Solar Power for Commercial Transportation
Vehicle-integrated solar designed to support uptime, reduce idling, and maintain batteries across trucks, buses, and rail.
Tell Us About Your Fleet
Provide your vehicle platforms, electrical configuration, duty cycle, and operating conditions. Our engineering team will review and define next steps.
- Markets
- Commercial Transportation
Commercial transportation operations rely on multiple battery systems to support auxiliary loads during rest, staging, and storage.
These include batteries supporting TRUs, APUs, telematics, liftgates, and vehicle starting systems.
Solar power maintains battery charge during idle periods, reducing jump-starts, extending battery service life, and limiting unnecessary engine runtime.
Benefits
Idle Reduction
Maintain charge while vehicles are parked or staged.
Battery Protection
Reduce battery failures and extend service life.
Fewer Interuptions
Minimize jump-start events and emergency calls.
Lower Costs
Reduce idle-related fuel consumption and costs.
Fleet Deployment
Advantages
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Designed for Real Asset Installs: Fits trucks, buses, and rail.
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Always On: Charges automatically.
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Minimal Weight Impact: No payload penalty.
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Built for Harsh Environments: Handles vibration and weather.
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Low Maintenance: No fueling or moving parts.
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Compatible with Existing Systems: Works with onboard equipment.
Best Fit Fleet
Applications
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Trucking Fleets: Battery support during rest and staging.
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Transit Agencies: Reduced idle time for parked buses.
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Rail Operators: Power for monitoring and auxiliary systems.
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Maintenance Teams: Fewer jump-starts and battery replacements.
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Mixed Asset Fleets: Consistent power across vehicle types.
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Idle-Restricted Operations: Support compliance without downtime.
Proven in Commercial Operations
At C.R. England, we faced frequent dead batteries and high jumpstart costs on our tractors and trailers. Derek Durrant from Premier Truck Group introduced us to PowerFilm Solar’s panels. We tested eleven panels, including a 440W model for a tractor with an electric EPU. After three months, jumpstarts dropped to zero on test units, with panels maintaining a strong charge even after weeks of inactivity. When we experienced a minor issue, PowerFilm Solar quickly resolved it and improved their product. We’re very satisfied with the results and plan to continue using their panels.
After months of continuous battery-related issues, including over 40 jump starts and substantial battery-related expenses, I installed Powerfilm Solar chargers on 10 of my units. Since installation, I have had zero issues. It is hard to beat perfection.
We manage a large number of trucks that go out on lease, and battery issues were a constant headache. Before we started using the 50W Suction Cup Panels, we were dealing with dead batteries and jumpstarts far too often. The suction-cup installation is quick, and the integrated charge controller makes the whole setup extremely convenient because there’s nothing extra to install or monitor. Since adding these panels, our trucks stay charged and ready for customers, and we haven’t had a single jumpstart. It has worked so well that we’re now adding more units across the fleet.
Applications
Explore how our solar panels improve reliability, extend battery life, and reduce fuel consumption across long-haul and last-mile fleet vehicles.
Truck Batteries
Solar maintains battery charge when vehicles are parked or staged.
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Reduces jump-starts.
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Extends battery service life.
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Improves vehicle readiness.
Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)
Solar supports battery health without running the engine.
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Reduces idle time.
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Maintains charge during rest periods.
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Lowers idle-related fuel use.
Lift Gates & Auxiliary Equipment
Solar keeps power available throughout delivery cycles.
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Prevents mid-route failures.
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Reduces service calls.
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Supports consistent daily operation.
Telematics & Monitoring
Solar provides continuous power for onboard electronics.
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Maintains uptime while parked.
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Reduces reliance on engine charging.
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Improves data continuity.
Refrigeration (TRUs)
Solar supplements battery charging without additional idling.
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Reduces parasitic drain.
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Maintains charge between runs.
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Improves system reliability.
Buses
Solar supports auxiliary systems during layovers and depot parking.
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Maintains battery charge between routes.
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Reduces idle time at stops.
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Supports onboard electronics.
Rail Cars
Solar provides auxiliary power during yard time and storage.
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Powers monitoring and diagnostics.
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Maintains battery charge between yards.
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Reduces service intervention.
Next Steps
Tell us about your fleet, duty cycle, and integration requirements. We will review and follow up.
Tell Us About Your Fleet
Provide your vehicle platforms, electrical configuration, duty cycle, and operating conditions. Our engineering team will review and define next steps.
Review engineered solutions for trucks, trailers, buses, and rail platforms.