The pursuit to combat climate change continues, identifying new methods and technologies
for sustainable energy management. Automakers continue developing battery electric vehicles
while researchers identify new applications and materials for solar photovoltaics. The continued
advancement of technology creates new holes within literature, requiring investigation to
understand the unknown.
Photovoltaic vehicle integration gained popularity during the 1970s but did not
commercialize due to technology, economics, and other factors. By 2021 the idea resurfaced,
showcasing commercial and concept vehicles utilizing photovoltaics. The emergence of new
transparent photovoltaics presents additional options for vehicle integration but lacks literature
analyzing the energy output and economics. The theoretical analysis investigated transparent
photovoltaic replacing a vehicle’s windows. The investigation found that transparent photovoltaic
vehicle integration generates energy and financial savings. However, due to high system costs and
location, the system does not provide a financial payback period like other photovoltaic arrays.
Improving cost, location, and other financial parameters create more favorable circumstances for
the photovoltaic system. Furthermore, transparent photovoltaics provide energy saving benefits
and some return on investment compared to regular glass windows.