Work trucks continue drawing power even when they’re parked. GPS units, telematics devices, security cameras, ECMs, sensors, keyless entry systems, and other onboard electronics create a constant parasitic load. That load can accelerate battery depletion, reduce battery life, increase maintenance requirements, and create unexpected downtime that impacts fleet productivity and operating costs.
Vanair®, a Lincoln Electric Company’s EPEQ® Solar Assist™ is a patented mobile solar charging system engineered specifically for work trucks, fleet vehicles, and OEM equipment to help offset the continuous electrical loads that drain vehicle batteries. By converting solar energy into supplemental charging power, Solar Assist™ helps maintain battery state of charge during idle periods, reducing battery stress while supporting vehicle readiness.
How EPEQ® Solar Assist™ Works
- Solar panels capture sunlight
- Patented mesh-grid solar technology collects sunlight from multiple angles.
- The panels begin producing energy earlier in the morning and continue later into the day than traditional solar designs.
- MPPT controller optimizes output
- The MPPT controller constantly adjusts operating conditions to harvest the maximum available energy from the solar panel.
- This technology can deliver up to 45% more usable energy than conventional PWM controllers, especially in cloudy or low-light conditions.
- Battery charge is maintained
- The harvested solar energy replenishes power consumed by onboard electronics while the vehicle is parked.
- By offsetting parasitic loads, the system helps maintain battery voltage and reduces deep discharge events.
- Fleet reliability improvement
- Batteries stay healthier longer.
- Fewer jump starts and roadside service events occur.
- Reduced strain on starters and alternators helps extend component life.
- Vehicles are more likely to be ready when operators need them.
Solar Energy to Reduce Battery Stress
Designed as a supplemental charging technology rather than a primary power source, Solar Assist™ helps maintain battery state of charge during idle periods, reducing battery stress and supporting vehicle readiness.
By leveraging clean solar energy to offset parasitic loads, fleets can improve battery reliability, reduce replacement frequency, and take a meaningful step toward lower-emission fleet operations.
