Solar bus

Solar-powered minibus in Berlin, Germany

A solar bus or solar-charged bus is a bus that is powered exclusively or mainly by solar energy. Solar-powered bus service is referred to as a solar bus service. The use of the term "solar bus" normally implies that solar energy is used not only for powering electric equipment on the bus, but also for the propulsion of the vehicle.

Existing solar buses are battery-electric buses or (in the case of hybrid solar buses) hybrid buses equipped with batteries that are recharged from solar (or other) power sources; a launch of solar bus service often goes hand in hand with investments for large-scale installations of stationary solar panels with photovoltaic cells. Similarly, like other solar vehicles, many solar buses have photovoltaic cells contained in solar panels on the vehicle's roof which converts the sun's energy directly into electric energy to be used by the engine.

The introduction of solar buses and other green vehicles for purposes of public transport forms a part of sustainable transport schemes.