California-based Sunpods Inc. has announced the first solar power-assist system for buses. Developed in under six weeks in collaboration with Bauer Intelligent Transportation, the system will help Bauer to meet strict anti-pollution standards set by the State of California.
SunPods’ modular solar power assist system consists of four thin film solar panels running the length of the bus that charge an on-board deep cycle battery bank.
When the bus engine is shut down, the batteries power the air-conditioning and wireless connectivity equipment, enabling bus companies to meet anti-idling standards without compromising passenger comfort.
SunPod’s solar power-assist system has been in operation on a Bauer IT bus, undergoing testing since January 2010 and Bauer IT have been impressed with its performance to date.
Since 2008 California state law has prohibited diesel vehicles from idling for more than five minutes. More than 25 states across the United States now have anti-idling laws.
Bauer IT is no ordinary transportation company and has a fleet of bio-diesel, EGR and propane vehicles. For its buses, Bauer’s uses clean burning Series 60 engines that use exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology and diesel particulates filters to fully meet all EPA emission requirements. The requirements call for a 90% reduction in particulate matter and a more than 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx). EGR technology works by circulating cooled exhaust gas back into the engine air intake, lowering combustion temperatures and thus reducing the formation of NOx.
The buses also feature ZF Astronic transmission, a 12-speed manual transmission that acts like an automatic version. Bauer says this allows the load, speed and road conditions to be analysed and then the transmission decides which is appropriate “shifting.” Fuel economy tests show a more than 6% increase in performance.
