Driving on Sunshine: Nissan Celebrates Clean Energy Day With A Solar‑Powered Ariya Concept

Nissan ARIYA solar powered concept

At Cars2 Yorkshire, we’re lucky enough to represent Nissan at two of our dealerships, so when Nissan shares future-thinking ideas, we don’t just read them - we imagine what they could mean for our customers and for everyday driving here in the UK.

To mark Clean Energy Day, Nissan has revealed something genuinely exciting: a solar-powered Nissan ARIYA concept - a glimpse into how tomorrow’s electric cars might literally top themselves up while they sit on your driveway, at the office, or parked outside the shops.

An EV that can charge from sunlight

Engineered by Nissan’s advanced teams in Dubai and Barcelona, the concept ARIYA integrates 3.8m² of high-efficiency photovoltaic solar panels into the bonnet, roof and tailgate.

These panels convert sunlight directly into usable DC electricity via a dedicated energy controller, helping the vehicle rely less on plug-in charging.

In simple terms: the car generates some of its own power just by being outside.


What the testing showed

Real-world testing gives us a good idea of what this could mean for drivers:

  • Up to 14.3 miles of extra range on a bright sunny day
  • Around 6.3 miles per day in London-type conditions
  • Up to 65% fewer charging sessions, depending on usage
  • A typical two-hour, 50-mile drive could create around 0.5 kWh of clean energy - roughly 1.8 miles of free range

For drivers, that means fewer trips to a charger, lower running costs and more flexibility - especially handy for people who can’t always plug in at home.


Why this matters to our customers

Most EV drivers already love the smooth drive and low running costs - but charging convenience is still the biggest question we’re asked in our showrooms.

Technology like this could change that conversation entirely.

Imagine:

  • topping up your car while it’s parked at work
  • gaining range while shopping
  • or simply letting the car recover miles on your driveway during a sunny afternoon

It turns the car into part of your home’s clean-energy ecosystem, rather than just another appliance you have to plug in.


A partnership and a bigger goal

The project came from a simple question - what if an EV could charge itself?
Nissan worked alongside solar mobility specialists Lightyear to bring next-generation solar panel technology into a real vehicle concept.

It’s also part of Nissan’s wider ambition: achieving carbon neutrality across its vehicles and operations by 2050.


Our view at Cars2 Yorkshire

We already see huge interest in the Nissan ARIYA and other electric models across Yorkshire. Concepts like this show EVs aren’t standing still - they’re evolving fast.

Today, you plug your car in.
Tomorrow, your car might quietly recharge itself.

And when innovations like this reach production, you can be sure Cars2 Yorkshire will be ready to help customers experience them first-hand.

If you’d like to learn more about going electric with Nissan, our teams at both of our Nissan dealerships are always happy to chat - no technical jargon required, just honest advice.