GoSun’s Solar car Charger turns any electric car into a solar car

[@electricviking]

The best solar company in Australia just installed my new solar system. Check them out here: www.resinc.com.au/electricviking

[@ronnythompson9115]

If Trump doesnt get in. EVs WILL NOT MATTER!t. We will no longer have a country. My neighborhood is overrun by Latin American prison gangs. Who cars about a solar panel or EV if you don't live in a safe country. Jeez wake upl

[@Lawrence7of9]

Also stops car cooking in sunny conditions with some shading

[@nononsenseBennett]

You see how more brains make better ideas better

[@mikewallace8087]

@@nononsenseBennett The nonsense is the payback period , 10 years.

[@GreenDriveIndia]

@@mikewallace8087still okay

[@colinwiseman]

​@@mikewallace8087 the ROI here isn't just financial, it's charging wherever you are. Gone camping and parked for a few days? You've got 60 miles range while doing nothing. Parked at work every day for a week? 100 miles. And that means less charging elsewhere. Sure, it's expensive, but I buy expensive beers with zero ROI in money, but an amazing ROI in pleasure 😊

[@mikewallace8087]

@@colinwiseman WOW amazing foolish rationalization . Not surprised , there is a lot of that here.

[@ProfessorHamer]

I made my own one of these several years ago by storing folding panels in a Thule roof box with my ecoflow, the charge cable can exit the side of the roof box easily, and the panels cover the front and back, pretty easy to diy

[@rossr6616]

which ecoflow and EVSE do you use? and how does the EVSE and your Vehiclehandle such low charging current?

[@mkashay]

I do see some possible issues. The first is the cost. I could by 15KW for that amount, which is enough to drive my M3 about 60K miles. Second, mounting that on your roof is going to reduce your range, especially on a freeway. Third, it looks very easy to steal. For camping, it would be super awesome.

[@derricklaw1]

I have an EcoFlow Delta with a 600w of solar panels that I use to exclusively charge my model Y. I live in a small town so I don’t drive very far. Gets me to town and back every day plus a bus stop pickup for the kids. Then I take the EcoFlow with me and use it in place of a gas generator when I go camping. It’s awesome.

[@freetrailer4poor]

Upgrade to pecron 3600 or anker 3800 and get 2400 watts.

[@trentvlak]

so you get like +10mi of range per full sun day?

[@derricklaw1]

⁠@@trentvlakThat’s pretty close for summer months after conversion losses and climate control use. A lot of energy use on short trips is climate control this time of year. A little better than that in the spring and fall and probably about the same in winter. My winters are cold and sunny and the solar outperforms by quite a bit per hour of sun (also because my panels are at a 45 tilt faced south. The same set up handles all my e mountain bike charging too and I ride it about 20 miles and 2000ft of climb each weekday. TLDR: yes about 10 miles which is more than I actually drive so I also charge an e bike off that same set up too.

[@trentvlak]

@@derricklaw1 Sounds like it works pretty good for you!

[@laughinggas5281]

The panels are not mounted on the car like this video, I assume?

[@257.4MHz]

Very nice. According to cost curve, retail will go down to $1000 and do it yourself kits will spring up and go down to $400

[@MBighk]

Downsides I can see: Added aerodynamic drag of rooftop housing negates some (most?) of what it generates. Gusts from a strong thunderstorm would tear it apart when it's extended. Cleaning off the bird droppings. And as others have noted: theft. $3,000 cost. It currently costs me $1.00 to go 30 miles using my local utility. At my current usage it would take 18 years for the unit to pay for itself.

[@superbigblack]

Even if you base it off using the supercharger it will still take a while to break even.

[@mikewallace8087]

Can you see the car is not drivable while this solar mat is on the car ?

[@monkeysuncle2816]

​@@mikewallace8087 who TF thinks you UNFOLD it while driving? 🤣🤣

[@JohnSmith-ms2cl]

@@monkeysuncle2816dude, carrying that thing folded up on the roof rack is DRAG, Also yeah, when unfolded, a good gust of wind will shed it or thrash it around till it scratches the car - say beach sand gets underneath, because you’re at the beach.. LOL - revision 2 - BUMPER STRAPS or Bonnet - sorry FRUNK VACUUM CAPS LOOOOL get a normal car and chill

[@yggdrasil9039]

Good points. Hopefully they address this.

[@xiaowei1]

It could be a great solution for people who don't have access to charging at home. Otherwise, the upfront price is actually a bit steep. In Australia, with our rebates, we can install an entire 6.6kw solar system for that price. But as stated, if you only have street parking, it would be a must have item.

[@thyristo]

Nope. Too expensive...and realistically it converts atound 300 Watts only. Those who dont bave charging at home have charging on the street.

[@xiaowei1]

@@thyristo I agree about the price, it's too steep. Not sure if a 1.2kw system will only produce 300w, as the panels used a fairly high quality with 20% advertised efficiency. Reading a review on the product, it made 4.3kw in a single day (this of course would fluctuate with time of year, location, etc...). I suspect in summer in Australia, it would make a bit more, as a 6.6kw system (with a 5kw inverter) can make a bit over 40kw per day. So if it made 1/5 the amount, that's still closer to 8kw. If someone does not have home charging and used a charging station, this is also very expensive at $0.63 a kw (where I am located). GoSun's product would take a very long time to pay for itself compared to home electricity prices (off peak on my electricity plan is $0.08 kw/h, with free electricity from 11:00am to 2:00pm), but not so much when compared to charging stations. Making the assumption of only 4.3kw per day, this is still a savings of $988 a year. That's assuming perfect conditions and full yearly use, so it would likely take twice as long to get those savings. Compared to home electricity prices however, the product simply does not make any economical sense.

[@philiptaylor7902]

Looks a whole load more practical than the Heath Robinson wind turbine Robert & Imogen were playing with on Fully Charged.

[@aaronfranklin324]

Ridiculous expensive junk.

[@beehappy7797]

I am convinced that many people are stupid enough to buy it.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Sounds great in a sunny safe place but could it be stolen from the roof

[@lkrnpk]

Could be good for homes that do not have a garage. Also my apartment block has gates and my neighbors will not steal it so could be good.

[@theproffessional9]

So can wheels, so can luggage racks, so can roof tracks, etc.

[@KidHorn7001]

Might be hard to steal without destroying it.

[@DeSilver215]

Yeah, can be vandalised if passer by choose to.

[@unclefatbloke]

It think people commenting that the current version is impracticle, need to take a step back and look at the evolution in the EV industry over the last 10 years. More innovations and steps forward than in the ICE industry in 50 years! So, this solar system iteration is Step 1. The improvements in solar cells will reduce the size of this system every year. Solar films that are put on windows are also getting better & better. This system is not useful in all countries/hemispheres - obviously, but I think this design & efficiency will evolve massively in the next 5 years!

[@hugothompson3709]

Its great its still charging of the 200W panel on top of roofbox, as will help compensate for increased drag and power consumption that really peaks when driving faster Recently got out first EV , Hyundai Ionqic 5 and even with some teething probs we love and its already saving us money. Its interesting how quickly you become aware of your energy use tho. Driving at motorway speeds 110-120km/h + having a roof rack and roofbox reduced our range 20-30%.

[@RonnyJakobsson]

200W/h = 1 kilometer of driving 😂

[@beehappy7797]

@@RonnyJakobsson And only if the sun shines 90 degrees towards the panels. Throughout a whole day you will get less than 50%.

[@gill7087]

It would be ideal on the roof of a pop top caravan in Australia. It would shade the roof on hot days, could charge the off grid batteries in the van, keep the aircon going then charge the tow vehicle while it’s parked at the camp site.

[@gill7087]

@@oldbloke204 Correct, but usually there is only room for one or 2 panels. This is the equivalent of 4 or 5 so could trickle charge an EV as well as van.

[@ElMistroFeroz]

Love it. No more parasitic load when turning on Sentry mode. Well who needs Sentry mode when your front cameras are blocked anyway.

[@strouja]

Thanks Perfect for sunny areas like Australia and Southern California. Like you said, a great fit for those in apartment complexes that can’t have a home charger. Thanks for posting Good luck with the eye, glad a fellow EV owner doctor saw you.

[@ProfessorHamer]

From experience, wind is an issue, I used plastic suction cups in the end to secure the panels

[@MarkSpohr]

A lot of people have added solar PV to eBikes. They've tried canopies and also trailers. Mostly they work. Some can even power long distance trips.

[@rochellerochelle1488]

EST. FULL PRICE $2,999*. you know they gon' steal it.

[@TomasAngelus]

Except you have a Tesla with sentry mode.

[@aaronfranklin324]

Stupid ridiculous expensive crap. Buy a box of solar cells from China. Stick them on your car with contact adhesive, and clearspray the whole lot with a high build clearcoat. Soldering them together before clearcoat in whatever series /parallel setup you desire. It's will cost you 10 bucks for a kilowatt of cells. Which is 5 square metres MAYBE you might have room for ten if you cover the whole car🙄. The cells are only half a mm thick with a fibreglass backing. And are more efficient than those flexy junk ones here. A dc/dc voltage converter suitable will cost you less than 50 bucks. If you don't want to pay for the clears pray just use clear self adhesive polyfilm. It won't be perfectly smooth. But IF You want smooth, you could fair it with a simple cheap material like 70% MgO 30% MgCl, from a farm fertiliser supply shop mixed to a paste with some water. This will harden to a soft plaster consistency in 4 hrs, and be easily scrapped and sanded flush with the cells as long as it doesn't fully dry at that point. Just a smooth leather pad is sufficient to sand it fair at the 4 to 8 hour set but damp stage. A bag of cotton fibre powder as used to mix with epoxy as a glue filler mixed in would make it as tough as billiard balls or bowling balls. That's the formula they are made from. Once it dries fully it's as hard as a ceramic cup and smooth textured and tough. Or you could pour and squedgee it over Areas then stretch shiny plastic film, like industrial gladwrap over the panel a smooth it with a wet sponge, till the cells are pretty much visible. Then just lightly fair with a damp chamois stuck to a flexible backing like 4mm plywood . Once it's dry clearspray Easy job to do in a day. Cost you less than 100 bucks all up. Remember that cells in series dont work good if one of them is in shade, so you want lots of patches facing same direction in series, and all of those in parallel. And probably go for at least 12 volt series groups to minimise voltage converter losses. Buck boost step ups are pretty efficient and cheap. It's so Friggen embarrassing to see this sort of ridiculously crap quality shite as that product being tarted up to look flashy, marketed like it's flash and suckers paying that kind of stoopid price. What I'm suggesting here is going to at least double the watt hours you'll harvest, relative to that bogus product. Ten sqm will weigh five kilos. It will keep your car cool. And look real cool too. If you want to do even better, just get a cheap car with a blown petrol engine, stick 3 electric 2.5 hp treadmill brushed dc motors in, one driving the (DEFINATELY use manual gearbox) and one driving each of the other wheels directly, by standard CV halfshafts. Those treadmill motors use wound field coils, not permanent magnets, so adjusting the voltage and current to the field could gives you speed and power control and recyclic braking. That's how the best electric cars ever made were made. Far more efficient than anything today. Baker Electric for example. In fact, order some edison nickel iron cells edison cells from China. They don't need computers or climate control and steal your watthrs and last forever. Don't catch fire.... People today are suckers. They buy into anything that they see bring promoted as the latest and best. 🙄 This tech peaked BEFORE WW2. It's all just got crappie, less reliable, less efficient since. 🙄🤭

[@KidHorn7001]

I'll wait until temu has a hundred of the same thing for $299.

[@rochellerochelle1488]

@@TomasAngelus does it physically stop you? 'cause if it don't, I'm quite certain thieves will ignore it, even mock it "pLeAAssE StEep awAAy from the VEeehicle LOL"

[@jb5music]

This is true. And they'll also keep stealing the copper cables and the wheels right off the car. US is a difficult place to practice electrification and renewables implementation.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

This would be so great for use with my Cybertruck, as there's no paint to worry about scuffing up with the panels when you fold and unfold. Also, I work from home and park my Cybertruck outside, so it mostly just sits there all week until I drive it on the weekends to go mountain/dirt biking. I am really gonna look into getting one!

[@larzlarz1140]

A model 3 long range is epa rated at 26 kwh per 100 miles. The average American drives 15k miles per year. That works out to 3,900 kwh per year. Peer reviewed research by the department of energy shows a Toyota Corolla (similar sedan aero) with a roof top cargo box uses 20.8% more fuel during the epa highway driving cycle. So putting one of these on top of a model 3 would cost the average driver an extra 811.2 kwh per year because of the increase air drag. This unit is rated at 1,200w watts max. In sunny southern california, a 1.2 kw rooftop solar install will make 1,833 kwh per year. So this unit will make 1,833 kwh per year (assuming the solar is deployed every day and you only drive when the sun is down), but then eats up 811 kwh per year because of increased drag. And that is in an idealized EPA driving cycle. Most people drive faster than that and the drag losses will be higher than what was found in the research setting. Is that worth it? How long will this last? 30 years like typical rooftop solar on your house? The average american only keeps a car 12.6 years. And the cost of the GoSun unit is $3,000 for a 1,200 watt output, or $2.50 per watt of output. When you factor in air drag losses, it is more like $4.48 per watt of output. Tesla currently prices their rooftop solar installs at $2.30 per watt. And those will last for 30 years. When you do the math, this is a horrible idea for anyone that has roof top solar or has access to cheap level 2 charging. The only sensible use-case scenario would be for people that only have access to expensive level 3 chargers.

[@kennethferland5579]

Grossly bad anlaysis. First off this object is much smaller then a top cargo box and should present much lower drag. Second highway driving is only half of typical driving, city driving has much lower speed and will carry almost negligable air drag losses. Far from 'idealized' driving you created a strawman. Correcting these assumptions and your looking at closer to 5% losses or just 200 kwh per year and plenty of surplus power if the device is deployed regularly. Also the duration that people keep a car is irrelivent because the device is not permently part of the car, you could change EV's every year and just move the device from car to car each time, again you are creating a strawman by inviting comparison to a solar instalation on a homes rooftop which people cant take with them when the move.

[@larzlarz1140]

@@kennethferland5579 You’ve never taken any college level physics classes, right? Drag is frontal area times drag coefficient. Cargo boxes are optimized to create the most volume of storage with the lowest frontal area possible, which means a narrower and longer box and they have an aero shaped nose to reduce drag coefficient. This device is made to be as wide as possible to increase surface area when unfolded and the leading edge is pretty square and has multiple indentations where the solar panels fold, which is going to create turbulence and the drag coefficient is going to be twice as high as a cargo box. The frontal area is 1/2 as much as a large cargo box, but the drag coefficient is going to be twice as high as a cargo box. In the end, the total drag is going to be very similar to a cargo box. If this kick starter even makes it to market, people will test it and the math will then become clear and people will steer clear of this product. Also, its longevity will be short from gusty winds damaging it when it is deployed for charging and there will also be reports of damage to the vehicle from the unsecured panels flapping around. My bet is that this product is dead on arrival.

[@shanea9613]

Your maths checks out. It's a good Idea. Would be great to see it built into a vehicle and have double the output from the panels.

[@shanea9613]

​@@kennethferland5579I think his maths is great. Not to mention it would also have a loss, so won't actually give you the claimed 1200 to the battery. It's an awesome idea though.

[@bengt_axle]

Solar panels can now be made transparent. The efficiency may be quite low at this time, but what's to say it won't improve to the point where it can be integrated into the windscreens and charge up the car. Even if it is just a 10% charge in 8 hours, it might be enough to justify such passive charging.

[@seanlander9321]

Quite like the idea of folding by it out to run the air conditioning and not coming back to a boiling car.

[@humnpwr]

That’s a great invention. I’m patiently waiting for my Aptera EV that is covered with solar panels.

[@TB-up4xi]

Keep waiting - Aptera is vaporware. Aptera 1.0 - 2006-2011, 6 years = zero cars produced - conspiracy claims about the CEO being paid off by big oil. Aptera 2.0 2012-2014 -IP bought by ZJG , split into US and Chinese companies, ZJG claim they will make 5000 cars by the end of 2012, come 2013 zero cars produced - radio silence. Aptera 3.0 2019- $260mil capital raised - $16mil left in the bank all spent on offices, advertising and R&D. No in-house manufacturing capability, no software, a few hand built carbon fibre and fibreglass composite prototypes, cars produced & sold...surprise surpise = zero. Tech is now outdated. 40kw max DC charging 3kw max AC. Struggled to find a new supplier for their useless hub motors - less efficient, more prone to damage and susceptible to water and dirt ingress. Would need another massive injection of capital to start producing at low volume through a contract manufacturer, still no demonstration of software (which as we know the achilles heal of startup EVs) 2 years after their $200mil IPO Tesla had produced the model S and X - 2 years later they had $3.5Billion annual revenue, Aptera's combined revenue since 2006? ....... $0.

[@rohankilby4499]

Super cool Sam sweet idea I’ll do some more research 🤙

[@good-g2w]

Acute exposure can cause tissue irritation and permanent respiratory damage. Exposure and sickness from diesel exhaust is usually hard to pinpoint, since affected people can exhibit cold-like symptoms of headache, runny eyes and nose, nausea, and asthma-like responses.

[@HansAllrad]

What we urgently need in times of climate emergency and storms is protection for vehicles from hail!

[@13MAM13]

There is no "climate emergency". There is a overpopulation and pollution emergency

[@user-4in4nxDonaldRennie]

The thing will cost at least $3,000. It would probably a lot cheaper to replace your windshield or repair your roof, if they get damaged by hail, and both will be tougher than these solar panels, so survive the hail with less damage. If hail is forecast, you'd want to remove this thing from your car & bring it inside (if you can't park your whole car inside). But otherwise yes, it would be great for anytime the grid goes down, or other similar emergencies.

[@ChickensAndGardening]

Brilliant idea. Eventually photovoltaics will be painted onto the car's roof and chassis, possibly the windows as well; it will just invisibly, quietly add miles back while parked during the day. Such tech has already been demonstrated.

[@1voluntaryist]

Build-in PV comes with the Aptera, here in 2025, forty miles/day. Most efficient design by 3 x, e.g., lowest drag, .13, >100 kilos.

[@marcbiff2192]

Pie in the sky.

[@DeSilver215]

Aptera will be about 800kg, bonus is its only got 3 tires you have to service.

[@beehappy7797]

For stipid people only. Stopp too mush air when driving.

[@kevinb7461]

This product sounds great. It would be great for airport parking. Come back to a fully charged car, not worrying about phantom drain while gone. Also it shades the car, reducing heat build up in the car. Thanks Viking

[@vindigga6]

30 miles is interesting, and in rural areas is also a consideration. But i can see people stealing or damaging in urban areas. It would be nice if someone came up with an self depolying version.

[@nononsenseBennett]

It's a good idea especially for campers. One day every car will have solar cells built in. Until then, this makes sense however it's vulnerable to theft/vandalism. An internal kit might be an option?

[@h-e-acc]

It’s good for home charging in place of charging using the outlet from one’s home. Pretty much that solar charger can only be used and unfurled in a secure and safe location. It will not be recommended to unfurl in dangerous high crime areas.

[@Nick-yo9pg]

Cannot wait for my Aptera for this very reason. Let's hope people transition to this type of vehicle.

[@aeromtb2468]

when

[@lavectech]

Yes this is one of the best things you could get for an EV. If you end up partnering with them please push them to launch in Australia with 240V output.

[@Ryan-ff2db]

I live in a hot climate with lots of sun. It would be great to shade your car and charge it but not at that price. In my area being generous it would take 8.2 years for break even if used every single day. Area's with lower electricity rates would be closer to 15 years. Not to mention the drag would most certainly reduce mileage efficiency.

[@dynamiclean]

I have 500 watts of solar on the top of my minivan, which charges an Ecoflow Delta pro, Delta with a 800 watt alternator charger, and a wave 2 air-conditioner - heat pump. When I want more solar three 200 watt foldable solat panels can be attached above the windshild down to the bumper. I've had the panels on the roof of the minivan since 2014. I was considering doing the same with an electric car.

[@albertiwong]

great for PHev, as they have smaller batteries than Bev, this product could mean solar charging instead of plug-in charging.

[@archamian]

Imagine if they could work with OEMs to integrate the system into new vehicles. The system does not appear to be that thick an in vehicles with already excellent headroom they wouldnt lose much.

[@kamingcloud2880]

This is the smartest solar charger to buy for your EV. The solar charger will save your money in a long run. Free Electricity from solar panels , the solar charger will paid it self off with in no time. GoSun should design a locking system so thieves can't steal the solar charger from people's EVs roof racks. 😉💖⚡️🔋🌞💯🌏✌️

[@JoeyBlogs007]

Useful for off grid camping setups.

[@melcragg7814]

The roof rack and the panels screw your aerodynamics. Still love the idea though

[@user-4in4nxDonaldRennie]

Yes, but it has a very thin & aerodynamic profile. It won't add very much drag, especially if driven below the speed limit (which contrary to popular opinion is a maximum, not a minimum) ;-)

[@richiroproductions8262]

this sounds awesome! my classic concern with any of these is this: is it secure? can it be locked in? can any random person come by and unplug or remove the panels thereby sabotaging range you were counting on to “leave a campsite” for example

[@filhodarosa7512]

In sunny countries, like Spain and Portugal, people buy sunshades in order to keep the interior cool. So this product could be very useful and help people to add a charge to their car. The only drawback is that thieves will soon figure out a way to steal these shades/panels. If there was a way to put this inside the car, this would solve the problem.

[@pr5991]

440 watt bifacial n type panel cost $98 in Melbourne, three will cost less than $300, install with rail on roof will give 8kw charging per day while parked at workplace

[@onlineactivityvideo]

Very interesting product hope it’s really coming to market

[@metricstormtrooper]

Back in the early 1980s i bought a 4 watt BP Solar (Remember them) for $124, its fallen off the roof of my caravan and it still working. Recently i bought 5wk of new panels for my home and they cost $1600.

[@EV-FUN]

I like this product, but what if it becomes windy? Ideal if you drive in urban areas . If you are on highways the wind resistans may be to high.

[@grahamkearnon6682]

Thanks for the sales pitch Sam!

[@rubytuby6369]

Maybe they could incorporate the solar right into the hood, the roof and the trunk and maybe even the side panels. you never have to take it out or put it back. It would always be working.

[@beehappy7797]

One of the world's best engineers, Elon Musk, says that there will be too little effect in relation to the cost. It is not possible to save extra costs during the car's lifetime.

[@Wandering_Bear]

I'd really like something like this... however not to release until 2026? Rather than ship from the US in 2 years it might be wiser to wait for a Chinese copy, and you know there will be many.

[@MichaelF350]

Wow, the ultimate prepper toy. When the zombie apocalypse hits you are going to be ready!

[@jb5music]

Make it 30% wider. Then when you close it up have it so the closed unit rotates 90°... It would only overhang the windshield and the rear window a little more that wouldn't matter. You'd get even more capacity out of it and it would completely cover the car in shade.

[@Stan-b3v]

Are they typical solar panels with a ten or fifteen year life span? If so the cost compared to grid charging is even less attractive, along with the daily effort to deploy and retract it every time the car moves. Then there is the extra weight and drag and cleaning of the panels. Not a bad idea , but likely not all that cost effective.

[@elisamaritan7797]

Takes an average of 12 years to recover the expenses to buy it, I believe is a MUST😂

[@lloydsingline340]

You'll need a new battery about then and that will hit your hip pocket- worthless trade in.

[@mickwreay3034]

How's it gonna perform when it's windy? Can see it wrecking itself and the car's paintwork?

[@Mrdsmith500]

I have solar to charge my Bolt. It takes a whole lot of panels just to do a level 1. I can do 8 amp and 12 amp. Looking at that setup not sure it would be a workable idea. A bike, sure, a car, me say not so fast. I think the drag from wind resistance would kill any overall savings.

[@mikewallace8087]

The payback period is 10 years of everyday use. Will the apparatus last that long? Will a bad person damage it for fun? Could solar be used on Tesla S Plaids of Semi Tractors ? The first is to be available in 2025 , reserve today for $100. Actual availability is like TESLA projections.

[@immunity4soul]

The problem i see that are solvable are theft of the panels in city use and the fact its not hardwired into the car battery system. So when you driving it doesn’t charge you would have to plug in to get the 200 watts without folding it out. I still would be interested but they if they fixed those issues it is a game changer. I know the in the city i live in it would be stolen in the first 5 minutes of being outside my apartment in broad daylight.

[@hataf3]

Why dont ev makers just make solar panel coated frunk, roof and boot? Would save the hassle of opening and closing these rooftop panels. Would also continuously charge the battery while you drive

[@Ralphie419]

Two things - you'll notice that this system (usable only when parked in a safe, windless place) completly covers the car from stem to stern to get enough square footage. If built into the car, you can't cover that much area (because of windows and the cell's shapes, etc.) And there's the problem that most cars would get only a tiny benefit for the cost of adding permanent panels. One EV maker IS covering the car with panels exactly as you suggest: Aptera. But it's only practical because Aptera is so amazingly efficient that it can gain as much as 40 miles on a sunny day (approximately what the average person drives per day.) EVs of standard design could only drive 10 miles (or much less) on that same amount of juice. The expense of adding the cells makes it non-economic for such a small gain, so that's why most EV makers don't even consider it. The best that can be claimed by those individuals who want to install some cells on their EV is that this small amount of extra juice could power fans, charge their phone, or run some lights. Even Aptera doesn't promise that charging the battery "while you drive" adds significant mileage. It takes a full day of good sun to get the ~40 miles. Imagine a long trip with a "1000 miles per charge" model. If you start with a full battery and drive in bright sun as far as you can, you might go 40 more miles than the 1000 you would have otherwise traveled, but you would now have an empty battery that requires: 1) charging at a supercharger, 2) charging for several hours or overnight at level two, or 3) twenty-five days of sitting in the sun before it is fully charged again. Each day WOULD get you ~40 miles, which is very useful -- after several hours on the first day, you'd possibly have enough juice to get the car to a charger! This was purely imaginary, though; nobody with any sense would run it until actually empty.

[@yggdrasil9039]

Great idea.

[@OWK000]

Flexible panels have such a short life span compared to glass, with that thing on the roof anyway you could just figure out the best configuration of glass panels for your roof and have it charging to your car at all times there is sun, while driving etc. If pass thru charging is possible. Anyway, you are parked more of the time anyway and it would be probably be less than $3000. Maybe an extra pull out panel or two. That would be more $$$. I've seen it on RVs. Or not. With the charge set up to the car tho, being a big part of the expense, it would be worth it to be able to optionally hook a couple more panels in some situations. I have noticed in my neighborhood especially a few years ago, that people getting electric cars were also getting solar on the roof at the same time. It makes sense.

[@rogerzimmerman304]

Great idea, but as pointed out in the comments below, it could take well over decade to pay off based on electricity prices. But if live in a place with no way to plug in, it may be useful, or on a camping trip, or just to ensure you are using clean energy to power your vehicle. I expect prices will drop rapidly for this.

[@mxguy2438]

Sure. It takes about 6 rooftop solar panels to offset the power used by a model 3. This system isn't quite enough to power an EVs average usage, but it's close enough to be useful. The bigger question is how long will it last? It would be better if EV manufacturers integrated them into the top surfaces of the car instead, or maybe have them come out of the trunk similar to a convertible top.

[@pascalbruyere7108]

Needs sun and no wind. Reduces your aerodynamics = maybe a net loss depending on your use. Can get stolen. Saves maybe one or two dollars per sunny day, ie up to $60 per sunny month, not worth the hassle and investment, but I can see the use for off-road although there might be better options that are not carried on the roof all the time.

[@Rabs73]

I wonder if there will be a CCS2 version?

[@kieronimo1]

You need to be able to charge while you're driving. You can't drive down the motorway (obviously with just the top panel) with that charger cable plugged in. A system that bonded to the roof, parcel shelf and dash could be pretty cool (and less likely to be stolen). I have a feeling that Aptera will develop their technology to make panels that fit neatly over roofs, boots and bonnets. That would be cool (but probably expensive).

[@travisjazzbo3490]

Charging via something like this on a normal size Sedan at best would be maybe 2 miles in an hour

[@markrowland1366]

The patio panels might help me. I have my van roof covered.

[@enighostmaster]

Unfortunately, you still have to overcome the reduction in range because of the Increased weight/drag of the system, but these products will likely continue to improve.

[@mikewallace8087]

That system renders the car not drivable, the windshield and rear window are covered. Are you blind ?

[@monkeysuncle2816]

​@@mikewallace8087 do you think you use it WHILE driving? 😂😂

[@enighostmaster]

@@mikewallace8087 That's a pretty weak troll "mike"

[@mikewallace8087]

@@enighostmaster the real weakness of that system is the 10 year break even fact, that being how long this weak collector takes to repay itself in the best everyday conditions.

[@aknsd2009]

Good info. Thanks for sharing. Make a regular EV an Aptera.

[@milescoleman910]

I wonder how much cooler it keeps the inside. I wonder why the superheated interior can’t be converted to power.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Cheers mate

[@aeromtb2468]

charge while at work or good for camping

[@1voluntaryist]

My Aptera will self-charge, 40 miles/day, standard with all ranges, 250, 400, 600, 1000 miles. And it looks like it could fly.

[@TB-up4xi]

LOL - you will never get your Aptera - it's vaporware and the CEO is full of BS - 5 years into their 3rd attempt at producing a car (Aptera 1.0 2006-2011 and Aptera 2.0 2012-2014 both abandoned) they have raised $260million capital, spent all of it except for the last $16million on offices, executive salaries, R&D and advertising. They have no in-house manufacturing facilties, no software (that they can demo) they had to find a new hub motor supplier because they never fulfilled promises with their old one. Their tech is now old - 40kw max DC and 3kw max AC charging. They need another massive injection of capital to start manufacturing at a contract supplier and they are now struggling big time to raise any cash - party number 3 will be over by the end of 2024. You're delusional to think you would ever have gotten 40 miles per day on average - that's based on 4kwh being produced mid-summer on a cloudless day in Arizona and it assumes 10miles per kwh efficiency. The average in a dry sunny southern US climate (from their 700w maxmimum array) year round is 2.8-2.9 kwh per day, and that's only if you keep the car 100% outside every day during the daylight hours, never in the shade, never in a garage or underground car park, it's more like 1.3-1.4kwh per day in London or 1.6-1.7kwh per day in Seattle WA. They would have needed some magical Tardis dust to fit a 100kwh battery (needed for 1000miles) into that electric auto-cycle (and still get 10miles per kwh efficiency). To put that into perspective the 100kwh Tesla pack weighs 625kg / 1400lbs and is 2.2m x 1.5m x 0.34m in size, they claim exactly the same 10miles per kwh efficiency regardless of the battery size - despite a car with a 100kwh battery weighing a minimum 60% more (475kg 1050lbs more) than the base model with a 25kwh battery - I can smell the BS from a mile away.

[@beehappy7797]

Extra air resistance will eat up the entire savings. Fisker tried it integrated into the car roof, and see how it ended.

[@TheMighty_T]

No way would that not get stolen or vandalized in most cities. However if on a camping trip/holiday it could prove very handy for remote charging. 1200 watts of solar for 3000 is pretty steep, but it is a plug and play kit. I'd look to build a portable array with a battery pack for a bit less and more multi use scenarios.

[@nroose]

So, how much extra aero drag? Just need to know.

The problem for now is the price. For that price I could get from the grid 18,3Mw that could make me ride 150.000km... Finantially doesn't make sense but It could be good for someone who does not have access to the grid.

[@captainahab9265]

AWESOME ! ! !

[@kennethferland5579]

Parking at your workplace is far more likely to be what people do. I've always said this was a far more desirable system because the surplus of solar power on the grid will be durring the day when most cars are away from the home. Employeers can simply give that cheap power away to charge employee cars using a cheap level 1 trickle charger.

[@adddude7524]

Still just feels like a really cool science project but not a practical mass solution. Manufacturers need to get their arses in gear and at least add solar to the roof and hood right from the factory. All tied into the high voltage battery. No additional drag, preferably no additional cost, no theft, not easily damaged, etc....

[@h-e-acc]

That is the way!! Tesla has to build and sell their own native portable solar charger, maybe hopefully Tesla buys GoSun off and acquire all of GoSun’s properties and offer it as an accessory to all Tesla vehicles.

[@stefanpredl6849]

They tried all these stupid ideas already not worth it, exspicially when in the future there will be solar parks and batteries everywhere. Same whit the replaceable battery good for delivery drivers on small mopeds but inpractical on cars.

[@TB-up4xi]

LOL - $3000 USD ($4650 AUD) for 4.5kwh a day average in Brisbane (4.2kwh in Sydney) - at 8c per kwh overnight rate that's 58,000 kwh before break-even = 38 years of charging, and that requires the car to be outside 100% of every daylight hour, never in a garage, never in the shade, never being driven. It also doesn't take into account that 110km/h on the freeway with the box on top will consume an extra 1kwh every 10km of driving.

[@dolphindave3037]

Unfortunately NACS connector only. I enquired and they've got no plans for other connections. 🥴

[@dangr3957]

Especially if you’re driving a m3 sr 150wh/m. I think Aptera has lost its last value if this works. It’s to good to be true but I would try this!

[@h-e-acc]

From my research, GoSun’s solar charger provides 1.2kW of charge which translates to 30 miles for 7-8 hours straight of charging in full sunlight. With proper charging management using GoSun’s EV solar charger, it is quite possible to reach a 91-92kw charge = 300 mile range just by using the solar charger alone and without having to use home charging or supercharging (that’s equivalent to 3 average workdays of solar charging), and solar charging would also be quite gentle to the batteries hence less battery degradation and contributes to the overall proper care and management of battery longevity. All in all it’s a net positive, so I can see why internal combustion engine and big oil lovers would hate and dismiss this technology. It completely eliminates fossil fuels altogether to provide the charge and range to the vehicle 🤭 there would still be times homecharging and supercharging may still be needed for emergency charging, but imagine if we have backyard fusion reactors the size of a single tesla megapack… goodbye fossil fuels forever 😧😧😧

[@TB-up4xi]

Not sure what you are on about - a 1200w array will produce on average 1700-1800 kwh per annum in a warm dry climate nearer the equator (at 100% charge efficiency but we'll leave the circa 15-20% charge losses out of the equation for now) - more like 900kwh per year in London or 1100kwh per year in Seattle etc. This accounts for lower winter sunlight hours, the angle of the sun not being perpendicular to the array, clouds, rain etc. That's on average 4.7kwh per day in an ideal climate and 2.5kwh per day in London or 3kwh per day in Seattle. = 19, 10 and 12 miles per day range respectively at 4miles per kwh That is based on leaving the array deployed 100% of the time during the daylight hours, never in the shade, never in a garage or undergorund car park, never driving during the day. It also excludes the extra cost of the drag on the freeway - at 75mph this setup would consume an extra 150wh/mile = 16-30 miles (depending on climate) before all of the benefit was lost in extra consumption alone. My home electricity overnight rate is $0.08 (AUD = $0.05 USD) per kwh. $3000 USD in panels would be the equivalent of 60,000kwh cost = 35, 66 and 55 years resectively of charging (in the ideal circumstances noted above) to recoup the costs , no thanks.

[@jameskopp2563]

@@TB-up4xithat is subjective to where you live so your math is off

[@Note7creole]

Ot will definitely save me money

[@user-4in4nxDonaldRennie]

Never mind average daily range. I've seen a calculation that alleged that the CyberTruck will lose 4% of it's charge overnight (with everything turned off), and the GoSun solar charger will add about 4% of charge to a CyberTruck over an entire day. Tesla needs to kill those phantom loads, before this will add any watts to a CyberTruck.

[@TB-up4xi]

That's BS - I have seen the video where the guy claims 45% lost in 10 days parked at the airport with everything off - it's not supported by anyone else who owns a CT and he never shows the energy app screens to prove it - my model 3 loses 1% (0.57kwh) every 3 to 4 days

[@user-4in4nxDonaldRennie]

@@TB-up4xi Well that doesn't sound like the same person that claimed a 4% loss parked overnight while camping, so it might be "supported" by two people. But I want to believe you. Losing 4% overnight to phantom loads, is totally ridiculous.

[@iamatransporter]

This is really clever. Drive to work and be charging it while you're in the office. Sad to say but it will be a target for thieves.

[@rossr6616]

Place "Danger High Voltage" Stickers on it

[@j4k3br4k3]

The idea of charging your car from solar while parked is great. This form of execution... I dont know. 30 Miles per day is theoretically possible (best of best conditions) but that shouldnt be the expectation, 10-15 miles is more realistic and thats a lot of daily hassel for not a lot of gain. The worst of worst conditons (winter, full size truck) this is only going to provide 7 miles of range per day or less. FWIW if you can find any basic 120V outlet with an extension cord it will charge faster and 24/7. 34kWh/day vs. 4-7kWh daily off this thing.

[@grahambate1567]

Great idea, but much to expensive at 3000 dollars, I can get a roof panel array for not much more, with 5 times the output When they are half that price will look at buying

[@DinoTamer23]

I like this product, but 1 issue you failed to address for those in the city, what’s to stop thieves from stealing it??? Seems pretty easy given how light and portable. $3000 payday for thieves. Particularly dangerous if you live in California or God forbid, San Fran where they bust windows out on a regular basis.

[@paulwilhelmsen1602]

Biggest benefit is shade on a sunny day…no need for dog mode

[@danielstapler4315]

Maybe some car makers will make a built in version of this idea.

[@13MAM13]

I have 15kw of solar, would be nice to be able to DC to DC charge my Lightning with it. I have no idea how. I can use a converter but that seems stupid. To DC to AC only to AC to DC convert back into the Ford's battery

[@restonthewind]

It's a nice idea, and I'm tempted to order one, but even at $3000, it'll take over a decade to pay for itself at 12 cents/kwh (my residential electricity rate) if I use it every day, and I won't use it every day. Aptera's solar panels are similarly dubious though the vehicle's hyperefficiency is still attractive. If the tax credit exists when the company delivers, I may buy one anyway, but I have a hard time justifying it as a cost saver.

[@mvelez9036]

Sam where is your 15% discount url on the Gosun 100 dollar deposit ? I could be blind this morning, pardon..

[@mvelez9036]

Ok I get it. Discount code. I could not keep up with your pace lol.

[@haroldnicholos7436]

How many miles does it give you per day he didn't mention that

[@WingAddict]

Maybe you need to watch the video again and pay closer attention this time.

[@microbiologycory10]

2…in real life…. The worst thing about this is that many people will believe this and dive in and get a bad taste when it sucks.

[@haroldnicholos7436]

He said 10 to 15% of your daily driving needs. That doesn't tell me how many miles per day. I mean s*** for me that would be like 30 or 40 miles. I'm sure it doesn't give you that much

[@EPeltzer]

I have shopped around and there really is no good affordable solution to just charge your car directly from solar panels. You can't just wire them up directly or even to an inverter. Because the EVSE we have is AC, and can't deal with intermittent power like the sun going behind clouds, most people even tell you you need an additional buffer battery to keep the current on an even keel. So what is really needed is a direct low current capable DC interface but of much higher voltage matching the needs of the battery pack, which is not really available yet. Also I can definitely see people just stealing solar panels that are rolled out on top of your roof. A better solution is larger capacity regular solar panels on a roof or permanently mounted or on private property. This could be anywhere from a kilowatt to six or eight etc. which would be as fast as our current level 2 charging. We have two EVs and one usually sits home all day and can charge while the other is being driven. We could definitely supply all of our EV charging using such a system, other than the fast charging we use on trips. So what I would be really interested in is the electronic interface that this thing uses between the solar panels and the car charger. And as it's only 1,200 watts it could be far cheaper than $3,000 that's for sure.

[@jamesdubben3687]

Very interesting

[@electricviking]

Glad you think so!

[@livingladolcevita7318]

as my car sits outside my house most of the week this would be a no brainer for me

[@h-e-acc]

If the GoSun solar charger is going to be stolen, that means the vehicle is also going to be stolen, not just the solar charger. Again, in this day and age in the US, if someone is planning to have a high tech EV, it would be ideal if they had a driveway, a garage or a private parking area where they can park and store their EVs and charge them in peace, security and safety. If it’s a situation where it’s just parked along a sidewalk or parked in a mass parking space as in the parking in an apartment building or townhouse - and forget about parking in a city or public housing - the chances of it getting stolen or violated is higher than if it’s parked securely in a home garage/driveway/backyard parking space. That’s why I was seriously thinking Elon Musk would add a more active defensive measure to all Tesla vehicles on top of the passive security measure (sentry mode).

[@GeoFry3]

Shoulds cars EV or gas have a solar panel on them? Yes they should. Keeping modern car systems from draining the batteries will always be helpful. A little extra range doesn't ever hurt either. Will they be useful for the average customer to extend range.or eliminate charging. No, probably not.