WO2008129589A2

WO2008129589A2 - Variable-geometry system for capturing solar and photovoltaic energy that can be applied on electrically driven vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2008129589A2
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michele Straziota
Original assignee: Michele Straziota
Priority date: 2007-04-24
Filing date: 2008-04-24
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: ITBA20070039A1; WO2008129589A3

Abstract

A variable-geometry system (1) for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven automotive vehicles (2) having a streamlined covering, is basically made up of a plurality of films and/or panels (3), which are designed for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy and can be applied in an adherent and unremovable way on all the ' internal and external surfaces of the automotive vehicle itself and on all the surfaces of the streamlined covering, as well as on a plurality of hide- away elements (4) to be installed within the structure itself of the automotive vehicle or of the streamlining of the motorcycle, said hide-away elements, which extend in safety and in a variable way the overall dimensions of the vehicle, guaranteeing, wherever necessary, maximization of the surface for photovoltaic, capturing of solar energy and hence the electrical energy supplied to the vehicle itself, whether this is travelling or standing still.

Description

VARIABLE-GEOMETRY SYSTEM FOR CAPTURING SOIAR AND PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY THAT CAN BE APPLIED ON ELECTRICALLY

DRIVEN VEHICLES.

*****

The present invention relates to a variable- geometry system for capturing solar and photovoltaic energy that can be applied on electrically driven vehicles, whether these be two-wheeled, three-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicles.

By "solar energy" is meant the thermal or electrical energy produced by exploiting directly the energy irradiated from the Sun to the Earth. At each instant the Sun transmits onto the orbit of the Earth energy higher than 1300 W per square metre. Taking into account the fact that the Earth is a sphere (and hence the rays often arrive at an angle) that moreover rotates, the solar irradiation on the surface of the Earth averaged over twenty-four hours and over the four seasons is, at European latitudes, approximately 200 W per square metre.

Recently, plastic materials have been invented that exploit nanotechnologies, converting the sun's visible and infrared rays, and hence being able to operate even in the presence of clouds, into electricity. By building the photovoltaic panels with these materials, the performance thereof is increased five times. Said materials may moreover be used as portable generators and hence be sprayed on surfaces (for example, on motor vehicles) .

Currently available on the market are numerous polymeric or organic semiconductors (the latter are understood as single molecules, the former as a lattice of interconnected organic molecules), which can be used for the production of photovoltaic cells. Said materials can be doped so as to behave as electron donors or acceptors, can be juxtaposed to form heterojunctions, and present characteristics of flexibility that render them adequate for the production of flexible cells.

The application above all of the latter materials, which exploit solar and photovoltaic energy for high- efficiency production of electrical energy for use in driving automotive vehicles, is precisely the purpose of the present invention.

Currently known are different devices for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on automotive vehicles with at least four wheels.

Known in particular are the following documents: the German patent No. DE 3524026 Al, filed on July 5, 1985, the French patent No. 2616116, filed on June 3, 1988, the German patent No. DE 4003513 Al, filed on the February 6, 1990, and the U.S. patent No. US 6,423,894 Bl, filed on July 23, 2002.

The German patent No. DE 3524026 Al relates to solar panels that can be applied on the thermal rear window on the inside of the automobiles or, once again inside automobiles, on the glazed surfaces of the windows . The basic disadvantage of this invention regards the fact that the surfaces that capture the sun's rays, in addition to being of a fixed type, are installed within the automobile purely as an additional kit. A further disadvantage, not less important than the previous one, is due to the fact that said surfaces within the passenger ^' compartment, set in positions corresponding to the internal glazed surfaces, constitute a limitation to the sight of the driver and of the occupants of the automobile itself, as likewise an additional., non-negligible, hazard in the event of accident .

The French patent No. 2616116 concerns photovoltaic panels to be applied preferably on campers by means of shafts hinged in positions corresponding to the outer part of the glazed surfaces thereof, as well as being orientable once again from outside the dwelling area, so as to capture in an optimal way the energy to be conveyed and accumulated by means of a particular system to the electrical loads of the camper. The basic disadvantage of this invention lies in the fact that the photovoltaic energy-capturing surfaces, constituted by photovoltaic modules hinged outside the camper, are insufficient for accumulation of electrical energy such as to move the motor vehicle itself, but are only and exclusively sufficient to supply certain small electrical loads present within the dwelling areas of the camper itself. Furthermore, since said photovoltaic surfaces are hinged, they do not enable at all the possibility of being opened or moved when the caravan or camper itself is travelling, both for reasons of safety and because they would not be able to withstand at all the aerodynamic stresses of the wind.

The German patent No. DE 4003513 Al regards, instead, a system for capturing solar energy constituted by a plurality of panels provided as an additional kit to be installed in positions corresponding to the outer part of the cowling of the automobile, in a way similar to a roof rack, provided with an orientable base, which can also be extended as surface for capturing the solar energy by means of opening in book-like fashion of a plurality of solar panels hinged on the sides of said base. The disadvantages of this invention are linked, as in the case of the French patent, both to the limited width of the surfaces that capture the solar energy, which are insufficient for accumulating electrical energy adequate for moving the automobile itself for long stretches, and to the impossibility of being opened and moved when the automobile is travelling, because they are not able to withstand at all the aerodynamic stresses of the wind. On the other hand, it would be equally dangerous to leave said surfaces for capturing the solar energy open even with the vehicle standing still on roads and in public places owing to the presence of projecting surfaces with sharp edges.

The U.S. patent No. US 6,423,894 Bl relates to a technological improvement of the preceding German patent, presenting a modular solar panel to be constrained as an additional kit outside, once again in areas corresponding to the bars of the roof rack of an automobile, with a surface that can be extended so as to cover either partially or totally the upper part of the cowling of the automobile itself. Even though the U.S. invention solves the problems linked to the need to move the energy-capturing surfaces of the solar panels during motion of the automobile, so improving in part also the safety thereof, it presents limitations identical to the previous ones as regards the limited surfaces that capture the solar energy, which are insufficient for accumulation of the amount of electrical energy necessary for moving the automobile itself for long stretches. Furthermore, the U.S. patent does nothing more than extend panels over a surface that is already potentially exploitable for creating an energy-capturing surface for the automobile, as precisely is the cowling of the automobile.

Also known are various devices for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on small four-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, and motorcycles in general.

In particular, there is known the German patent No. DE 19701631 Al, filed on July 24, 1997, the German patent No. DE 10348465 Al, filed on May 25, 2005, and the Chinese patent No. CN 20021050161 published on May 26, 2004.

The German patent DE 19701631 Al regards a motor- driven bicycle provided with a panel that captures solar energy, which is set as covering for the bicycle itself and can be rigidly applied in .the area behind the saddle (as likewise to the wheel, to the frame and/or to the possible covering, if this is already present) to supply a stand-by storage battery, necessary for electrical supply of the bicycle. The basic disadvantage of this invention lies in the fact that the surfaces that capture the sun's rays, in addition to being of a fixed type, are installed purely as an additional kit. A further disadvantage, not less important than the previous one, is due to the fact that said surfaces, in addition to being insufficient in extension as surface for capturing energy for propelling the bicycle itself, are not aerodynamic, nor do they appear to be in compliance, as regards shape, even with the minimum requisites of safety.

The German patent No. 10348465 relates to a two- wheeled vehicle provided with a panel that captures solar energy set as covering for the two-wheeled vehicle and intimately connected to the frame of the vehicle itself in an area behind the saddle for supplying a battery, necessary for electrical supply, which is further supplied by a manually operated or pedal-operated system of lever mechanisms. The basic disadvantage of this invention lies in the fact that the surfaces that capture the solar energy are insufficient for accumulation of an amount of electrical energy such as to move the two-wheeled vehicle itself, but are only and exclusively sufficient to provide an aid the electrical supply, which in any case requires other external contributions. Furthermore, the surfaces that capture the solar energy are geometrically fixed, and no particular care appears to be taken to their aerodynamics.

The Chinese patent No. CN 20021050161 concerns a motor-driven bicycle provided with a covering for capturing solar energy, which can be rigidly applied in positions corresponding to the free end of the carrier behind the saddle and the front end of the stem of the handlebar for supplying a storage battery, necessary for electrical supply of the bicycle. The basic disadvantage of this invention lies in the fact that the surfaces that capture the sun's rays, in addition to being of a fixed type, are installed also in this case only and exclusively as an additional kit. A further disadvantage, not less important than the previous one, is due to the fact that said surfaces, in addition to having a small extension, are not at all aerodynamic.

The main purpose of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the known art by providing a variable-geometry system for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven automotive vehicles, combining and optimizing certain characteristics of the previous patents and of the technically known products referred to above, as well as in any case overcoming the disadvantages presented thereby and solving the problems linked to their weakpoints.

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a variable-geometry system ^■ for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied, not as an additional kit on electrically driven automotive vehicles, but intimately connected to all the usable internal surfaces, as likewise to all the aerodynamic external surfaces of the vehicle itself.

Yet another purpose of the present invention is to provide a variable-geometry system for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy which can be applied on electrically driven vehicles that will guarantee fully the visibility through the glazed surfaces for both the driver and the passengers, as likewise the safety of the vehicle itself, even in the event of accident, as well as being in any case simple and practical to produce and install and hence easy to use and maintain and affording long durability and low cost for the end user.

The above purposes are achieved by providing a variable-geometry system for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy] that can be applied to electrically driven automotive vehicles having a streamlined covering, said system being characterized in that it is basically made up of a plurality of films and/or panels, which are designed for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy and can be applied in an adherent and unremovable way on all the internal and external surfaces of the automotive vehicle itself and on all the surfaces of the streamlined covering, as well as on a plurality of hide-away elements to be installed within the structure itself of the automobile or of the streamlined covering of the motorcycle, said hide-away elements extending in safety and in a variable way the overall dimensions of the vehicle, guaranteeing, wherever necessary, ^'maximization of the surface for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy and hence the electrical energy supplied to the vehicle itself, whether it is travelling or standing still.

The aforesaid purposes and the consequent advantages, as well as the characteristics of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the ensuing detailed description of two preferred embodiments thereof, along with certain variants, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure _1 is a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a variable-geometry system 1 for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy according to the present invention, applied to an electrically driven automotive vehicle 2, where there may be noted the films 3 for capturing energy, constrained in an adherent and unremovable way over all the internal and external surfaces of the automotive vehicle 2;

Figure _2 is the same three-dimensional view of the preferred solution represented in Figure 1, where there may be noted the application of the films 3 for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy constrained in an adherent and unremovable way over all the internal and external surfaces of the automotive vehicle 2, including a plurality of hide-away surfaces 4, installed in the structure of the automotive vehicle itself 2 and coming out therefrom in a telescopic way, by means of actuation of electrical or hydraulic moving means;

Figure _3 is a plan view of the preferred solution of the arrangement 1 represented in Figure 1; Figure _4 is a plan view of the preferred solution of the arrangement 1 represented in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the preferred solution of the arrangement 1 represented in Figure 1;

Figure _β a schematic plan view of the preferred solution of the arrangement 1 represented in Figure 2; Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view of another preferred solution of the arrangement 1 according to the present invention;

Figure 8_ is the same three-dimensional view of the preferred solution represented in Figure 7 , where there may be noted the application of the films 3 for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy constrained in an adherent and unremovable way on another type of hide-away surfaces 4 of the automotive vehicle 2, coming out therefrom via rotation on hinged shafts by actuation of electrical or hydraulic moving means 5 (in this case hydraulic jacks) ;

Figure _9 is a three-dimensional view of another preferred solution of the arrangement 1 according to the present invention; Figure 10_ is the same three-dimensional view of the preferred solution represented in Figure 9, with the hide-away surfaces 4 completely extracted from the structure of the automotive vehicle 2, in particular, the front one by telescopic sliding and the rear one by tilting over using jacks 5;

Figure JLL is a three-dimensional view of another preferred solution of the arrangement 1 represented in Figure 9;

Figure Yλ_ is the same three-dimensional view of the preferred solution represented in Figure 11, with the hide-away surfaces 4 completely extracted from the structure of the automotive vehicle 2, in particular, the front one by telescopic sliding and the rear one by tilting over using jacks 5; Figure r3 is a lateral view of said preferred solution of the arrangement 1 represented in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12;

Figure _14_ is the same lateral view of the preferred solution represented in Figure 13, with the hide-away surfaces 4 completely extracted from the structure of the automotive vehicle 2, in particular, the front one by telescopic sliding and the rear one by tilting over using jacks 5;

Figure _1!5 is a three-dimensional view of another preferred solution of the arrangement 1 according to the present invention, where via the internal detail enclosed by the circle 6 application of the film 3 on a particular internal surface, namely the dashboard 7, is highlighted;

Figure _16i is a three-dimensional left-side front view of a second embodiment of the invention regarding a motorcycle IA provided with a variable-geometry streamlining 2A for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy^ applied to an electrically driven motorcycle

IA, where there may be noted the surfaces 3 that capture solar energy;

Figure 11_ is a three-dimensional left-side front view of a second preferred solution of the streamlining 2A represented in Figure IA, said streamlining 2A in this solution being further provided with a pair of rear-view mirrors 5A also coated with photovoltaic surfaces 3 for capturing solar energy and characterized in that it is able to be provided as an additional kit for already existing electrical automotive vehicles;

Figure 18_. is a left side view of the preferred solution of the motorcycle IA represented in Figure 16; Figure 19_ is a three-dimensional left-side rear view of the same solution provided in Figure 16, visible in which is the rear part of the variable- geometry streamlining 2A for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy, where there may be noted the further surfaces 3 that capture solar energy; and

Figure 20 is the same three-dimensional left-side rear view of Figure 19, visible in which is the rear part of the streamlining 2A, from which there can be extracted a pair of variable-geometry hide-away capturing surfaces 4.

The variable-geometry system 1 for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven automotive vehicles 2, illustrated in Figures 1 to 15, is hence basically made up of a plurality of films and/or panels 3, which constitute a coating integrating the surface of the bodywork of the automotive vehicle 2 itself, and hence modelled therewith and not merely applied as panels already pre- sized according to given dimensions or provided as an additional kit, as described in the above patents of the known art. Another peculiarity of the present invention is constituted by the presence of hide-away surfaces 4, as shown in Figures 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14, both in the internal structure of the automotive vehicle, which can be moved by means of electrical transducers that actuate sliding or telescopic mechanisms, and in the external surface, by applying hinged tiltable or cantilever elements set on the lateral and/or rear surfaces of the bodywork, which can be moved with the aid of electrically actuated hydraulic jacks. In particular, in said figures there may be noted the presence of both of said types of hide-away surfaces 4.

The main advantage of such a location of said plurality of films and/or panels 3 is to obtain a simultaneous maximization of the surface for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy, as likewise the possibility of capturing energy even even when the vehicle 2 is moving. A second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 16 to 20, regards the case of a two-wheeled vehicle provided with streamlining.

With reference to said figures, the motorcycle IA, provided with streamlining 2A with fixed surfaces 3 and variable-geometry surfaces 4 for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven vehicles, as shown in the attached Figures 16 to 20, is hence basically characterized in that it is constituted by a plurality of surfaces, films and/or panels 3 that may or may not constitute a coating integrating the surface both of the frame and of the streamlining 2A of the motorcycle IA, thus modelled therewith or else applied as already panels pre-sized according to given surface dimensions or provided as additional kits (for example, the streamlining 2A of Figure 17). Another peculiarity of the present invention is constituted by the presence of said photovoltaic solar-energy-capturing surfaces both in the form of variable-geometry surfaces 4 that can be hidden away in the streamlining 2A of the motorcycle IA, as is shown in Figures 19 and 20, and as extending over the surfaces themselves of the frame of the motorcycle and of its accessories, as represented in Figures 16 to 20.

Movement of the variable-geometry mobile surfaces 4 can be obtained either manually or by means of electrical transducers that actuate sliding or telescopic mechanisms, as likewise also by means of application of tiltable or cantilever elements hinged on the front, lateral and/or rear surfaces of the streamlining 2A, moved with the aid of electrically actuated hydraulic jacks, spring mechanisms, etc.

The representation of a second preferred embodiment of said streamlining 2A is provided in Figure 17, where it may be noted that it is further provided with a pair of rear-view mirrors 5A, which can also be coated with photovoltaic surfaces 3 for enabling a further increase in the total solar-energy- capturing surface. It is obvious that it is possible to provide further variants considering further accessories that can be applied on the streamlining 2A itself, ^■ such as position lights, numberplate light, windscreen and windscreen wipers, as likewise possible is provision of a streamlining that can close like a shell on all sides of the motorcycle IA, via variable- geometry panels coming out, according to pre-set curvatures, on both sides of the streamlining 2A itself.

The streamlining 2A can be provided both so that is fixed and joined to the chassis of the motorcycle IA and in a clearly separate way (as represented in the ■kit illustrated in Figure 17) . In the latter case, the aerodynamic profile of the streamlining 2A can be rigidly constrained to the motorcycle IA via connection means, for example, on both of the forks, the front one and the rear one, of the motorcycle IA, as well as being removable therefrom by means of key-operated safety locks, set in the proximity of one of the points

(front or rear) of hinging and anchorage of the streamlining 2A on the forks themselves in such a way as to prevent theft thereof. The main advantage of a location of the sort of said plurality of films and/or panels 3 is to obtain a simultaneous maximization of the photovoltaic solar- energy-capturing surface (up to triplicating the energy- capturing surfaces of the previous inventions of the known art), hence, the possibility of capturing energy in an optimal way even when the movement motorcycle IA is travelling, via said variable-geometry surfaces 4 extending also in shell-like fashion on both sides of the motorcycle IA so as to enclose the motorcycle in a sort of shell, further increasing the safety of the driver and any possible passenger.

The inventive activity of the present invention lies basically in having devised a variable-geometry system 2A for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven motorcycles IA, which overcomes said disadvantages of the known art, as well as providing a motorcycle IA which: can be integrated or coated on all its surfaces, both of the streamlining 2A and of the frame, the structure and the accessories of the motorcycle IA; can be hence applied or coated also over all the external and internal surfaces of the streamlining 2A of the motorcycle IA and its accessories, for example the rear-view mirrors 5A; - does not create problems of safety or any danger of detachment or failure of the energy- capturing surfaces, films and/or panels 3, even under the fluid-dynamic action of wind and rain, precisely because the system is integrally adherent and rigidly constrained 'to the structure of the motorcycle IA itself; enables charging of its accumulators both when the motorcycle IA itself is standing still and when it is travelling; and - enables adherence of the surfaces, the films and/or the panels 3 to the motorcycle IA and to its streamlining 2A, further improving styling of the motorcycle IA itself.

The advantages deriving from the present invention are hence innumerable and provide ample solutions to the limitations of the known art.

The inventive idea underlying the present invention consists substantially in having devised a variable-geometry system 1-lA for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven automotive vehicles 2 and motorcycles IA, which provides a solution to the disadvantages of the known art, overcoming the limitations highlighted previously, said system: - being of a type that can be integrated over all the internal and external surfaces " 3 of the bodywork 2 of the automotive vehicle 1 or of the streamlining 2A of the motorcycle IA;

- being hence applicable also on all the external and internal surfaces of the automotive vehicle 1, such as for example the dashboard 7 shown in the detail highlighted in the circle 6 in

Figure 15, or of the motorcycle IA; not creating problems of safety and any danger of detachment or failure of the films and/or panels 3, even under the aerodynamic action of wind, precisely because it is integrally adherent and rigidly constrained to the structure of the bodywork 2 of the automotive vehicle 1 or of the streamlining 2A of the motorcycle IA; - enabling charging of the accumulators of the automotive vehicle both when it is , standing still and when it is travelling; on account of the adherence of the films and/or panels 3 to the bodywork 2 of the automotive vehicle 1 or to the streamlining 2A of the motorcycle IA enabling, not only the aforesaid aerodynamic advantages, but also advantages in relation to the improved styling of the vehicle; and • - enabling a considerable practicality and functionality during parking, when entering and moving on ramps, when moving around in narrow spaces or places where there are particular problems of manoeuvre, given that the vehicle 1-lA affords high versatility in traffic, during normal cruising on the road, as likewise during the phases of parking and stopping.

The advantages deriving from the present invention are hence innumerable and provide an ample solution to the limitations of the known art. It is also evident that numerous modifications, adaptations, integrations, variations and replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent ones may be made to the examples of embodiment described previously purely by way of illustrative and non- limiting example, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the ensuing claims.

Claims

1) A variable-geometry system for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven vehicles (1-lA) , characterized in that it comprises a plurality of photovoltaic films and/or panels (3) , which are designed for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy and can be applied in an adherent and unremovable way on one or more of the internal and/or external surfaces of the vehicle itself, as well as on a plurality of hide- away elements (4) to be installed within the structure itself of the automotive vehicle (1); said hide-away elements (4) being designed to increase in a variable way the surfaces (2-2A) of the vehicle exposed to solar radiation to maximize the surface for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy and hence the electrical energy supplied to the vehicle itself, whether this is travelling or standing still.

2) The variable-geometry system for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven automotive vehicles (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said photovoltaic films and/or panels (3) can be applied in an adherent and unremovable way on the internal and external surfaces of the automotive vehicle (1) itself, as well as on a plurality of hide-away elements (4) installed within the structure of the automotive vehicle (2) , can be made with elements forming an integral part of the bodywork of the automotive vehicle, and hence modelled therewith, and/or as modular panels already sized with given dimensions, or as additional kits.

3) The variable-geometry system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said hide-away elements (4) provided with said photovoltaic films or panels (3) are designed to come out of the structure of the automotive vehicle via telescopic sliding and/or may be provided as tiltable and/or cantilever elements, that can be moved with the aid of actuation means (5) of a known type. 4) The variable-geometry system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said photovoltaic films and/or panels (3) operate also when the vehicle (1-lA) is travelling.

5) The variable-geometry system according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said films and/or panels (3) can be applied also on one or more of the internal surfaces exposed to solar radiation, such as for example the dashboard (7), the internal panels in sight for covering the internal body, etc.

6) The variable-geometry system according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said films and/or panels (3) can be applied also to hideaway surfaces (4), which are hidden inside the automotive vehicle (1) and that can be used when it is necessary to increase the solar-energy-capturing surface.

7) The variable-geometry system for photovoltaic capturing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven motorcycles (IA) having a streamlining (2A) according to Claim 1, said system being characterized in that said streamlining (2A) is coated with a plurality of photovoltaic films and/or panels (3) , which are designed to capture the solar energy and can be applied in an adherent and unremovable way on all the surfaces of said streamlining (2A) , as likewise on all the other exposed surfaces of the motorcycle (IA) itself, as well as on a plurality of hide-away surfaces (4) that also capture the solar energy and are to be installed within the structure itself of the streamlining (2A) ; said hideaway surfaces (4) being designed to increase in a variable way the surfaces of the motorcycle (IA) exposed to solar radiation to maximize the photovoltaic solar-energy-capturing surface and hence the supply of electrical energy to the motorcycle (IA), whether this is travelling or standing still.

8) The variable-geometry system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said streamlining (2A) is provided, not only with hide-away capturing surfaces (4) having a fixed or variable geometry, but also with accessories typical or non- typical of motorcycles (IA) , such as rear-view mirrors (5A), holder for numberplate and lights, windscreen and windscreen-wiper devices, carrier, which can all also be coated with photovoltaic films and/or panels (3) that can be applied in an adherent and unremovable way over all the surfaces of the motorcycle (IA) itself and on all its accessories.

9) The variable-geometry system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said hide-away elements (4) come out from both sides of said streamlining (2A) to provide a variable geometry, until they close in a shell-like fashion so increasing the solar-energy-capturing surface and in addition the safety of the driver and possible passenger. 10) The variable-geometry system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said hide-away elements (4) come out from the structure of the streamlining (2A) of the motorcycle (IA) via telescopic sliding and/or may be provided as tiltable and/or cantilever elements, that can be moved with the aid of actuation means of a known type: manual and/or mechanical and/or electromechanical and/or electronic means .

11) The variable-geometry system according to Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that said streamlining (2A) may be provided as an additional kit to be installed on already existing motorcycles.

12) The variable-geometry system according to Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that said streamlining (2A) is provided with sets of lights.

13) The variable-geometry system according to Claims 7 to 12, characterized in that said films and/or panels (3) operate also when the motorcycle (IA) is travelling. 14) The variable-geometry system according to Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that said photovoltaic films and/or panels (3) can be applied on all the surfaces, both fixed ones and mobile ones, of the motorcycle (IA) and of the streamlining (2A) . 15) The variable-geometry system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said photovoltaic films and/or panels (3) are designed to supply electrical energy- to purposely provided accumulators of a known type and/or directly to the engine for driving the vehicle and/or to the electrical circuit of the vehicle.

16) The variable-geometry system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component elements 'that are necessary for making it can be replaced with other equivalent elements.

17) A variable-geometry system for photovoltaic cap-turing of solar energy that can be applied on electrically driven vehicles (1-lA) , substantially as described and illustrated in the present description and in the attached drawings.