Summary
- GoSun has developed unique products that utilize solar power, starting from solar hot dog cookers to solarized camping trailers and tiny homes
- The newest product from GoSun, the EV Solar Charger, allows for off-grid charging of electric vehicles while on the move or parked
- The EV Solar Charger utilizes 200 watts of solar panels that can be unfolded down the car’s windshield, hood, and trunk to provide an in-field range boost
- The system offers about 30 miles of range boost per day in the right conditions and is designed to stay deployed in winds up to 30 mph
- The EV Solar Charger is available for preorder at $2,999 and may be eligible for a US tax credit, requiring a quick 20-minute mounting process for end users.
Article
GoSun, known for its innovative solar-powered products, has recently unveiled its latest creation – the EV Solar Charger. This revolutionary product is designed to provide an off-grid means of charging electric vehicles, both on the move and when parked. By unfurling solar panels down the car’s windshield, hood, and trunk, the system multiplies charging power sixfold, offering a discernible range boost without the need for a charging station or electrical socket. The 70-lb box sits atop the vehicle like a rooftop cargo box, with its roof covered in 200 watts of solar panels.
While the current capacity of the EV Solar Charger may not be enough to fully charge a large lithium traction battery, it does offer enough power to charge a leisure battery while parked. When parked, the driver can unfold a scroll-like array of solar panels, increasing the total available output to 1,200 watts. This setup allows for Level 1 charging directly from the sun, providing a daily range boost of up to 30 miles in ideal conditions. The system is designed to withstand winds up to 30 mph and highway speeds up to 100 mph.
Although the EV Solar Charger may not be the most aesthetically pleasing solution, it offers practical benefits such as shading the vehicle’s windshield and rear window from the sun, keeping the interior cooler. This could lead to increased efficiency and reduced reliance on air conditioning. The system is also compact and keeps the solar panels within the vehicle’s footprint, making it suitable for standard parking spaces. In addition to electric vehicles, the expandable rooftop solar box could be useful for RVers and other users.
While the solar power provided by the EV Solar Charger is free, the system comes with a significant upfront cost. Currently available for preorder, GoSun estimates the retail price at $2,999. The system may also be eligible for a 30% US tax credit, similar to other residential clean energy systems. GoSun plans to begin shipping preassembled EV Solar Chargers to buyers in 2025, requiring only a quick 20-minute mounting process for end users. The system is designed to be permanently installed but can be removed easily if needed. Overall, the EV Solar Charger offers a convenient and sustainable way to charge electric vehicles using the sun’s energy.
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