To help fleets better meet their unique power demands and avoid expensive jumpstarts, Fontaine Modification now offers installation of solar panel systems from Merlin Solar for customers nationwide.
Fontaine installs Merlin Solar panels at its modification centers in Charlotte and Statesville, North Carolina; Chillicothe and Springfield, Ohio; Garland and Laredo, Texas; Dublin, Virginia; and Mineral Wells, West Virginia.
These solar panel installations feature Merlin Solar Road Warrior Series panels that are 80 percent lighter than glass and absorb 20 percent more energy in real-world conditions versus standard flexible solar panels, according to the company. They are designed specifically for the transportation industry and are customizable to fit roof contours and designs for most major truck OEMs.
“Merlin’s innovative technology gives us the capability to provide customized solar power solutions to our customers’ specific needs and truck configurations,” says Jamil Young, president, Fontaine Modification Medium and Heavy Truck Operations.
The thin, flexible, and lightweight panels have a rugged design to withstand harsh environments. The panels are designed to help fleets save fuel, eliminate expensive jumpstarts, extend battery life, increase reliability, and reduce vehicle downtime. They are designed to increase power to offset parasitic loads by capturing and converting the sun’s energy into power for trucks to keep them operating at peak efficiency. The solar energy also provides power to run hotel loads, reducing the number of auto-start features.
“Fontaine Modification has a nationwide network through which it can deliver our technology to its customers,” says Fernando Mejia, director, global applications engineering, specialty products, Merlin Solar. “It’s an honor for us to make Fontaine one of our preferred installers and together provide our solar panels to customers around the country on many of the top OEM trucks. We share the goal of delivering road-ready trucks and providing the power needed to keep them on the road.”
