ZF Aftermarket has introduced its SolarBoost roof-mounted solar charging system to the Australian market, giving bus and coach operators another option to reduce fuel use, extend battery life and lower whole-of-life operating costs.
Recently showcased at the Australasia Bus & Coach Expo, ZF SolarBoost is designed for medium to large city buses and coaches fitted with 24V battery systems of at least 150Ah.
The system uses flexible solar panels mounted to the vehicle roof to provide additional energy for the electrical system. By reducing the demand placed on the alternator, ZF says the technology can reduce fuel consumption while supporting battery performance and vehicle reliability.
Testing has demonstrated fuel savings of approximately 0.9 to 3.5 per cent depending on operating conditions and duty cycle.
ZF also says customer testing has shown battery-life improvements equivalent to avoiding one battery replacement per year, potentially providing an additional maintenance and whole-of-life cost benefit for high-utilisation fleets.
Damon Baffico, Head of Sales CV AM and OE Trailer Oceania at ZF, said the technology provides operators with a relatively simple way to improve efficiency.
“As fleet operators continue to focus on reducing operating costs while improving sustainability, ZF SolarBoost offers a simple yet highly effective solution,” Baffico said.
“By harnessing solar energy to support the vehicle’s electrical system, operators can extend battery life, reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions without adding complexity to vehicle maintenance.”
The flexible solar panels have been engineered to withstand the vibration and movement associated with intensive commercial bus operations. Their flexible construction allows them to move with the vehicle while continuing to generate electricity.
Installation has also been designed to minimise vehicle downtime. SolarBoost uses a plug-and-play configuration, with the panels secured using an adhesive mounting system rather than requiring drilling into the vehicle roof.
ZF says installation can be completed using basic tools without complex configuration or extensive rewiring.
For bus operators running vehicles across demanding daily duty cycles, the potential combination of lower fuel consumption, reduced battery replacement requirements and lower emissions could make solar charging another tool for improving fleet operating efficiency.
