Specialty Builds · Long Beach, CA
A semi-truck that idles all night burns fuel, creates wear, and in California violates CARB anti-idling regulations. A properly built solar and APU system eliminates the idle, keeps the driver comfortable, and runs everything in the cab without touching the main engine.
Voltara Systems builds combined solar and APU power systems for semi-trucks in Long Beach, CA.
Solar panels mounted on the trailer or cab roof feed a battery bank throughout the day while the truck is moving or parked. The APU draws from that bank to run the sleeper's HVAC, outlets, and electronics at night. Shore power tops off the bank when the truck is at a terminal. The result is a system that rarely — if ever — needs the main engine running for power.
Per California truck and bus regulation idle reduction requirements, unnecessary idling in California carries significant fines — and for operators running in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (which includes Long Beach), enforcement is active.
Cab or trailer-mounted panels — correctly mounted and sealed for highway vibration and weather. MPPT controller sized to the array.
Battery-electric or diesel APU installed and commissioned. CARB-compliant options available. Runs sleeper HVAC, outlets, and electronics overnight.
Terminal charging integration — shore power tops off the battery bank when the truck is staged, so you start every shift at full capacity.
Roof space and daily power consumption determine the answer. A typical sleeper cab running climate control and electronics overnight needs 400–800Ah of battery capacity with enough solar to recover during a driving day. We calculate the exact numbers for your route and usage profile.
For California operation — yes, in most cases. Battery-electric APUs are CARB compliant, quieter, require less maintenance, and pair naturally with a solar charging system. Diesel APUs have longer runtime independent of battery state but come with fuel and maintenance costs. We discuss both options based on your routes.
Yes — trailer-mounted solar is common and often provides more usable roof area than the cab. We handle the connection between trailer and cab as part of the install, including appropriate weatherproof connectors for the umbilical.
Let's build the system for your truck. Long Beach, CA and surrounding areas.
Voltara Systems · 161 West Victoria Street, Long Beach, California · (562) 362-3527 WhatsApp