We present an analysis of the performance data of a monitored PV system onboard a light commercial electric vehicle during parking and driving conditions. The PV system’s nominal power is 2180 WP with flat silicon modules on the vehicle’s roof, rear, left, and right sides, as well as other electronic components needed to charge the vehicle’s high-voltage (HV) battery. The analysis indicated that after 488.92 hours of operation, the modules mounted on the vehicle roof produced 133.32 kWh of electricity during parking compared to 15.4, 30.67, and 22.99 kWh for the modules mounted on the rear, left, and right sides, respectively. During the trips, after 31.99 hours of operation, 6.12, 0.68, 1.08, and 1.86 kWh of electricity were produced by the modules on the roof, rear, left, and right sides, respectively. The overall system efficiency was in the 60-65 % range. The aggregated usable electricity reaching the HV battery after multiple conversion stages generated by the system at the two parking locations was 129.39 kWh. PV electricity generated at the two parking locations enabled a range extension of approximately 530 km, which is 30% of the total distance driven during the measurement period between April and July 2021.

This study uncovers the impact of geographic variability on the distribution of sunlight on vehicle surfaces, focusing on two distinct scenarios: the flat-surface cargo area of a small delivery truck and the entire body of a commercial passenger vehicle. We employ a commuter pattern driving profile in Germany and a broader analysis incorporating random sampling of various road types and locations across Europe and the USA using LIDAR-derived topography and OpenStreetMap data. Our findings reveal significant irradiation inhomogeneity patterns shaped by the geographic landscape, road configurations, urban planning, and vegetation. The research identifies topography as the primary factor affecting irradiation distribution uniformity, with the vehicle’s surface orientation and curvature serving as secondary influencers. These insights hold immense potential for improving the design and efficiency of vehicle-integrated photovoltaic systems, presenting a foundational knowledge base from which to optimize energy capture in diverse environmental conditions.