner electrics and to contribute surplus energy to an electric car’s battery. According to Fiat, these roofs could reduce carbon emissions by up to 15%.

As part of the €3 million deal, Dublin-based SolarPrint will join a consortium working at the Centre Richerche Fiat on the “smart roof”.

This roof is based around low cost photo-voltaic (PV) panels and a lithium battery which convert light to electricity which can then power different parts of the car.

The roof will include a solar cell, energy storage systems and other energy efficient devices.

SolarPrint’s unique dye sensitised solar cell (DSSC) technology will be used in the SMARTOP project.

Scientists from University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and Imperial College in Britain are also involved in SMARTTOP as are German semiconductor company Infineon Technologies and auto components supplier Webasto Product.

Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan said Irish globally focussed nanotechnology companies like SolarPrint must continue to be supported.

“There has been considerable discussion in recent months about the contribution of innovation-oriented industries to Ireland’s economy and this deal is a perfect example of this.”

SolarPrint chief executive Dr Mazhar Bari said: “The SMARTOP project has been set up to create a technology that will revolutionise the auto industry and the cars that we drive, by converting everyday light into a form of power. Simply put, in the not too distant future, cars will be partially powered by PV technologies, which will have significant knock-on benefits for consumers, manufacturers and society as a whole.”

According to Fiat, the smart sunroofs will allow cheaper motoring for motorists as they will be saving on car electrics. Fiat also expects the solar roofs to be manufactured at reasonable cost as component materials are not expensive.

The smart sunroof will power compact lithium batteries that power on board technologies.