China’s oldest car brand is exploring a new way to make electric vehicles more efficient: turning the vehicle’s own body into a solar power source.
FAW Hongqi has developed a solar-generating panoramic sunroof for the Hongqi EHS7 electric SUV, using flexible perovskite solar cells instead of traditional silicon panels. In its current form, the system is a proof-of-concept prototype, but the technology shows how future electric SUVs could gain extra driving range simply by sitting in the sun.
The most impressive claim is that, if the solar cells are integrated across more of the vehicle’s exterior surfaces, such as the roof and hood, the system could generate enough electricity to add up to 80 km, or about 50 miles, of range per day in ideal sunlight conditions. Hongqi says that could cover the daily commute needs of a large share of drivers.
Unlike conventional solar panels, which are usually made from rigid and fragile silicon, perovskite solar cells are lighter and more flexible. That makes them easier to shape around curved automotive surfaces, including panoramic glass roofs, hoods, and potentially other body panels. This flexibility is a major advantage for electric vehicle design, where aerodynamics, appearance, and durability all matter.
Perovskite materials can also be produced in different colors and levels of transparency, allowing automakers to blend solar technology into a vehicle without making it look like a standard rooftop solar installation. For a premium electric SUV like the Hongqi EHS7, this means the solar roof can remain stylish while still generating usable energy.
The technology supplier behind the solar modules initially provided FAW with 300 x 300 mm flexible perovskite panels before scaling the project to larger, square-meter-class modules. These panels were developed and tested through multiple stages, including performance evaluation, system validation, and vehicle integration.
The modules are designed to support several features that are especially useful for cars, including semi-transparency, custom colors, gradient effects, irregular shapes, adjustable voltage, and compatibility with high-curvature surfaces. These characteristics make them suitable for installation on areas like the panoramic roof and hood of an electric SUV.
According to Hongqi, the solar panoramic roof alone can generate around 300W of output. Over the course of a year, that could return approximately 400 kWh of energy to the vehicle’s battery, depending on sunlight exposure and driving conditions.
That amount of energy may not fully replace plug-in charging, but it could be highly useful for everyday vehicle functions. For example, solar energy from the roof could help power the air conditioning, onboard electronics, or an in-car refrigerator while the vehicle is parked. It could also reduce battery drain when the car is in standby or security monitoring mode.
The bigger ambition is to expand the use of perovskite solar cells beyond the sunroof and integrate them into more of the EHS7’s body surface. If enough exterior panels are covered, Hongqi estimates the system could generate up to 10 kWh of electricity per day under favorable conditions. That would be enough to provide around 50 miles of solar-powered driving range.
Of course, real-world performance will depend heavily on weather, location, parking habits, season, and how much direct sunlight the vehicle receives. Drivers in sunny regions would benefit more than those in cloudy climates or dense urban areas where cars are often parked in shade or garages.
Even so, the concept is promising because perovskite solar cells are expected to be relatively low cost compared with some traditional photovoltaic technologies. Hongqi suggests that integrating these panels may not dramatically increase the price of the vehicle, especially as production methods improve.
If the added cost can be balanced by free daily energy generation, solar-assisted electric vehicles could become more attractive to commuters. For drivers with short daily routes, a vehicle that regains meaningful range while parked could reduce charging frequency and lower electricity costs over time.
The Hongqi EHS7 solar roof project highlights a growing trend in the electric vehicle industry: using every available surface to improve efficiency. Instead of relying only on larger batteries and faster chargers, automakers are beginning to explore integrated solar panels, smarter energy management, and lightweight materials to extend range in more sustainable ways.
While solar-powered cars are not yet ready to replace traditional EV charging, the Hongqi EHS7 prototype shows how solar technology could become a useful supporting feature. A panoramic roof that generates power, keeps systems running, and adds range during the day could be a practical step toward more energy-independent electric vehicles.
For now, the perovskite solar roof remains a prototype, but it points to a future where electric SUVs may be able to harvest sunlight directly from their own surfaces. If Hongqi can successfully bring this technology to production, it could make solar-assisted EVs more appealing, more efficient, and more practical for daily driving.
