Influence of Different Driving Patterns and Electrical Designs on VIPV Performance

This study evaluates the potential performance of Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV) under varying driving and parking patterns across European locations, including Athens, Paris, and Helsinki. By analyzing distinct dynamic driver usage scenarios such as commuting, long-distance travel, short trips, and average yearly driving behaviors, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of usage patterns on VIPV efficiency. The target is to design a one single VIPV-system capable of covering the monthly electric vehicle HVAC (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning) energy requirements, for as many observed scenarios as possible. As a result, a PV size of 1.64m2 was selected, sufficient to widely cover the regarded HVAC demands, especially with short-distance and commuter drive profiles. The study also examines the energy optimization during partial shading conditions by studying different electrical architectures, like varying bypass diodes and Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPTs). This analysis shows that both the intensity and pattern of shading influence the optimal electrical configuration, with high-intensity shading favoring a configuration with 35 bypass diodes for a 1.64m² PV area. Overall, these findings demonstrate substantial variability in VIPV performance depending on geographic location, driving behavior, and system design, providing key insights for optimizing VIPV systems across diverse use cases.