Rooftop EV Solar Box Expands 6x for Off-Grid Car Charging

Starting as creators of solar hot dog cookers, GoSun has evolved to produce solar-powered camping trailers and tiny homes. Known for their unique solar products, their latest innovation is set to be revolutionary: an off-grid electric vehicle charging system. By unfurling solar panels over the car’s windshield, hood, and trunk, it multiplies charging power sixfold, significantly boosting range without needing a charging station or electrical socket.

Simple Name, Sophisticated Design

GoSun’s marketing team kept it simple with the name “EV Solar Charger,” but the design team put in considerable effort. The 70-lb (32-kg), 5-in-tall (12.7-cm) box, resembling a sleek rooftop cargo box, is equipped with 200 watts of solar panels on its surface.

Currently, GoSun’s charger box provides a capacity similar to a standard RV solar array—sufficient for charging a leisure battery while parked but insufficient for significantly charging a large lithium traction battery.

Optimal Performance When Parked

That’s perfectly fine, as the 200-W panel array does offer some minor charging while driving. The real benefit comes when parked. The driver opens the box and unfolds solar panels down the front and back of the vehicle, increasing the total output to 1,200 watts once the box is closed again. By plugging the 120-V output cable into the car’s charging port, it delivers Level 1 charging directly from the sun. GoSun states the panels can remain deployed in winds up to 30 mph (50 km/h), while the closed box is built to withstand highway speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h).

The EV Solar Charger box won’t replace an ultrafast charger, but GoSun estimates it can provide a daily range boost of up to 30 miles (50 km) in optimal conditions. Typically, it will add about 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 km) per day. These additional miles accumulate while the car is parked at work or home without other charging, so it’s still a valuable gain. If your daily commute falls within the 10- to 30-mile range, you might be able to meet your daily charging needs solely through solar power.

Practical Benefits Beyond Looks

The GoSun EV charger may not be the most visually appealing solution, with panels hanging around, but it offers an additional benefit by shading the windshield and rear window from the sun, helping to keep the interior cooler on hot days. This could also enhance efficiency slightly by reducing the need for air conditioning.

Cost and Potential Tax Benefits

While solar power is free, the EV Solar Charger system comes with a hefty initial cost. It’s available for preorder with an estimated retail price of $2,999. GoSun suggests it may qualify for a 30% US tax credit, likely through the federal government’s Residential Clean Energy Credit, which covers home solar and battery storage systems. This would require integration into your home energy system; more details are available from the IRS.

GoSun plans to start shipping preassembled EV Solar Chargers to buyers in 2025, with a quick 20-minute mounting process for end users. The system is designed to remain on full-time but can be easily removed if needed.

For a glimpse of what using a car-top solar blanket looks like, check out the promo below.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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