In celebration of Clean Energy Day, Nissan has revealed a solar‑powered Ariya concept which harnesses the power of the sun as a renewable energy source.
Developed by engineers from Nissan’s Advanced Product Planning team in Dubai and Powertrain Planning team in Barcelona, the concept features 3.8m² of high‑efficiency photovoltaic panels integrated into the hood, roof, and tailgate.
These polymer and glass-based solar panels convert sunlight into DC power, managed through an advanced controller designed to optimize energy use and reduce reliance on external charging infrastructure.
Real‑world testing revealed it can deliver up to 14.3 miles of additional range per day, within specific cities it added 6.3 miles/day in London, 11.7 miles/day in New Delhi, and 13.2 km/day in Dubai
As a result, drivers can reduce their charging frequency by up to 65%, depending on usage, with a two‑hour, 50 mile journey potentially producing 0.5 kWh of clean energy, adding up to 1.8 miles of free, zero‑emission range
It comes from a partnership with Dutch solar‑mobility innovator Lightyear, who supplied the next‑generation panel technology, which was brought to life by Nissan’s engineering teams.
The solar‑powered Ariya concept reflects Nissan’s long‑term commitment to building a cleaner, more connected world, the firm said.
By exploring solar charging as an integrated EV solution, Nissan “continues to innovate toward its global ambition of achieving carbon neutrality across the life cycle of its products and operations by 2050”, it added.
Shunsuke Shigemoto, Vice President ePowertrain & Internal Combustion Engine Powertrain (ICE), Technology Research & Advanced Engineering & Chief Powertrain Engineer, Nissan AMIEO, said:
“The solar‑powered Ariya concept embodies Nissan’s belief that innovation and sustainability must move forward hand‑in‑hand. By exploring how vehicles can generate their own renewable energy, we are opening the door to new opportunities for customers- greater freedom, reduced charging dependency, and a cleaner future.
“This concept is not just a technical milestone; it’s a vision of how Nissan intends to lead the next phase of electric mobility.”
Image courtesy of Nissan
