Go Sun solar panels - charging while parked & covers the car. Would you get one ?

[4sallypat]

Saw this ad for a foldable solar panel array to put over your EV.

Says it charges at up to 30 miles in a day.

Would you pay $3000 ?

https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/c/o/v/ceb097cf2a28487d9167ae89a4b2848a.mp4

Sponsored

 

[bshaw]

Absolutely not.
You're better off taking that $3k and putting it towards a permanent home solar installation.

Maybe in some remote off-grid location, this could be a useful product. But if you're in that situation frequently, then a EV is not the right vehicle for you.

 

[HuntingPudel]

$3K buys a lot of L2 and DCFC. Unless you normally travel a route and stop often where there are no chargers period, I can’t see where an L1 solar charger is worth it. ?‍?

 

[AngryMan]

$3000 is a bit expensive but I love the idea . The only issue I see is that there are too many culture war warriors out there or just plain a holes for this to be used around the general population without someone taking it upon themselves to "prove a point" or just being a dick

 

[bshaw]

A couple of more thoughts:
* You're going to take a measurable range hit from the aerodynamics of driving around with that thing on the roof
* Advertised 1200W is a *best case* situation with sun directly overhead in a sunny climate area. Cloudy days or other times and locations will be less, possibly much less
* The charger onboard the car is less efficient at L1 vs L2

 

[AKgrampy]

I wonder how much range you might lose driving with it installed? Nice concept but I think it exaggerates it capabilities. Plus it would only take one jerk to damage it while unattended.

 

[dtbaker61]

Saw this ad for a foldable solar panel array to put over your EV.

Says it charges at up to 30 miles in a day.

Would you pay $3000 ?

https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/c/o/v/ceb097cf2a28487d9167ae89a4b2848a.mp4

It is 'interesting', but not at that price, and there are a few issues:

- the product isn't available to ship until 2025 'sometime', you are just paying for development and production a la Tesla marketing/fundraising model.

- flexible solar modules are fairly delicate, and usually have very short warranties because of that. 1 year in this case.

- I don't like the idea of the folded out panels resting on my paint, and moving around with the wind scratching the paint.... and a 30mph wind limit with no tiedowns just seems like a bad idea

- folded out panels at various angles have terrible alignment for any time other than mid summer. You won't get anywhere near 1200watts in the winter, and only for 3-1/2 hours at best.... which would only give maybe 3 kWhr = 10 miles of range in the winter, and maybe 20 in the summer under perfect conditions

...presumably, this unit is used somewhere you intend to be parked all day, like at work or school. It's a much better idea to lobby for parking lot spaces with covered parking with rigid solar on top that has 25 yr warranty. I think employers, shopping centers (any large parking lot that can control parking spaces) will go this direction when they realize they could 'lease' assigned parking spots with unmetered L1 charging and all the excess would be used on site to power their buildings.

I'd even lobby employers/schools to allow individuals to install their own 'carports' spot by spot if you could assign parking.

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

A couple of more thoughts:
* You're going to take a measurable range hit from the aerodynamics of driving around with that thing on the roof

Can't tell if your kidding or not; but it is for when the car is just sitting in the parking lot. Not to drive with it.

 

[Monke]

It looks like it is for park and charge. I would worry about scratches.and dings. I don't think it would stay on the car in my area because of strong wind.

 

[AKgrampy]

Can't tell if your kidding or not; but it is for when the car is just sitting in the parking lot. Not to drive with it.

But it is folded up on the roof racks while driving - that is what is being referenced.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Total waste of money for how little energy it provides. You’d be better off finding a 120V outlet.

It’s hilarious they demo it in an urban environment with tall buildings, no way it gets more than an hour of direct sun per day. Solar doesn’t really work unless there are zero clouds or shade.

Huge drag penalty too if you leave that on your roof while driving. Roof racks kill efficiency.

 

[bshaw]

Can't tell if your kidding or not; but it is for when the car is just sitting in the parking lot. Not to drive with it.

It looks like it’s mounted to a roof rack and you drive to/from wherever you’re going with the panels folded up in the case. It doesn’t look like you could fit the case in the back easily.
Just having empty roof bars mounted will effect range at highway speeds.

 

[Deleted member 19354]

Saw this ad for a foldable solar panel array to put over your EV.

Says it charges at up to 30 miles in a day.

Would you pay $3000 ?

https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/c/o/v/ceb097cf2a28487d9167ae89a4b2848a.mp4

Nope. Not for me

 

[Deleted member 19354]

$3000 is a bit expensive but I love the idea . The only issue I see is that there are too many culture war warriors out there or just plain a holes for this to be used around the general population without someone taking it upon themselves to "prove a point" or just being a dick

Hyundai did that with the Sonata Hybrid but I think they discontinued it. Same with Fisker Ocean I believe and we see where that is today

 

[HuntingPudel]

Total waste of money for how little energy it provides. You’d be better off finding a 120V outlet.

It’s hilarious they demo it in an urban environment with tall buildings, no way it gets more than an hour of direct sun per day. Solar doesn’t really work unless there are zero clouds or shade.

Huge drag penalty too if you leave that on your roof while driving. Roof racks kill efficiency.

I can see where the added drag won’t be offset by the few minutes of charging at a stop if traveling at freeway speeds. ??

As P. T. Barnum said: “There’s a sucker born every minute.” ??

Sponsored