A monitoring system for the use of solar energy in electric and hybrid electric vehicles

In this paper we propose the use of a monitoring system to enhance the degree of efficiency of photovoltaics. We discuss electric vehicles (EVs) as well as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) as potential target applications. For these kinds of vehicles we evaluate different connection opportunities for photovoltaics within an on-board power supply. Furthermore, we present a novel connection opportunity to avoid disadvantages from other approaches. We illustrate how our monitoring system responds to changing solar radiation conditions thereby selecting suitable maximum power point tracking (MPPT) strategies. Additionally, we increase the degree of efficiency by disconnecting shadowed photovoltaic (PV) cells from unshadowed PV cells. Moreover, predictions on the energy output of the PV installation are provided as helpful information to the driver.