Hongqi builds industry-first perovskite solar sunroof, rated for 400 kWh a year

FAW's Hongqi brand has produced what it describes as the first perovskite photovoltaic sunroof in the automotive industry, fitting the prototype to its EHS7 electric SUV. Under "sufficient sunlight," the panel delivers 300W of real-time output and can generate roughly 400 kWh over a year — enough to cover low-voltage loads such as air conditioning, an onboard refrigerator, and sentry mode.

Rather than conventional crystalline silicon, which Hongqi's engineers judged too fragile and inefficient for the job, the team turned to perovskite, a calcium titanium oxide mineral that is light, thin, and flexible while offering strong photoelectric conversion efficiency, color options, and low costs. Adapting it to a car was tricky, however, because the material is sensitive to water, oxygen, and ultraviolet radiation, and the panoramic roof has a curved surface.

The EHS7, sold in China as the Tiangong 08, is a large five-seater measuring 4925/1950/1680 mm with 253 kW (339 hp) and 475 km of WLTP range. Hongqi's next goal is to extend perovskite cells to other body panels, including the hood, which could lift daily generation to 10 kWh — good for up to 80 km of range and, by the company's own figures, more than 85% of what Chinese drivers typically travel each day. No timeline for that integration was given.

The project is part of a broader technology push by China's oldest passenger car marque as it works to strengthen its BEV standing. Upcoming Hongqi models are set to adopt BYD's flash-charging technology, which replenishes the battery from 10% to 97% in nine minutes, and the company is testing a 380 Wh/kg solid-state battery prototype. Per China EV DataTracker, Hongqi delivered 15,445 vehicles in China in July 2026.