Solar charging blanket

[GRC]

Product looks really cool....but I assume really slow charging?

https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/ev-solar-charger-station-mobile-gosun/

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[kylealden]

(Warning: Extreme ballpark math)

Under absolutely (farcically) ideal conditions, this would be theoretically slightly slower than L1 charging (e.g. a regular wall outlet). That's what I do at home and it's good for about 30 miles overnight (10-12 hours).

In practice, you're probably looking at half or a third of that speed under any realistic conditions, and only during peak sunlight. So, say, optimistically 10-15 miles a day in the summer with tons of direct sunlight?

Once you account for clouds, seasons, latitudes, and losses (e.g. to the buffer battery that will be required for this setup), it's probably more like 5-10 miles a day, assuming you park outside in the sun and don't drive during the day.

In theory, something like this could be a pretty cool "true off grid" solution for a part-time utility vehicle. In practice, it's probably not going to offset the aero losses and/or vampire drain it will introduce from keeping the truck awake. You'd be a thousand times better off carrying a small generator and some gas or propane. Or if you are truly offgrid, put in a proper stationary solar array that can charge up something like a Powerwall, and L2 your truck from there.

Solar is awesome, but even at the limits of physics for theoretical perfect efficiency, it's unlikely to ever be a practical way to charge EVs on the go.

 

[josh0]

I think I read a different article about this (possibly a different but similar product) that mentioned it has its own battery, which lets It store enough power to be able to add an appreciable charge to your vehicle in a short amount of time. Otherwise, pure solar with such a small footprint just isn’t going to cut it until we have vastly more efficient EVs.

 

[Mathme]

For $3,000 and the size to store each panel when not in use, you'd do better to buy a 30amp generator for $500 and be able to put some appreciable energy into your battery...

 

[VSG]

Do we really have to go over all of this yet again? OP, please search for the half a dozen other threads that discuss this product before opening a new thread.

 

[MUYFAST]

Agreed! Not worth reviewing again

 

[SwampNut]

Stupid gimmick, lack of using search, etc...

 

[doit82]

I can think of one use case.....when leaving at an airport parking garage for an extended period parking on the roof of the garage with this would be good to make sure vampire drain does not leave you empty. Is that worth $3000? Probably not.

 

[Thedude]

I can think of one use case.....when leaving at an airport parking garage for an extended period parking on the roof of the garage with this would be good to make sure vampire drain does not leave you empty. Is that worth $3000? Probably not.

That will be stolen by the end of day two in an airport parking lot.

 

[Zoidz]

That will be stolen by the end of day two in an airport parking lot.

At the Philadelphia airport it would probably not make it past 2 or 3 hours.

 

[doit82]

At the Philadelphia airport it would probably not make it past 2 or 3 hours.

Haha, naive VT here.

 

[Count Orlok]

looks like a good option for charging the Royal Electric Cub Cadet. thanks.

 

[Count Orlok]

someone should start a thread about whether playing corn hole can be a good way to charge their R.

 

[zymolysis]

That will be stolen by the end of day two in an airport parking lot.

I would never park in an airport lot - it's just a shopping mall for thieves. However, it might be safe in a (near the airport) parking lot, that has actual security, and doesn't allow people to wander around.

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