Solar panels on trucks: A Viable business model validated by 1.3 million kilometers of data

Solar is shifting from an innovation topic to a core business decision. Across Europe, solar-integrated trucks are delivering measurable returns for transport companies: 4–5% fuel savings, up to 9 tonnes of CO₂ reduction, and payback periods of around 1.5 years at current fuel prices. These results are proven in daily operations by transport companies using solar technologies such as SolarOnTop.

SolarMoves, the largest independent research on Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV), shows that by placing solar panels on top of commercial vehicles, trailers can generate up to 110 kWh per day while electric trucks can increase their daily range by up to 15%.

With over 1.3 million kilometers of monitored driving from the SolarMoves project, combined with years of real-world fleet data, this article answers the two main questions every transport company is asking:

• • Is the energy generated sufficient to deliver meaningful operational, financial and environmental value?
• • Can VIPV perform reliably in the demanding environment of commercial transport?

Field evidence: What transport companies are seeing

With more than 150 vehicles equipped with SolarOnTop and years of operational data collected, the results clearly show that the benefits are real. Customers are experiencing improvements in their finances, operations, environmental impact and even the well-being of their drivers.

Van der Linden transport

Based in Hillegom, Van der Linden was an early adopter of the SolarOnTop technology. Starting with one solar-equipped truck (Scania G370), the company quickly scaled up after seeing results. Solar energy generated from our technology was used to power electrical appliances such as:

• • Tail lifts  
• • Air conditioning
• • Cabin electronics

By generating energy directly on the vehicle, electricity no longer needs to be produced by the alternator which reduces engine load and lowers fuel consumption.

Measured results:

• • ~4% fuel savings per truck
• • Reduced CO₂ emissions
• • Less battery wear and longer lifespan
• • Improved operational efficiency

Vonk and Co

Vonk and Co started with two trucks, aiming to reduce fuel consumption and make its fleet more sustainable. Today, they operate five vehicles equipped with SolarOnTop, including modern DAF rigids.

The impact:

• • Each truck saves approximately 1.200 liters of diesel annually
• • At €2,50 per liter, that's €15.000 in annual fuel savings across the fleet
• • Meaningful CO₂ reduction

Other customer experiences

Hitachi Transport: Achieves fuel savings of 1.284 liters/year/truck and CO₂ reduction of 4.147 kg annually/truck while also improving driver comfort, productivity and safety.

Van Rijnsbergen: Reports 1.672 liters of fuel saving/year/truck and 5.401 kg of CO₂ reduction/year/truck, alongside reduced idling and improved driver comfort and safety.

Vos Logistics: Achieves ~4–5% fuel savings /year/vehicle while also reducing battery wear and improving overall fleet efficiency.

Backed by the largest VIPV study in europe: SolarMoves

The SolarMoves project represents the largest independent study on VIPV in Europe, based on more than 1,3 million kilometers of real-world data. Vehicles from our customers such as Zeelandia, Hitachi, Van der Linden… and transport companies such as RD4, and DJ Middelkoop… were equipped with sensors to monitor performance in daily operations.

The results show that generating energy directly on vehicles significantly reduces reliance on external electricity and fuel especially in logistics operations with high auxiliary energy demand.

Key findings:

• • Electric trucks can increase their daily range by up to 15%
• • Trailers generate up to 55 kWh per day, and 90–110 kWh per day with side panels
• • Overall energy demand and grid pressure are reduced

This energy powers: Cooling units, Tail lifts and Auxiliary equipment

The Business Case: Investment vs Return

The economic impact of SolarOnTop comes from multiple sources:

• • Fuel savings
• • Lower maintenance costs (including reduced battery wear, fewer replacements and fewer breakdowns)
• • Reduced downtime
• • Fewer emergency call-outs
• • Stronger sustainability position that leads to higher customer satisfaction.

SolarOnTop systems previously had a payback period of 2.5 to 3.5 years. With rising fuel prices, this payback period has effectively been halved, making the business case even more attractive.

Beyond fuel savings: reliability and operational performance

Modern trucks rely on an increasing number of electrical systems. This makes energy reliability critical and essential to keep all electrical systems working properly.

Solar integration provides a second, independent energy source, ensuring electrical systems continue working without the engine power.

Key operational benefits:

• • Reduced downtime
• • Increased vehicle availability
• • Continuous operation of critical systems
• • Less risk of electrical failures

Supporting electrification and reducing grid pressure

As transport electrifies, grid capacity is becoming a major bottleneck across Europe.

Solar-integrated vehicles offer a decentralized solution.

For electric trucks, the benefits are even greater:

• • Up to 10–15% increased driving range
• • Longer routes between charging
• • Less dependency on charging infrastructure

Driver Comfort and Productivity

Solar power also improves working conditions for drivers. We see that truck drivers working for our customers are happier and have a more comfortable experience, benefiting from lower noise levels, better rest and higher productivity.

This is very important for driver retention strategies, especially in today’s market, where there is a significant shortage of truck drivers.