Optimising energy efficiency in electric buses with curved surface solar panels

The transition to electric buses in urban transportation presents challenges related to battery capacity, operational range, and energy efficiency. This study investigates the integration of curved surface photovoltaic (PV) panels on electric bus rooftops to optimize solar energy capture and address these challenges. Using simulations conducted via the Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS), the energy performance of curved PV panels was compared with conventional flat panels. The study evaluates key metrics, including energy generation potential, system efficiency, and operational feasibility, with a case study in Gillingham, United Kingdom. The findings reveal that curved PV panels generate up to 18 % more energy than flat panels under similar conditions, owing to their optimized surface design, which captures sunlight from a broader range of angles. This additional energy translates to an extended operational range and reduced dependency on external charging. The curved panels also demonstrated better energy performance during periods of low solar irradiance, highlighting their suitability for dynamic urban environments. This research is original in its focus on the application of curved PV panels in constrained spaces like electric bus rooftops, demonstrating the viability of this innovative design for enhancing energy efficiency in public transport systems.