The benefits of roof-mounted solar panels on coach operation have been highlighted by Austrian and Eastern European business Blaguss Group, which says its work with supplier Green Energy Group has led to reduced energy consumption in diesel and battery-electric fleet members.
A six-month pilot delivered what is claimed to be an annualised diesel saving of between 1,616 and 2,052 litres per vehicle, while for battery-electric the use of solar panels supports what Green Energy says is range, battery health, and independence from the grid.
For diesel vehicles, it adds that the fuel consumption reduction comes via lowering the load placed on the engine by the alternator and onboard systems that consume electricity. Energy from the panels is fed directly to the battery. Solar can take over “much of the battery charging work during daylight hours,” the supplier says via a detailed explanation of the technology.
Blaguss Group has over 600 vehicles, including 12 Yutong T12E two-axle battery-electric coaches with a range of up to 500km.
Owner and CEO Paul Blaguss describes solar panels as “a real gamechanger” for coach operation, noting how the Green Energy systems will be rolled out across the business’s entire fleet “as quickly and comprehensively as possible.” A first phase of that capturing 50 vehicles that use both diesel and battery-electric power is already in hand.
The pilot ran across 17 coaches in regional and long-distance use cases, testing different solar panel sizes. Green Energy Group notes that the case for solar remains consistent as fleets move away from diesel towards zero-emission, describing the approach as “an efficiency tool.”
Adds CEO Martin Thaysen: “Operators that are serious about decarbonisation are finding that solar fits every stage of the journey. The savings on diesel are proven and compelling.
“Now Blaguss is leading the way deploying solar on its new electric coach fleet. And our solar pilot on HVO and biogas vehicles with DHL Freight Sweden will give us more insights later this year.”
