Vehicle-integrated Photovoltaic (ViPV) systems: Energy production, Diesel Equivalent, Payback Time; an assessment screening for trucks and busses

This paper presents a screening methodology to evaluate the economic feasibility and environmental impact of Vehicle-integrated Photovoltaic (ViPV) Systems by means of various indicators. These indicators comprise Diesel Energy Equivalent, Payback Time, Potential Savings of Costs and CO₂ and other parameters. Also included is an analysis for several different vehicle operation scenarios. As the amount of photovoltaic production is depending on the time the system is exposed to the sun as well as on the available surface area, this study is focussing on commercial vehicles with big roof surfaces, i.e. busses and trucks.