The startup Dartsolar has developed a prototype of a trunk with solar panels for electric cars with a maximum power of 2000 W. The system will be able to generate up to 10 kWh of electricity, which will allow the electric car to replenish its range by more than 60 km.
When unfolded, the solar panels absorb solar energy directly, while the 360-watt cells continue to work when folded, i.e. even while driving. The standard version allows for an additional 60 km of range. There is also a 1000-watt model, which increases the range by 30 km.
The solar panels redirect energy to the batteries, which is then transferred to the electric car via a standard charging cable, just like when plugged into a regular charging station. Some enthusiasts may choose to integrate the system directly into the car’s on-board network, eliminating the need to manually connect the cable each time they charge.
Dartsolar is mounted on the roof of electric vehicles. The main elements are ultra-thin solar panels with a thickness of 3 mm and an efficiency of 20%.
You can pre-order the 1000W solar panel version now. Solar panels start at $1,950 and vary by configuration.