Design, Development, and Testing of a Solar/PV-Grid-integrated EV Charger/Converter for a Pick-up Truck Tonneau

Worksport has recently launched TerraVis®, a photovoltaic (PV), folding tonneau cover, that stores solar energy into a bed-mounted Lithium batteries. The solar tonneau cover will incorporate high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels whose cells are modular, so any dead ones can be swapped out. A battery bank installed in the bed will house modular Li-ion batteries that can store more than 2 kW of power. There will also be a mobile, breakaway power pack, with a 4.0 kW AC power inverter and two, 2.0 kW outlets. Phase 1 of this project involves realizing version 1.0 of the TerraVis®, leading to prototyping and pre-production. Thereafter, the project involves the design and development of a novel power electronic converter topology to implement version 2.0 and above of the TerraVis® tonneau infrastructure. Another objective in developing version 2.0 of the TerraVis® is to enhance PV performance using thermal interface materials.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sheldon Williamson

Student:

Partner:

Worksport Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Program: