Wabash to advance solar solutions with $1.6M grant
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office recently awarded Wabash a $1.6 million grant to support a research and development project aimed at decarbonizing the refrigerated transportation industry.
The three-year project, set to begin next year in partnership with the University of Delaware’s Center for Composite Materials, focuses on integrating high-efficiency solar energy into reefer trailers and truck bodies. This innovation will play a pivotal role in making zero-emission mid-mile transportation a commercially viable option, the partners reported.
“This project has the potential to revolutionize refrigerated transport by reducing reliance on the electrical grid and minimizing overall emissions,” Michael Bodey, Wabash director of technology discovery and innovation, said in a news release. “While many of today’s zero-emission products focus on tailpipe emissions, they still draw power from energy grids, which often rely on non-renewable sources.
“Our goal is to offer a truly green solution—a well-to-wheel approach—that accounts for the full life cycle of energy consumption, from production to usage.”
Wabash will use its proprietary EcoNex technology, a composite material designed to enhance thermal efficiency and reduce energy consumption, while the University of Delaware will contribute its proprietary TuFF tech, which utilizes recycled aerospace-grade carbon fiber, to strengthen and lighten the trailers and truck bodies.
“By incorporating lightweight solar panels and utilizing EcoNex technology in refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, we are addressing two of the most significant barriers to electrification: Weight and energy consumption,” Bodey explained. “EcoNex not only improves the insulation and performance of the trailers but also contributes to overall weight reduction, making the solution even more efficient.”
See also: New composite material could change refrigerated transportation
Batteries powering heavy trucks can weigh between 5,000 and 10,000 lbs., often limiting the payload capacity and drawing significant energy from the electrical grid when charging. The goal of this project is to develop enabling technologies that reduce the weight and energy needs of these vehicles while offering fleet customers greener, more efficient transportation options.
“TuFF is the world’s strongest short-fiber composite that is reciprocal with sustainable solutions to the mobility industry,” said Srikanth Pilla, director of the Center for Composites Materials at the University of Delaware. “It’s great to collaborate with Wabash on building the most sustainable solar panel integrated refrigerated trailer for the trucking industry.”
Wabash was the only trailer and truck body OEM selected for this grant, highlighting its leadership position in sustainability and innovation, the manufacturer said. By focusing on mid-mile transportation, the project seeks to create a flexible solar energy system that can be CARB-compliant across different vehicle types, without requiring fully electric platforms to meet compliance.
This initiative is part of the DOE’s Silicon Solar Manufacturing and Dual-use Photovoltaics Incubator funding program, which supports advancements in PV technology across the supply chain and fosters new markets for American products. The outcomes of this project will help Wabash continue to evolve its technology ecosystem.
