Jurni Leasing Offers Solar Battery Maintenance Across its Minibus Fleet

Overview

Jurni Leasing has introduced Genie Insights’ solar battery maintenance solution to its minibus customers, addressing the risk of flat 12V batteries when vehicles are left standing for extended periods.

Jurni operates a fleet of more than 3,000 minibuses, many used by schools, colleges and other education customers. These vehicles can see intensive use during term time followed by several weeks off the road during holidays, creating conditions where ongoing electrical loads can gradually discharge the 12V battery.

The Genie Insights 50W solar solution, powered by MIPV technology, is available as a nationwide retrofit service through RS Connect and as an option on new minibus leases.

Customer: Jurni Leasing

Application: Minibuses

Fleet: 3,000+ vehicles

Challenge: 12V battery discharge during extended periods of inactivity

Solution: Genie Insights 50W solar battery maintenance solution

Installation: Nationwide retrofit through RS Connect or specified on new minibus leases

The Challenge

Minibuses used by schools and colleges have an unusual operating pattern. They can be relied upon heavily during term time but then remain parked for several weeks during school holidays.

While the vehicle is standing, onboard electrical systems can continue to draw power from the 12V battery. Over an extended period, this can leave the battery discharged and the vehicle unable to start when it is needed again.

For Jurni and its customers, the issue can result in battery-related breakdowns, recovery requirements and vehicles being unavailable at the start of a new term.

Duncan Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer at Jurni Leasing, explained:

“Minibuses are heavily relied on during term time but can sit unused for weeks during school holidays. These extended periods off the road can compromise battery reliability and leave vehicles unable to start when they’re needed most.”

The Solution

Jurni selected Genie Insights’ 50W solar battery maintenance solution to provide an ongoing source of supplementary charge to the vehicle’s 12V battery.

A lightweight CIGS solar module, manufactured in the UK by MIPV, is bonded to the vehicle roof and connected to the 12V electrical system. It generates energy from available daylight to counteract ongoing electrical loads and maintain the battery while the vehicle is in use or standing.

The system operates autonomously, with no requirement for drivers or depot staff to connect an external charger during periods when the vehicle is not being used.

Making Solar Available Across the Jurni Fleet

Rather than limiting the solution to a single trial or customer deployment, Jurni has made solar battery maintenance available across its minibus customer base.

Existing vehicles can be retrofitted through RS Connect, Genie Insights’ preferred nationwide retrofit installation partner. RS Connect has a network of more than 100 electrical engineers trained to install the Genie Insights system and has already completed more than 2,500 Genie solar installations across commercial vehicle fleets.

Jurni will also offer the solar solution on new minibus leases, allowing schools, colleges and other customers to specify battery maintenance before the vehicle enters service.

This gives customers two routes to adoption depending on where their vehicles are in their lifecycle: retrofit for minibuses already in operation or installation as part of a new lease.

The Outcome

Jurni can now offer its customers a practical way to address a known battery maintenance issue associated with the way education minibuses are operated.

For vehicles already in service, nationwide retrofit means the solar solution can be installed without customers having to establish their own installation arrangements. For new leases, solar can be specified from the outset.

Duncan Fitzgerald said:

“The solar panels are designed to help fleets combat 12-volt battery drain issues on diesel and electric vehicles to maintain battery health and vehicle uptime whilst reducing vehicle breakdown and rescue costs.”

The partnership extends the application beyond a particular fuel or powertrain. The 12V battery maintenance requirement can exist on both diesel and electric minibuses, allowing Jurni to offer the solution across different vehicles within its customer fleet.

About Jurni Leasing