Kick‑off meeting: launch of the HyPVCar‑CM project.
On January 28th, 2026, the kick‑off meeting of the project Hybrid Structures for Integration of PV Cells in Car Bodies (HyPVCar‑CM), reference SYG‑2024/ECO‑1016, took place within the R&D Activities Program for Research Groups under the Synergistic modality, funded by the Community of Madrid.
For its development, a consortium has been established, composed of two research groups from the Community of Madrid whose scientific and technical activities fall into two different sub‑areas. The first group is the Instruments and Systems Integration group at the Technical University of Madrid, part of the Solar Energy Institute, whose research lines focus on reducing the cost of solar electricity through the development of concentrator photovoltaic technology, as well as new concepts in systems, optics, and instrumentation.
On the other hand, the Physical Simulation and Characterization group from the IMDEA Materials Institute participates in the project. This group conducts research on the design and development of metallic and composite materials, leveraging computational engineering techniques and multi‑scale characterization.
Collaboration between both groups aims to address a key scientific challenge: establishing the foundations for integrating photovoltaic cells into metallic and aluminum structures intended for automotive applications. This integration requires the development of multilayer hybrid structures capable of meeting demanding requirements regarding durability, aesthetics, encapsulation, electrical insulation, manufacturability, and cost‑effectiveness. Although several implementation attempts have been made in recent years, current industry solutions remain insufficient for full integration, highlighting the need to tackle these challenges through new technological developments.
The transport sector is responsible for one quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, with passenger cars representing more than 75% of this share. Although electric vehicles (EVs) reduce emissions during use, their dependence on the electrical grid brings additional challenges, especially when that energy does not come from renewable sources. In this scenario, the integration of photovoltaic solar energy in vehicles (VIPV) emerges as an innovative solution to extend driving range, reduce charging frequency, and decrease the carbon footprint of transport.
The Hybrid Structures for Integration of Photovoltaic Cells in Car Bodies (HyPVCar‑CM) project, reference SYG‑2024/ECO‑1016, adopts an integrated approach that combines materials science, mechanical engineering, and photovoltaic technology. The project will investigate solutions to integrate solar cells into steel and aluminum, optimizing both the design and the manufacturing processes—from defining multilayer architectures to validating representative curved prototypes.
During the kick‑off meeting, the current state of the art was discussed, various representative samples were reviewed, and the next steps and project work approach were defined. A brief overview of management, communication, and dissemination actions was also provided, concluding the session with a visit to the laboratories.
