Mercedes-Benz: Paint that produces energy in the sun

The idea proposed by Mercedes-Benz engineers is not new: the idea of ​​painting roofs with photovoltaic compounds, which would act as solar panels, has already been put forward. However, the matter did not progress beyond experiments.


Mercedes-Benz specialists from the R&D department assure that the composition they have developed will ensure car "free" mileage of 20 thousand km. The specific figure depends on the region - the number of sunny days per year. However, even in cities where it is cloudy, the charge will be enough for trips, for example, to work, to the store and back.

The essence of innovation

The photovoltaic paint will be applied to the car body and will be only 5 microns thick (this is approximately 50 g per 1 sq. m). On top of it, it will be covered with a protective varnish that transmits 94% of light.


The innovative composition does not contain rare earth elements, it is non-toxic and inexpensive raw materials are used in the production of paint. You can also understand from the company's press release:

✅ the surface to be painted is 11 sq. m, which is equal to a medium-sized SUV
✅ paint efficiency – 20%
✅ minimum mileage – in the “worst” case 12 thousand km, in Beijing 14 thousand, sunny Los Angeles – 20 thousand km.
✅ production of the composition is less expensive compared to panels
✅ paint is easy to dispose of

The last plus is important for fans of "free" energy. How to dispose of solar panels after their service life has expired is still unclear. According to the developer, a driver living in the city (the same Stuttgart, where Mercedes are made) travels an average of 52 km.


If you use the presented photovoltaic paint, 62% of the energy consumed by an electric car can be compensated. The composition can be of any color, but preference is given to dark shades, because they absorb sunlight better. At the same time, light from each body panel is constantly supplied to the battery: regardless of whether the engine is running or not, the car is standing or moving.

prehistory

Photovoltaic paint has been developed for a long time. True, not for cars, but for houses. For example, a similar material was created several years ago by the University of Buffalo (USA), and the spray composition was made in Canada (Toronto). The practical use of photovoltaic compositions would reduce the consumption of electricity from traditional sources. And this will lead to a decrease in harmful emissions into the atmosphere when burning hydrocarbons.


But here's the problem: according to experts, paint can become a commercial product with an efficiency of at least 10%. And for now, this figure is at 8%. However, Mercedes-Benz R&D promised as much as 20%, which experts find hard to believe. However, 12 years ago, scientists from the University of Notre Dame created photovoltaic paint with an efficiency of only 1%. So "there is no limit to perfection"!

Secret ingredient in the composition

The company representatives do not talk about the main component that provides the above results. However, judging by the statement, it does not contain rare earth elements. At the same time, production is quite inexpensive, as is the material itself. This means that we are most likely talking about the so-called perovskite elements, only in liquid form. This substance (its unusual properties were discovered 10 years ago), based on lead (or tin) halide, which “knows how” to collect light.


However, laboratory testing of this material revealed that it is short-lived, as it is destroyed by moisture and even ultraviolet radiation. However, to eliminate the latter drawback, perhaps a protective varnish will be used, which the company mentions.