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Nissan will showcase the roof-mounted solar system on the Sakura, Japan’s top-selling EV, next week. The “Ao-Solar Extender,” Nissan claims, can generate enough solar energy to power up to 3,000 km, or over 1,800 miles of free driving per year.
Nissan Sakura EV will soon gain a solar roof
The Sakura, Nissan’s electric kei car, has been Japan’s most popular EV for the past three years. Although Nissan said the Sakura is “often praised for its sufficient driving range,” it will soon get a boost from solar power.
Nissan installed the extendable, roof-mounted solar system, “AO-Solar Extender,” on a Sakura prototype, which it plans to showcase at the Japan Mobility Show later this month.
According to Nissan, the team that developed the system estimates it can generate enough solar electricity to provide up to 3,000 km (1,864 miles) of driving annually.
The extendable system enables the vehicle to draw power from the sun, whether it is parked or driving. When parked, the panel can expand outward, increasing the surface area and allowing it to collect additional energy from the sun. Nissan said it can potentially generate up to 500 Watts of power when extended.
Even when the panel is closed while driving, Nissan said it can generate up to 300 Watts. If it’s raining, it generates up to 80 Watts.
Although we’ve seen plenty of automakers showcase solar-mounted roof panels on prototypes, Nissan is planning to launch the AO-Solar Extender commercially. Nissan said more details, including a commercial launch date, will be announced later. Stay tuned.
The Japan Mobility Show kicks off on October 30, 2025. Press days start on October 29, so check back next week to see the prototype. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
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