DHL has been installing Trailar-brand solar panel units on its U.S. pickup and delivery fleet, generating electricity for lift gates, the battery, and other equipment. Solar technology is now flexible, thin, easily installed, and reliable enough for trucking applications. Fleets install solar panels to reduce reliance on truck alternator power and keep auxiliary batteries charged.

Kevin Otto of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency notes that solar panels provide a trickle charge when the sun is shining. Challenges arise from increased electrical loads on engine alternators, leading fleets to install auxiliary batteries and look for supplemental sources of recharge.

Solar provides a trickle charge to keep batteries topped off, preventing them from going dead. Properly sized solar panels can deliver additional current and battery charging capacity for refrigeration units, electric liftgates, and telematics devices.

10 Tips for Spec’ing the Right Liftgate:

• Consider adding solar panels to trailers to extend battery life and manage electrical loads. Measure the trailer, consider lifts per day, load weights and sizes, and weather/climate.
• Mount the appropriate number of panels, connect to the charge controller, then connect to the vehicle’s electrical system.
• Single 3-foot by 6-foot panel to enhance operation without too much expense.
• Consider the total cost of panels with installation, panel rating and physical size, battery replacement rate, roadside calls, and country of use.
• Benefits include reduced idling, less load on alternators, increased battery life, and fewer roadside calls.
• Maxon Lift Gate works with Merlin Solar for solar panels to power its lift gates.

An Eye on Electrification

Arnold Kowal, director for after-sales support at Maxon Lift, said: “Electrification is a different ballgame for the liftgate industry; it’s still in the early stages, with only a tiny percentage of commercial vehicles being electrified.” Truck electrification will affect the liftgate industry in various ways, such as:

• Reducing the overall weight of product offerings to increase vehicle payload, weight distribution, and battery range
• Offering future liftgate models as full bolt-on applications, in 12 and 24-volt configurations, to eliminate the welding process

Sources: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10192351/using-solar-power-for-liftgates