Hanergy partners with Chinese EV group for solar-run cars, homes
Hanergy is teaming up with a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) group to develop thin-film solar technology for cars and homes. Among other projects, Hanergy and BAIC BJEV -- the EV unit of Beijing Automotive Group -- will work together on home- and vehicle-integrated solar panels and charging units. Rooftop solar could provide auxiliary, and possibly even main, power for a vehicle, in addition to charging, Hanergy claims. The pair will also add rooftop solar to BAIC BJEV's car factories. In addition, the partnership will explore the use of thin-film solar for agriculture and poverty alleviation.
Thin film solar cells in panoramic glass roofs of Audi models: Audi and Alta Devices, a subsidiary of the Chinese solar-cell specialist, Hanergy, are working together on this development project. With this cooperation, the partners aim to generate solar energy to increase the range of electric vehicles.

At a conference held at Hanergy’s headquarters in Beijing, the company announced a partnership with BAIC BJEV, the electric vehicle unit of Beijing Automotive Group.

The two companies will work together on applications including building and vehicle integrated solar panels and charging stations, and other projects utilizing thin film solar technology.

The companies will partner on developing rooftop solar for vehicles, which Hanergy says could provide auxiliary power, and even function as the main power source for a vehicle, as well as charging. The partnership will also cover adding rooftop solar to BAIC BJEV’s automobile factories.

On top of this, the two will also cooperate on building model villages incorporating all of these technologies, and other unspecified projects exploring the application of thin-film solar for agriculture and poverty alleviation.

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“Hanergy’s partnership with BAIC BJEV stands as a model for cooperation between the thin film solar and the new energy vehicle industries,” said Hanergy CEO Si Haijian. “reflecting the push within Chinese industry to transform energy production and consumption.”

Since announcing a return to profitability for full year 2016, Hanergy has announced several partnerships focused on integrating its thin film technology with vehicles, including a partnership with German car maker Audi, and with several major bikesharing companies.