A Solar Power-Generating Tonneau Cover?

[Throck]

On board solar charging panels for utility vechicles! Think about all the surface area on 18 wheelers. Good by diesel fumes!



https://www.motortrend.com/news/worksport-terravis-solar-tonneau-cover-truck-bed-power-system/

Ontario, Canada-based Worksport, a seller of truck tonneau covers, has created a pretty cool way to generate power by utilizing a truck accessory many trucks already have and many buyers see as a necessity. Enter Worksport's TerraVis Solar Truck Bed Power System, an all-in-one solar truck bed system and folding tonneau cover. Once you see the TerraVis, you realize the big, flat top area practically begs to be fitted with solar panels that can go to work while the tonneau safeguards your cargo.

[lapfog_1]

1. yeah... I had that idea some 14 years ago

"Think about all the surface area on 18 wheelers. Good by diesel fumes!"

I even had a meeting with Gabby Giffords on the possibility of a federal grant to get the project started.

The power isn't enough to move the big rig... however, it is more than sufficient to run the refer trailer (for those that don't know big rigs, a refer is a refrigerator trailer, usually powered by a aux diesel A/C unit at the front of the trailer and using a "small" diesel tank under the trailer (so you can leave the trailer and contents "frozen" while the trailer is not connected).

The refer units started coming with an electrical connection (aka shore power) so you can turn off the diesel part while parked overnight at a truck stop.

My idea... cover the top of the trailer (about 530 sq ft) with solar panels and hang an inverter underneath... and possibly a Tesla wall battery. Run the A/C unit from the solar in prime time daylight, and try to have enough excess power to charge the LiON battery... and run the unit off battery at night... plus there was still the diesel generator in case this wasn't sufficient (thawing out a truckload of frozen vegetables is very costly).

I estimated that the solar panels, inverter, batteries, installation... would pay for itself in operation in about 2 years time. Finance would be key. I was going to set up an installation facility at a truck stop in AZ on I-10 (Sierra Vista exit). Hence the conversation with Congressperson Giffords. Unfortunately she was shot not too long after our brief conversation.

I think it would have been a success... especially if there were tax incentives to pay for the upgrade.

There were some worries about installing on top of the trailer (creating a taller unit, needing to find someone to do maintenance at many locations in the US, etc). However, those diesel powered A/C units actually use quite a bit of fuel so the financial incentive was there.