Solar tonneau cover !

[ZeusDriver]

What would you have wanted to see in the podcast that would have made it more useful? More technical details and specs? Always trying to make it better for sure.

The script could be this: "Hi, I came across this solar panel truck bed cover that seems to be pretty well-engineered. It claims to be about 600 Watts, which seems reasonable. That could translate into about 2 kWh per day of useful storage in a device like the various solar chargers on the market, or their own version. Here's their website ____________. Take a look. " That's 15 seconds, and that I would have watched in its entirety. I don't have the time to watch a bunch of guys bloviate, especially when it gets into their questionable selection of 3 series aluminum alloy, etc, etc.

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[Cbowe]

That’s not really the format for a Podcast, they are going to be hour long episodes, but I hear maybe post a more succinct short which is under a minute not the entire podcast for something like this. Appreciate the insight

 

[Rayden]

That’s not really the format for a Podcast, they are going to be hour long episodes, but I hear maybe post a more succinct short which is under a minute not the entire podcast for something like this. Appreciate the insight

Man, tough crowd in here!

Back when I was first looking into the Lightning, I watched several of your videos and found them very helpful. So, thank you and keep on!

 

[Cbowe]

Man, tough crowd in here!

Back when I was first looking into the Lightning, I watched several of your videos and found them very helpful. So, thank you and keep on!

I appreciate it man! I enjoy sharing the experiences for sure! I’m certainly good with disagreements and discussions on how effective it will be for the initial cost but I also realized one person has been posting since July of 24 apparently that this product was a scam and vapor ware so once I saw that thread I realized what I was dealing with and things made more sense. I guess I admire someone being all in and so passionately wrong. He will still be yelling “lies” as it’s on the back of trucks next quarter I’m sure. haha.

 

[mam0032]

Clickbait junk. They did not magically create some new solar technology that the rest of the world doesn't know about. Solar panels on a tonneau cover are a glorified cell phone charger. The scale of solar power required to provide meaningful power to the vehicle battery would require you to tow a house behind you.

I'm beta testing one now, it's real.

 

[mam0032]

Today on the Turn Down for Watt Podcast, we talk with Steven Rossi, CEO of Worksport about their new Solis + COR platform, which brings real, usable solar power to your truck. This isn’t hype, it’s real engineering, manufacturing, and innovation happening here in the USA, creating new capabilities for Ford

I really admire how you don't let people ruffle your feathers. Good job man.

 

[Cbowe]

I'm beta testing one now, it's real.

Solid “vaporware” you have there super cool you’re getting to test it out !

 

[Cbowe]

I really admire how you don't let people ruffle your feathers. Good job man.

Thanks for the support. I try to be honest and transparent and hopefully most people see that.

 

[PJnc284]

Stick a trickle charger on it to keep the 12v topped because lord knows those things can use all the help they can get.

 

[chriserx]

I'm beta testing one now, it's real.

And? What is the output and location?

 

[Zprime29]

Looks like enough to easily power a 12v fridge and top up a small battery. Sure, it's a "rich man's toy" at the moment. But I mean, we also things like the $125k-$250k Lightship trailer (electric drive assist camping trailer you can DCFC). So $2000 for a tonneau with solar doesn't seem wildly off the rail. I'm not interested in buying one but I think it's neat and will read up on the stats once beta testing is done.

 

[djryan13]

I really like the idea of a panel and this price doesn’t sound too unreasonable as the covers are about half that price anyway.
With most solar installs, ROI isn’t really there but sometimes you buy for the cool factor. I would buy at $1500 price point. Not over 2k.

 

[hturnerfamily]

I think many of us like to 'prove things out', basically saying and proving that they CAN be done... yes, that's built into some of our DNA.. been there and done that.

I think some of us also want to justify the VALUE of the proposition, as it relates to usability, practicality, affordability, and long-term value, for the investment... we really WANT it to work, financially... even if it doesn't.

Some of us can 'spin' anything, from a marketing point of view, into a Positive. Everything is positive, no matter how much of a negative it really is. I see that everyday on TV ads.

and, some of us will just be, well, wet blankets. I get it. I feel that way on some days. Other days, I might just be in a happier mind set.

Proving that something works, or can work, is part of the journey. Some will always be naysayers. I have driven my LIGHTNING PRO SR for over 64,000 miles, and yet, some of my kin find it somehow always to be the brunt of jokes, because, as they say, "it just can't be", "it won't last", "just wait", "how much is one of those batteries?", "when you gonna have to replace that expensive battery?", "let me know when you need a REAL truck".... I must be just making it all up. Oh well.

 

[Athrun88]

Comes back to my preferred use case for something like this. Have it hooked up to a Anker Solix or Jackery battery/power generator and charge while on the go. When you need it, camping or some other event, you have 5kw of juice available to power things separate from PPOB. At the very core, I think this is more of a "it can be done" but maybe not what most people are looking for, i.e. range extender. The latter won't happen unless PV efficiency increases a huge amount from current levels. I personally like the idea and it does fill a very niche use-case at the moment.

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