Can Solar Panels Improve Efficiency in Commercial Trucking?

Solar Power for Trucks: Efficient Solution or Overhyped Trend?

NOTE: The images in this post are stylized to show solar panels mounted on commercial trucks clearly. In real-world applications, panels are typically flush-mounted and low-profile, making them much less visible.

The commercial trucking industry constantly seeks ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. 

Solar technology is emerging as a promising solution, but can it deliver useful power? 

While solar panels won’t replace traditional power sources, they can support key systems, such as starting batteries, APUs/EPUs, TRUs, liftgates, and telematics. 

Many fleets already utilize solar energy to reduce fuel consumption, minimize idling, prevent jumpstarts, and extend battery life. 

In this post, we’ll explain how solar panels work for trucks, what they can power, and whether they’re worth the investment.

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Why Solar Panels for Commercial Trucks?

Solar panels are increasingly being installed on commercial trucks to provide auxiliary power. 

For a deeper understanding of how solar technology integrates with trucking, check out our post: The Fleet Manager's Guide to Solar Power: 5 Key Applications for Commercial Trucks.

The primary reasons include:

• Fuel Savings: Solar reduces the need for idling by powering auxiliary systems, saving fuel costs.

• Reduced Strain on Batteries: Solar helps maintain battery charge (for starting batteries, TRU, and EPU batteries), preventing deep discharges that can shorten battery life.

• Lower Maintenance Costs: Less dependency on engine power minimizes wear and tear.

• Environmental Benefits: Solar reduces emissions, helping fleets meet environmental standards.

Solar is a promising solution for fleet managers seeking to lower costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

Understanding Solar Output in Real-World Conditions

The effectiveness of solar panels largely depends on unpredictable real-world conditions. 

To understand the output of solar panels on commercial trucks, it's essential to consider the following key factors:

• Panel Wattage: Common panels for trucks range from 20W to 400W and beyond. The higher the wattage, the more power is generated.
  
  
• Sun Exposure: Panels are most effective when exposed to direct sunlight. Cloudy days and shade will reduce output.
  
  
• Panel Efficiency: Different panels have varying efficiency ratings — the best, utilizing high-quality cells, can reach up to 24% and higher.
  
  
• Geographical Location: Sunny regions, such as the Southwest, benefit more than areas with frequent overcast skies.

What Can Solar Panels Actually Power?

Solar panels work most effectively when paired with a battery system.

Due to fluctuating sunlight, directly powering devices from solar panels isn't practical. 

Instead, solar energy, combined with a charge controller, charges batteries, which then supply consistent power. 

Here’s a breakdown of what solar energy can help power:

• Starting Battery Support: Solar can help maintain charge on starting batteries, preventing deep discharges and jump-starts.
  
  
• GPS and Telematics Systems: Maintaining data and communication tools.
  
  
• EPUs and Battery-Supported HVAC Systems: Solar panels keep these systems charged, reducing the need for engine or APU starts. This saves fuel, prevents sleep-disrupting restarts, and helps ensure the truck is ready when drivers return to duty.
  
  
• Reefer (TRU) Battery Management: Solar panels help extend the life and reliability of refrigeration unit batteries, ensuring that cargo remains at optimal temperatures even during long hauls.
  
  
• Liftgate Battery Management: Solar charging systems provide supplemental power to liftgate batteries, reducing strain on the primary power source and ensuring reliable operation during frequent loading and unloading.

The synergy between solar energy and batteries enables smooth power delivery and extended functionality.

How Fleets Are Using Solar: Real-World Applications by Fleet Type

Solar isn't one-size-fits-all—it delivers different benefits depending on your fleet's operation type.

Here's how various fleets are leveraging solar to reduce costs and improve uptime:

Long-Haul Fleets

• EPU & Battery-Powered HVAC Support: Solar helps charge electric climate control systems, reducing idling and avoiding noisy engine or APU restarts during rest periods.
  
  
• Sleeper Cab Systems: These systems maintain power to HVAC, lights, and small electronics without draining starting batteries. They also reduce the depth of discharge that damages batteries and increase battery lifetime.
  
  

Refrigerated Fleets

• TRU Battery Management: This system maintains refrigeration unit batteries during dwell time or off-engine hours, ensuring temperature compliance and preventing spoilage.
  
  
• Extended Standby Readiness: Prevents TRU battery drain at docks or in yard storage.

Urban & Last-Mile Delivery Fleets

• Liftgate Support: Reduces strain on charging systems and damage to electromechanical components from use at low battery voltages by keeping liftgate batteries topped off, especially useful for frequent stops.
  
  
• Telematics Reliability: Ensures GPS, ELDs, and comms stay powered during short stops or engine-off periods.

Benefits Beyond Power Generation

Solar panels offer advantages beyond powering devices. 

Implementing solar technology delivers long-term operational and financial benefits, including:

• Fuel Savings: Reducing idling results in lower fuel consumption.
  
  
• Extended Battery Life: Less strain on batteries leads to longer lifespans, including starting batteries, which are costly to replace and essential to uptime.
  
  
• Lower Maintenance Costs: Less engine usage decreases wear and tear.
  
  
• Compliance with Green Initiatives: Many regions incentivize green energy solutions, making solar a strategic investment.

Estimating ROI: How Quickly Does Solar Pay Off?

For many fleets, solar isn’t just about sustainability—it’s a smart financial move.

Here's a quick look at the potential return on investment for a typical long-haul truck setup:

• System cost: $350–$2,000 (depending on which solar solution you select)
  
  
• Fuel savings: 219 gallons/year by cutting 1 hour of idling daily ($1,168/year at $4/gallon)
  
  
• Battery life extension: $125–$250/year per battery
  
  
• Total annual savings: $1,300–$1,400 per truck
  
  
• Payback period: 12–16 months
  
  

Fleets with high idle time or frequent liftgate and TRU usage often see even faster returns. 

For most, solar starts paying off well within the second year.

Limitations and Considerations

While solar energy is beneficial, it has its limitations. 

Here are the main challenges to be aware of:

• Weather Dependence: Cloudy days reduce effectiveness.
  
  
• Initial Costs: The upfront investment can be high, though the ROI can be short in many cases.
  
  
• Installation Space: Space on a truck is limited; careful planning is required.

Truck technology and power demands are advancing; however, with more efficient panels and lighter designs, solar continues to help overcome these barriers.

Integration and Maintenance Considerations

Solar systems are relatively easy to integrate with most modern trucks during scheduled downtime and are typically compatible with EPUs, TRUs, liftgates, and other battery-supported systems.

Ongoing maintenance is minimal, consisting of occasional panel cleaning and wiring inspections during routine preventive maintenance. Most techs can get up to speed quickly with minimal training, and advanced systems can be monitored remotely via telematics.

In short, solar adds little complexity to fleet operations while offering long-term reliability gains.

Is Solar Worth It for Commercial Fleets?

The bottom line is that solar panels are useful for commercial trucking, but context matters. 

Solar alone won't power a truck, but it can significantly reduce the load on engines and batteries, saving money and reducing emissions. 

Solar can especially be a game-changer for fleets that run long distances with extended idling.

Solar Power: A Smart Move for Fleet Managers

Solar won’t replace your engine or eliminate every fuel cost, but it can make a measurable difference where it counts.

Solar improves uptime, reliability, and long-term ROI by reducing idle time and fuel consumption, while supporting critical systems, including TRUs, EPUs, and liftgates. It also aligns with growing sustainability goals and increasing regulatory pressure for greener operations.

Fleet managers don’t need to overhaul their systems to start seeing benefits. Solar can be phased in gradually—by truck type, use case, or region—to build value over time. 

Solar deserves serious consideration if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, high-impact way to increase efficiency.

Ready to explore how solar fits into your fleet?

Contact us today to find out how to get started.

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