Charging While Driving?

[SwampNut]

This is just math. You can work it yourself to decide what you think. I've had solar on RVs and boats here and there, I'm not a huge fan as it does so little for you. But for some, it lets them do what they want off grid for weeks. Depends on your usage.

Each square foot of panel gives you about 15w, so it's just a matter of the number of feet times the number of hours that you will get full sun on it. A truck bed cover panel will get a lot of shade during many hours of the day because of the cab and trailer, unless you happen to be going just East/West. Since in towing applications we're seeing usage above .5kWh per mile and approaching 1kWh, again, just do the math there.

A small panel on a boat or RV has always been useful for simple non-use maintenance. That's the extent of my optimism on it.

 

[JBee]

My other proposal is for Elon sending lightning bolts directly into your charging antenna through his Starlink.

Not as far fetched as you think!

https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/tesla-solar-roof-apr1/amp/

 

[Obi]

I haven't seen this topic come up before, but very possible I've missed it. Doesn't it seem like all EV trucks are missing a big opportunity to allow a plug by the hitch for solar charging while it is being towed? Elon mentioned solar on tonneau cover w/ solar could add 30-40mile per day. Imagine what energy a much larger RV could provide. A good way to make up lost range to towing, and additionally, you don't have to connect solar once stopped. It's already connected.

Thoughts? Seems like a perfect option for a tow package.

I remember Airstrem working a concept trailer with regen, batteries and solar . Awesome

 

[Cybertruckee]

Not as far fetched as you think!

https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/tesla-solar-roof-apr1/amp/

Thanks for sharing.

And who needs to be connected to the grid?

A boon to islands, continents and countries with large isolated settlements like Australia, Africa...

 

[SwampNut]

And who needs to be connected to the grid?

Unfortunately, in most of the US, the government forces you to be connected.

 

[Crissa]

This is just math. You can work it yourself to decide what you think. I've had solar on RVs and boats here and there, I'm not a huge fan as it does so little for you. But for some, it lets them do what they want off grid for weeks. Depends on your usage.

That's terrible math.

Comparing one day's journey to something that will work every day, all year?

Unfortunately, in most of the US, the government forces you to be connected.

Where does it force you to be connected?

Is that by area or by population?

-Crissa

 

[Cybertruckee]

Unfortunately, in most of the US, the government forces you to be connected.

Actually no!

There are many places in California where people choose to be off grid specially with the latest capability to be self-sufficient in electricity.

I know someone who choose to go full solar and off grid with the kind of money the utility is asking him for electric posts and wiring.

 

[CyberGus]

A truck bed cover panel will get a lot of shade during many hours of the day because of the cab and trailer, unless you happen to be going just East/West.

But what if you're towing a trailer full of mirrors

 

[firsttruck]

Unfortunately, in most of the US, the government forces you to be connected.

Is it really true you can lead a horse to water but you can not force the horse to drink?

 

[SwampNut]

Is it really true you can lead a horse to water but you can not force the horse to drink?

I don't know. Every time I've taken a horse to the bar, he outdrinks me. So I have no idea. Have you had one refuse?

 

[GlockandRoll]

There are several reasons why you should not charge while driving.

 

[Crissa]

There are several reasons why you should not charge while driving.

That's news to the regen settings.

-Crissa

 

[GlockandRoll]

The inverter is obviously a LOT smarter than you are.