Pioneering solution transforms vehicle rooftops into renewable energy power banks, supporting UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero ambitions
September 15, Dubai, UAE: AVZ, a UAE-based sustainability innovation company, recently rolled out its GreenTrans Solar Bus System, a first-of-its-kind advancement that converts heavy vehicles into clean energy platforms. By harnessing the untapped rooftop space, the system generates renewable power for critical onboard operations, sharply reduces fuel dependency, and reinforces the UAE’s leadership in sustainable transport and green innovation.
Founded by visionary entrepreneur Vipen Ruhela, Chief Executive Officer, and interdisciplinary scientist Dr. Zoltan Derzsi, Chief Technology Officer, AVZ focuses on developing solutions that are safe, affordable, and adapted to the Emirates’ climatic conditions. The GreenTrans Solar Bus System is their first step and a powerful demonstration of their philosophy of energy independence, unlocking new frontiers in public transport efficiency while directly contributing to the nation’s sustainability roadmap.
Innovation Highlights
Harnessing Automotive Traffic as Real Estate
Traditional solar installations require around 10 square meters of area to produce one kilowatt of power. Most heavy vehicle provide between 22 and 24 square meters of rooftop, enabling installation of 12 to 18 square meters of solar panels. Across 10,000 buses in the Emirates alone, this would produce between 39 to 59 million kilowatt-hours annually.
Energy Storage in Hostile Environments
The energy produced is stored and used directly to power air conditioning systems, which are among the most demanding auxiliary functions in hot climate countries. By easing reliance on diesel-powered AC engines, the system helps reduce both operational costs and emissions.
Use of Artificial Intelligence for Fault Prediction
Air conditioners are mechanical devices that display subtle signs before breaking down. With an AI-based solution, AVZ’s system detects these faults before they become catastrophic. This prevents the leaks of refrigerant gases, which have several thousand times more environmental impact than carbon dioxide alone.
Environmental and Economic Impact
The innovation significantly cuts carbon emissions, expands the country’s solar footprint without the need for additional land, and minimizes storage and transmission losses. The result is a clean, efficient, and scalable system that generates tangible environmental and financial returns.
New Approach in Open Science and Intellectual Property
Technologies for the common good are unethical to profiteer on: while the core neural network code is released to the Open Science Foundation so it can be implemented by other parties, the data used for training remains the property of the company. This heralds a new approach in applied science in the GCC region, with the aim of building up a team of engineers and scientists to solve problems impossible otherwise.
Energy- and infrastructure independence in research, development and production
AVZ’s other design is a self-sustaining technology park that is self-reliant on energy and water management: electricity is produced locally, and waste water is recycled. Research, design and production is taking place in the same facility surrounded by gardens, with little to no prior infrastructure requirement.
Voices from AVZ
“Climate change is not only threatening our planet—it’s also reshaping the way we must do business. Adaptation and innovation are no longer optional; they’re essential. Through my experience, I’ve worked with many companies that focus solely on cutting costs to maximize short-term profits. They often overlook the fact that poor-quality products ultimately cost more in the long run. I don’t chase the cheapest option—I seek quality. Whether the product is affordable or expensive, my priority is durability. Many traders push low-grade parts at high prices, but I aim to source components that last three to four times longer than substandard ones. This reduces waste—of time, money, materials, and environmental impact. If the part I need isn’t available locally, I go straight to the manufacturer. AVZ goes a step further—if it doesn’t exist, we build it ourselves.”
— Vipen Ruhela, CEO, AVZ
“I never say ‘trust me’ or ‘take my word for it’, I say ‘look at my data’. The same applies to anything AVZ produces: facts and data. The concepts we have, we developed into prototypes, and the know-how we gained by literally abusing our inventions gives us an advantage over others. The GreenTrans solar bus is no exception: is not only innovative but also scientifically sound. Despite being scorched under the sun and flooded in the rain, or the coolant being drained, we already saved tons of carbon dioxide by not burning thousands of litres of fuel. It is a testament to how one can converge science, engineering and environmental responsibility, while saving money at the same time.”
— Dr. Zoltan Derzsi, CTO, AVZ and Researcher at NYU Abu Dhabi
Reinforcing the UAE’s Sustainability Vision
The UAE has consistently championed innovation in renewable energy and green mobility, with landmark commitments such as the Energy Strategy 2050 and the Net Zero 2050 initiative. AVZ’s ethos is fully aligned with these goals, positioning the nation as a global pioneer in sustainable transportation. By leveraging the natural abundance of sunlight and integrating it into everyday mobility, the solution offers a model that could inspire other regions facing similar climate and energy challenges.
This initiative is not only about reducing emissions, but also about creating smarter, more resilient infrastructure for the future. The GreenTrans Solar Bus System represents the kind of ingenuity that is essential to achieving long-term environmental stewardship while delivering immediate benefits to both operators and citizens
About AVZ
AVZ is a UAE-based sustainability innovation company dedicated to creating affordable, safe, and scalable green technologies tailored to the Emirates’ environment. Founded by CEO Vipen Ruhela and CTO Dr. Zoltan Derzsi, AVZ combines entrepreneurial vision with appplied science to develop practical solutions that accelerate the UAE’s transition toward clean energy and carbon neutrality.
The Open Science Foundation paper: https://osf.io/preprints/osf/zwf3c_v3
Company Website: www.avz.ae