INNOVATION

Pioneering Solar Mobility

At SonoSolar, we are transforming the future of transportation by delivering cutting-edge solar technology designed specifically for the commercial vehicle and automotive industry. Throughout our history since the foundation of the Sono Motors GmbH back in 2016, we have been at the forefront of developing such innovative solar technologies, shaping the way Solar Mobility and Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics (ViPV) are perceived today in the vehicle industry. Several developments, released products or customer projects have marked significant milestones in the market, pushing the cutting edge of solar mobility technology.

Why SonoSolar?

As OEM suppliers of solar integration solutions, we are adding up a decade of dedicated experience and innovation in merging photovoltaic systems with vehicle architectures. Other than various solar companies, our roots lie in automotive development. Since the beginning we have been thinking solar from a holistic perspective, putting the vehicles first and developing the solar technology accordingly. Having a strong team of experts from the vehicle, solar, digital and electronics industry, we develop our own hardware and software products in-house. That's why we are able to tailor our solar solutions to our customers' needs.

Pioneering as Solar Car OEM

First-of-its-kind Solar Electric Vehicle

As Sono Motors GmbH we had been pioneering solar mobility by developing the first-of-its-kind affordable and family-friendly solar electric passenger vehicle, called the “Sion”. The 5-seater was covered all-around the exterior with solar cells, turning the battery-electric vehicle into a solar-electric vehicle. Having developed the car from scratch, the company’s experts did not just gain incredible experience in making solar vehicles. Even more, several cutting-edge solar technologies have been developed in-house, which laid the foundation for the future success of Sono as a solar technology provider. Besides the unique solar electronics and data products, one of the outstanding technologies is the polymer moulding process to manufacture seamlessly integrated, 3D-shaped solar exterior body panels. This technology allowed Sono to integrate Solar Cells not just on the roof, but also on doors, hood and fenders – passing all relevant crash requirements. Being comprehensively patented, the technology still gains interest by several vehicle OEMs.

Innovation that drives transformation:

First affordable, family-friendly solar EV
Ground-up solar EV architecture
Full-body solar integration
Patented polymer moulding process
Crash-tested innovation
In-house developed high voltage solar electronics
Advanced data tools

Pioneering Solar Electronics

Unique Solar Charge Controllers and Solar Digital Products

A crucial part of developing a solar electric vehicle is to have solar electronics and digital products which enable a smooth and safe electrical integration as well as an attractive user experience. As no suitable solar electronics for automotive applications was available, Sono Motors developed these hardware and software products on their own: Solar Charge Controllers specifically designed for the challenging requirements of mobile applications as well as a tailored dashboard and telematics integration. These products are key to mastering the interface between vehicles and solar systems. Being able to customize for our customers needs, instead of relying on off-the-shelf products, puts us in the pole position for partnering with vehicle OEMs.

Inventing what matters:

Modular and flexible system architecture
High compatibility with vehicle systems
Control over the full value chain
First-of-its-kind high and low voltage and Solar Charge Controllers
Custom dashboard software
Vehicle telematics integration
No reliance on off-the-shelf products
deep solar-vehicle integration expertise

Pioneering Solar Vehicle Homologation

General Type Approval for Solar Integration

In the beginning of 2025, Sono could proudly announce that it has become the first company in Germany to receive national road approval in the form of a General Operating Permit (ABE) or Type Approval (TTG) for its Solar Bus Kit. This certification is the first of its kind in Germany for vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (ViPV) and marks a milestone for the expansion and use of ViPV in Europe. By this step, Sono flattens the way for a faster adaption of solar on vehicles – another pioneering achievement.

System-level innovation with measurable impact:

First ViPV system with national Type Approval
precedent for solar vehicle certification
Certified for real-world road use
Reduced market entry barriers
Applicable to fleet-wide deployments
Combined hardware, safety, and compliance expertise
Established benchmark for future ViPV systems

Pioneering Solar OEM integration

Solar Integration from the bus production line

In 2025, Sono achieved another first of its kindmilestone together with MAN Truck & Bus SE, by offering a SonoSolar Solution as an accessory for their Lion’s Coach Series – being delivered and pre-installed in the production line. With that step, SonoSolar and MAN push Solar Integration to the next level. Making solar solutions ready for integration within the production line, Sono and MAN are the first ones to offer solar first hand. Bus operators benefit from this convenience over the full life cycle of the buses. And passengers profit from enhanced travel comfort – day after day.

Solar innovation that scales:

First solar solution pre-installed at OEM production line
Proved solar’s readiness for serial production
OEM-grade process integration
Accessory offering direct from factory
Energy savings across the full lifecycle

Your challenge. Our innovation. Shared impact.

You want to be at the forefront of Solar Mobility, too?