Nissan Ariya concept uses solar power to gain extra kilometres

Nissan rolled out the Ariya Solar Panel Concept for the International Day of Clean Energy on January 26.

The Ariya concept has 3.8 square metres of polymer and glass-based solar panels covering its bonnet, roof, and rear windscreen. All up there are 480 cells capable of generating peak power of 700W, or up to 4kWh in a day.

Nissan says that in ideal conditions, the solar panels can add up to 23km of range in one day. According to the automaker’s calculations, the Ariya Solar Panel Concept will gain an extra 10.2km of range per day in London, a city not famed for its clear skies.

In cities with sunnier climes, the number of extra kilometres rises with Barcelona averaging 17.6km per day, New Delhi 18.9km a day, and Dubai 21.2km every day.

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The concept was developed by Nissan’s product planning team in Dubai and powertrain division in Barcelona, with the solar panels coming from Dutch company Lightyear.

Between 2022 and 2023 Lightyear produced a super-aerodynamic sedan — priced from €250,000 (A$430,000) — covered in solar panels, which could add up to 70km of range per day, assuming it was a sunny summer’s day in southern Spain.

If it’s unknown how much the Ariya concept’s 700W setup would cost if it became available as an option.

Should Nissan decide to put the Ariya solar concept or something like it into production, it won’t be the first showroom-ready car to feature integrated solar panels.

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is available overseas with a solar roof option, which in the US adds US$610 (A$880) to the price. The Prius solar roof is capable of generating a maximum of 185W, or up to 2.2kWh in a day for around 10km of extra range.

Other manufacturers have dabbled with solar panels in the past, including Mazda, which had a solar-powered ventilation system available in the Jaguar-inspired 1991 Mazda 929, as well as the later Eunos 800/Mazda Millenia. As these cars didn’t have an electric drivetrain of any description, the solar panels simply powered fans to remove hot air while the car was parked.

MORE: Explore the Nissan Ariya showroom