Solar Panels Top With Awnings for R1 by Solarrolla

[Electric Rivilution]

Solarrolla posted this preview of their R1 solar panels top with slide out awnings. They claim it's capable of up to 30 miles per day solar harvest.

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[Yota2R1T]

I cannot think of too many situations that this would be beneficial in. Obviously if you're planning a WAY out there overlanding trip, where you will be stationary for a day or two and you expect to run ~50 miles short, then congrats, you've mission-impossibled the situation. Much better/easier solution in this case is to bring a portable genset.
I'm a solar guy, and solar has MANY fantastic applications, but this is not one of them.
That's my take.

 

[Jonger1150]

I wonder if this would work with the R1T using the mounts on the bed rails.

 

[BigSkies]

Where on the R1S would you plug the panels into?

 

[Dark-Fx]

I'm a solar guy, and solar has MANY fantastic applications, but this is not one of them.
That's my take.

This also looks like there's no way I could ever use it in the winter time here. Panels getting stuck out would be my worst nightmare.

 

[Nixapatfan]

I call BS on the upto 30 miles a day claim, that's approximately 15kw of energy. No way those 6 panels can generate that much in a day with the flat layout. I have 37 panels on my roof and on the best day in July only generated 64kw.

Also I bet the drag of that setup probably will cost you more range than it will recover.

 

[carsly]

Doesn't make much sense. So you lose 20-30 miles of range driving out to wherever you're adventuring with this rig on top - BTW, don't bring too much stuff since you have no roofbox. When you get there, unfurl these panels and hope you get enough sunlight to charge, presumably, a battery you lugged with you. Then use that portable battery to recharge the vehicle. Even if you get the solar output the losses to charge both batteries sequentially won't be small, esp. with the Rivian's overhead of powering systems to charge. Best case is you end up with the same battery level after two days of sitting still that you would have had if you didn't install this on your roof to begin with.

Why not just bring a portable propane or solar generator with flexible panels? No aero drag, no environmental risk to the panels and you can still see out the pano roof and mount a cargo box or roof rack if need be.

Feels like a solution in search of a problem.

 

[SwampNut]

Solar panels on EVs are rather useless as everyone else said. When I dry camp in the desert, if I go play in the dirt I use far more than that much power in one yahoo trip. Not that I go 30 miles, but fun rides use a lot of power. My plan is to take my generator on the next one, put the Rivian far enough not to hear it, and just let it run 24/7 except when using the truck.

In the past I've taken it to the RV park about 20 minutes away and let it sit there.

Anza-Borrego camping and West Shores/Johnson's Landing, for those familiar with the area.

 

[iansriv]

As solar panels become more efficient, I can see some uses if part of the top part of the car. Not just the roof. I just dont see it yet.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

What is its impact on aero? Does it generate enough energy to offset that impact? can its cost be justified? I have doubts.

 

[NeverFollow]

I'm a solar guy, and solar has MANY fantastic applications, but this is not one of them.

What your thought about the Aptera...

 

[VSG]

It doesn't math out.

This topic keeps coming up year after year, and the promises just don't conform with reality. Here's a few posts I wrote more than a year ago talking about a similar system which also claimed 30 miles a day. Read the whole thread for details and context.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...lar-charger-by-gosun.32001/page-2#post-603685
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...lar-charger-by-gosun.32001/page-2#post-603698

There have been many, many other detailed posts doing the math, but even in the most optimistic conditions with the largest solar panels you can imagine mounting on the vehicle, you're not going to get any significant range. MAYBE you could counter the vampire drain. Maybe. At a huge cost not only for the hardware but also for the lost efficiency of your vehicle.

 

[R1SFamilyGuy]

Agreed with everything said in this thread. Seems like very little to be gained.

BUT…opportunity to ask a technical question. If the panels are charging a battery pack you lug with you, can it also charge when you’re on the road? The sun is out…

 

[ndmiller]

I think this would work on a much lighter and slipper vehicle, depending on one's commute, think city commuter. BUT the price for that setup is going to be many many many times any free 30 miles of range, which is about $0.50-$0.75 at current electricity rates at my house.

 

[mkhuffman]

What is its impact on aero? Does it generate enough energy to offset that impact? can its cost be justified? I have doubts.

Yes, but when deployed, they act like wings and you can fly. This makes the R1 truly an off road vehicle.

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