ZF launches SolarBoost solar retrofit for bus fleets

ZF has launched SolarBoost, a retrofittable solar panel system designed to supply power to the 24-volt electrical systems of medium and large city and coach buses. The solution generates electricity during vehicle operation to continuously recharge the auxiliary battery, with ZF citing potential fuel savings of up to 3.5% depending on operating profile and weather conditions.

The system is intended to reduce battery replacement frequency, with ZF reporting that operators save the equivalent of one battery per year of operation. By offsetting load on the alternator, SolarBoost reduces demand on the drive engine, lowering both fuel consumption and maintenance costs across a fleet.

Installation requires no drilling or rewiring and can be carried out using standard tools in an operator’s own workshop, with a video tutorial provided by ZF. The system connects via Bluetooth to a monitoring app, enabling real-time performance tracking. ZF said the design is built to withstand vibrations and weather exposure, and the product carries a five-year warranty with repair kits available.

SolarBoost is compatible with existing bus fleets without structural modification, allowing operators to scale deployment across multiple vehicles with minimal disruption to operations.

Source: ZF