Japanese automaker Nissan has unveiled a solar-powered concept of its all-electric Ariya SUV – times to coincide with “Clean Energy Day”, but not likely to reach the commercial market anytime soon
Nissan billed its new Ariya concept as “an exploration of how future electric vehicles could harness the world’s most abundant renewable energy source: the sun.”
Developed by engineers from Nissan’s Advanced Product Planning team in Dubai and Powertrain Planning team in Barcelona, the solar-powered Ariya concept features 3.8m² of high‑efficiency photovoltaic panels integrated into the hood, roof, and tailgate of the car.
The polymer and glass-based solar panels, supplied by Dutch solar‑mobility innovator Lightyear, are managed by an advanced controller designed to optimise energy use and reduce reliance on external charging infrastructure.
Real-world testing done by Nissan, which includes a 1,550 km journey between the Netherlands and Barcelona, shows that the solar panels could add up to 23-kilometres of additional driving ranger per day, in ideal conditions.
Image Credit: Nissan Australia
Image Credit: Nissan Australia
As has been seen with all solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) conceptualised through the years, the value of the solar panels differs depending on where you are in the world.
According to Nissan’s own testing data, cities with high solar exposure such as Barcelona, Spain, would allow such a solar-powered car to generate an average of 17.6-kilometres per day of extra driving range. But those numbers vary wildly, down to 10.2-kilometres per day in dreary London, 18.9-kilometres in subcontinental New Delhi, and 21.2-kilometres per day in sunny Dubai.
In the right circumstances, however, a two-hour, 80-kilometre journey could produce up to 3-kilometres of “free” driving range. And Nissan believes that, overall, a car like a solar-powered Ariya could reduce charging frequency by anywhere from 35 to 65 per cent, depending on usage.
Put another way, Nissan’s testing demonstrated that integrating solar into an EV could cut annual charging visits for a 6,000-kilometre-per-year driver from 23 to just 8.
Image Credit: Nissan Australia
Image Credit: Nissan Australia
Image Credit: Nissan Australia
“The solar‑powered Ariya concept embodies Nissan’s belief that innovation and sustainability must move forward hand‑in‑hand,” said Shunsuke Shigemoto, a vice president at Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania).
“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.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.