Solar Electric Vehicles as Energy Sources in Disaster Zones: Quantified Model on Social Science Dynamics

This study examines the potential contribution of Solar Electric Vehicles (SEVs) and Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV) to disaster-related energy resilience through a probabilistic modeling framework. While previous research has highlighted the technical feasibility of EV-based support for microgrids and emergency facilities, it has paid limited attention to the behavioral uncertainty surrounding voluntary energy sharing by EV owners. To address this gap, we develop a Monte Carlo simulation model that integrates technical constraints, solar-generation variability, and heterogeneous participation probabilities to evaluate whether SEVs can sustain essential loads during prolonged outages. The analysis focuses on a worst-case scenario in which external lifelines are disrupted for seven days. Results indicate that approximately 450–1000 SEVs within a 5 km radius are required to maintain a continuous power supply, with BEVs requiring roughly twice as many units due to the absence of onboard PV generation. The findings highlight the sensitivity of resilience outcomes to user behavior and spatial vehicle distribution, underscoring the need for incentive mechanisms to encourage participation. Key limitations include simplified behavioral assumptions, region-specific irradiance conditions, and the exclusion of mobility constraints. Overall, the study provides a quantitative foundation for integrating SEVs into resilience planning while emphasizing the importance of social dynamics in determining real-world feasibility.