In 1984, Greg Johanson and Joel Davidson developed the first car powered exclusively by solar energy, the Sunrunner.
The Sunrunner was totally powered by solar energy. It had a 1.2kW solar array, a 1hp wheel motor, and a MPPT controller and no batteries.
The Sunrunner, piloted by Greg, set the first speed record for a solar car in the Guinness Book of World Records, reaching a top speed of 41 mph.
Test Bed Vehicle
250 watt 0.5 hp with batteries
Sunraycer
600 watt solar module, 6kW battery
Sunrunner
1.2kW solar array, no batteries
Guinness World record holder at
41 miles per hour
Since 1984, Greg has worked exclusively in the solar energy industry and his company, Solar Electrical Systems in Westlake Village, has become the oldest and largest installer of PV systems for residential and commercial applications.
In 1999 – Hybrid powered vehicles are introduced to the market with the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. HEV's have limited or no capability to operate in the “electric mode” due to the limitations of the HV battery pack or the vehicle's hybrid system or controller.
In mid 2005, SEV was formed to develop a viable solar system that could provide supplemental charging capability to the HEV with the application of an accessory solar panel and other critical charging system components.
Late 2005 - SEV is the first to design, test and manufacture a international patent pending system with a compound convex custom molded solar module exclusively for hybrid vehicles and the 2004 to 2008 Toyota Prius.
SEV worked with leading solar industry suppliers to develop the technology and materials for the solar module and has invested several hundred thousand dollars to develop this patent pending technology.
SEV engineered, designed and manufactured the system to overcome the inherent limitations of the original equipment system and take full advantage of renewable energy as an alternative energy source .
