Nissan and Dutch solar mobility specialists Lightyear have unveiled a solar-powered version of the all-electric Ariya SUV for Clean Energy Day 2026.
The one-off prototype features 3.8m² of high-efficiency solar panels integrated into the hood, roof, and boot. These photovoltaic panels convert sunlight directly into DC power that feeds back to the vehicle’s battery pack.
Lightyear developed the polymer and glass-based solar panels specifically for this collaboration.
The self-charging system uses an advanced controller designed by Nissan’s Advanced Product and Powertrain Planning teams. This manages how the solar-generated power integrates with the Ariya’s existing charging systems.
Real-World Performance Testing
Testing showed the solar panels extend the Ariya’s standard 330-mile range by 14.3 miles under WLTP conditions. In high-sunlight cities like Barcelona, the photovoltaic system added 10.9 miles to the vehicle’s range.
Year-round sunlight averages revealed varying benefits across different climates:
- London: 6.3 additional miles per day
- Dubai: 8.2 additional miles per day
- New Delhi: 11.7 additional miles per day
The solar charging reduces how often drivers need to plug into external charging infrastructure.
Shunsuke Shigemoto, Nissan’s ePowertrain vice president, said the solar-powered Ariya provides insight into the company’s future EV development.
“This concept is not just a technical milestone, it’s a vision of how Nissan intends to lead the next phase of electric mobility. The solar‑powered Ariya concept embodies Nissan’s belief that innovation and sustainability must move forward hand‑in‑hand.”
He added that exploring vehicle-generated renewable energy opens opportunities for greater customer freedom and reduced charging dependency.
Industry Solar Integration
Nissan’s strategic partner Renault has been pursuing similar solar technology. Last year, the French manufacturer revealed its Emblème ‘rolling laboratory’ with roof-integrated solar panels designed to boost the vehicle’s 40kWh battery as a supplementary charging system.
The solar-powered Ariya remains a Clean Energy Day 2026 one-off prototype for now. However, the technology demonstrates how established automakers are integrating renewable energy generation directly into electric vehicles rather than relying solely on grid charging infrastructure.
