Portable solar panels to charge your car?

Typical solar panels are set up for 12V DC output. You would need an inverter to convert that to at least 115VAC to charge a Prime. That's one problem.
Then there's the power problem. An optimally set up solar panel (portable) would output about 40W. To noticeably charge the Prime you need about 800W, maybe more. At 115V and that 800W it takes 5-8 hrs to fully charge a depleted Prime.

I don't think what you want to do is practical.

 

The world’s smartest solar solution | smartflower

 

That is NOT a "portable" solar device!

 

looks "portable" edit: It folds away in bad weather

 

nope. you can't plug your car into anything, except a standard 120/240 outlet.

 

"Someday, over the rainbow... solar panels fly... but why can't, they charge my Prius, why oh why, I cry?!" (Forgive me Judy!)

.
Sorry Mr. PrimeCat, no battery storage yet, 1200 lb unit needs crane and special crew to install, and no cost figures offered. They're in Boston area, too far for me. Requires maintenance of system, lubrication, etc. by certified tech every 2 years. Sounds like theoretically cool concept, but to me sounds, "Too new to rate". Any system to charge my Prime would have to include some sort of power storage system which this system doesn't yet offer. Requires minimum 16ft of clearance. I'd want a system that doesn't mandate grid connection, so if grid power is lost due to earthquake, etc. I would still have solar power. Good luck with that one, currently!!

 

The world’s smartest solar solution | smartflower can run three air conditioners at once.

Energy output
Nominal output
2.50kWp*

Annual output
3,800-6,200kWh/a**

Self consumption
~<100 kWh/year

 

A fully integrated, plug-and-play solar solution with a simple installation. smartflower is as easy to pack up as it is to set up, so you can take it anywhere.

 

How much?

 

waiting for an answer back, will update when I know more

 

If this is that important, then one should purchase a vehicle that meets those needs (volt, BEV, etc). Once one experiences driving on pure electricity, it's a powerful drug!

 

Someone has done this by placing a flexible solar panels on the roof, combined with batteries and inverter in the car. He did not modify the car itself to protect the warranty but was a set up to plug the car while being parked from his set up. I just cannot remember which thread it was posted at...

He had the parts he used posted.

 

It was posted by Chris Jones at the thread "Estimated miles/best actual miles on EV charge." Very inspiring!

 

There was a Plus model that had batteries.

Or wait for the solar roof option to arrive to the US.

 

It also weights ~1500 pounds, more than twice the rated load capacity of the Prime. So the Prime isn't taking it anywhere.

And since I can't wrestle 1500 pounds in or out of my dad's F250 pickups, I'm also not taking it anywhere without a crew or lift.

No price either. I bet that it will be cheaper to simply add more capacity to my home rooftop solar system.

 

I would like to see a variation of the solar roof option for Prime, where you plug-in from external (home roof solar) instead of having the solar panel on the car roof.

In any case, Prime is really designed as a solar vehicle, even though we do not get that option in USA. But we do get the chassis designed for that purpose, which is probably part of the reason the HV battery is stuck in the trunk and not hidden away more.

I'd be curious to hear how the Prime and solar Prime sales are doing in Japan

 

prime is doing so well, they cut u.s. shipments. no idea on solar roof.

 

We need a Prime factory built here in Southern California now!! Everybody wins!!

.

 

i'm on board, maybe by the time it's up and operating, they'll have figured out how to tuck the battery beneath the deck.