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As compared to using fossil fuels, utilising solar energy would also produce little to no emissions in the buses when it is converted to electricity. It is reported that a solar panel’s carbon footprint is roughly 20 times less than the carbon output of coal-powered electricity sources (Chrobak, 2021). In general, solar panels last over 20 years, which means that carbon emission will be reduced for a significant amount of time. Through the more widespread use of solar panels in transport, the overall carbon footprint will also be reduced as the solar panel system will remain carbon neutral for the rest of its lifespan (Cool Effect, 2021). Hence, installing solar panels is a good way to lower the carbon footprint as solar energy is a natural, renewable source that can be replenished, unlike fossil fuels.

Solar energy is also a more cost-effective option compared to fossil fuel as it is a renewable source of energy. Many of us might assume that the reason so much energy still comes from gas and fossil fuels is due to those fuels being cheaper. However, in the article “Solar Power Got Cheap. So Why Aren’t We Using It More?” (Ula Chrobak, 2021), it is described that this assumption has been “obliterated by a recent decline in solar costs over the past decade”. Solar energy has cheapened at an extreme rate. 10 years ago, it was the most expensive option for energy development. Since then, that cost has dropped by 90 percent. Fossil fuels are not able to keep up with this price as fossil power plants have to buy mined fuels to operate while sunshine is free.

Buses are an efficient mode of public transport as they are able to carry a lot of passengers. A city bus makes use of approximately 7,500 gallons of fuel every year. Based on a trial held previously by the company Go-Ahead in Britain, it was observed that the solar bus saved an average of 1.7 litres of diesel per 100 km, thus saving around 10 litres a day. This resulted in savings of 1.4litres of diesel per bus per year (Regen Power, 2021). Hence, this further supports the viability of installing solar panels onto buses.

While reducing diesel use and CO2 emissions is the most obvious benefit to vehicle-mounted solar panels, they can also positively impact battery life. When the engine is off, onboard systems continue to consume energy. When it is restarted and the vehicle is driven, the battery recharges quickly which prolongs the battery life (Deakin, 2020). 

As much as incorporating solar panels onto diesel buses is a good idea, the high initial cost may cause one to hesitate. According to studies, the initial cost of installation for an average-sized solar panel system may cost up to $29,000. These costs exclude any subsequent maintenance fees and overhead costs. Although these costs are bound to break even after years of costs saved from fuel consumption, it is important to consider if this huge initial cost is worth the investment.

In summary, the implementation of solar panels in heavy vehicles like diesel buses will prove to be beneficial in reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions, as well as improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle. And so? A look to the future?

References:

Chrobak, U. (2021). Solar power got cheap. So why aren’t we using it more?. Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/story/environment/cheap-renewable-energy-vs-fossil-fuels

 

Cool2Effect (2021, June 1). Carbon footprint of solar panel manufacturing. https://www.cooleffect.org/solar-carbon-footprint#:~:text=Solar%20Energy%20Carbon%20Footprint&text=The%20solar%20panel's%20carbon%20footprint,solar%20power%20in%20your%20home.

 

Deakin, T. (2020). Solar panels for coach and bus: What are the benefits?. Route One. https://www.route-one.net/environment/solar-panels-for-coach-and-bus-what-are-the-benefits/

 

Kok, Y. (2021). Go-Ahead Singapore rolls out 6-month trial of public buses with solar panels. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/first-public-buses-with-solar-panels-hit-the-road-in-six-month-trial-by-go-ahead
Regen Power. (2021, August 10). Should buses use solar panels?. https://regenpower.com/articles/should-buses-use-solar-panels/#:~:text=Panels%20Specially%20Made%20for%20Buses&text=The%201.6mm%2Dthick%20panels,fuel%20and%20reduces%20carbon%20emissions.
Renewable Energy Hub. (2020, December 1). How solar panels reduce your carbon footprint. https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/how-solar-panels-can-reduce-your-carbon-footprint
Sawrey, G. (2016, December 16). The disadvantages of solar energy (cons): Cons of solar panels & solar power. Ecav. https://ecavo.com/solar-energy-disadvantages/
Suntuity Solar. (2021). Why going solar can help reduce emissions. https://suntuitysolar.com/suntuityblog/whygoingsolarcanhelpreduceemissions.html