Influence of Solar Insolation Load Over the Battery Pack of a 3-Wheeler Vehicle

Battery is one of the advancing topics in the current automotive industry, it is necessary to understand in detail every possible design scenario to make the operation safe. This research investigates the influence of solar radiation on a battery pack located beneath the driver’s seat in a three-wheeled vehicle. Solar rays can strike the battery pack’s surface at varying incident angles, particularly during sunrise and sunset. This study focuses on understanding how angular variations affect the intensity and distribution of solar load on the battery enclosure. Using three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the study quantifies the temperature rise within the battery pack caused by solar exposure. Elevated temperatures can impair battery performance and accelerate its degradation over time. Additionally, the research examines the impact of the surface finish of the battery enclosure, highlighting how it influences heat absorption and dissipation. The findings emphasize the critical need for mitigating solar load to ensure the battery’s longevity and reliability. One such solution is the use of protective installation covers with the provision of vented outs which allows the external velocity of air to flow over the battery pack, which can reduce direct solar exposure as well reducing the temperature of the battery pack. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of integrating thermal management solutions into vehicle design to safeguard battery performance and durability, especially under varying solar conditions. Keywords: Battery Pack, Solar load, Surface finish, Protective Cover & Three-Wheeler