Aptera-style solar panels in SUV option.

[cvollers]

Hi: It would seem impractical to think you might be able to "hard-wire" the DC solar output from a solar panel into the DC charging system of an EV. Perhaps someone could figure it out, but I suspect it is not simple. And might void your warranty.

Your idea of getting 12 Volt power is probably valid. As you can, fairly simply, apply the DC output of a small solar panel directly into the 12volt battery, with probably needed a charge controller to keep from over-charging (and cooking) the 12 volt battery.

But it would be nice if you could "collect" solar DC power to be used later.

I am wondering if a LFP home battery storage unit might be the reasonable intermediate between solar panels and the EV charger.
You can look in Amazon and find any number of "solar generators", with or without included solar panels. Jackery, Bluettie, etc. Link below.

Once you have charged up your "home generator" (LFP battery) then you can use the 120 volt AC output from the generator to power up your EV charger (EVSE or Mobile Connector).

Happy to hear other ideas. Thanks for keeping the discussion going.


https://www.amazon.com/s?k=solar+generators+for+home+use&crid=Z3ST2YT8S6CT&sprefix=Solar+generator,aps,128&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_5_15

Interesting. I think you would need a fairly large generator (I call them power stations and have owned two, still own one) to charge the 50-85kWh EV battery. It will get depleted pretty fast especially since their internal inverters deplete their LFP batteries faster than DC loads will.

 

[Letas]

Slate uses NMC, not lithium.

NMC is lithium…

 

[cvollers]

NMC is lithium…

I stand corrected. NMC = Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO₂)

 

[Letas]

I stand corrected. NMC = Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO₂)

The nomenclature is goofy. Lithium batteries also can refer to primaries (non rechargeable). Lithium-ion is the “proper” term for rechargeable EV batteries, but often gets substituted.
NMC/LFP is referring to the cathode material.

 

[cvollers]

The nomenclature is goofy. Lithium batteries also can refer to primaries (non rechargeable). Lithium-ion is the “proper” term for rechargeable EV batteries, but often gets substituted.
NMC/LFP is referring to the cathode material.

I’m intrigued by the new Sodium-Ion battery tech and hopeful that it will reduce our dependency on lithium.

 

[zipn]

I think it’s not worth the money. Maybe you’ll get 1 or 2 kw max under ideally sunny noon time conditions, and even then the car will be lucky to go 1 mile on 4kWh, so at best, you might gain 1 mile every 2 hours, not counting all the inefficiencies in the electronics. Many Fixed solar panels on a garage roof and temporary storage battery is I think a better way to go.

 

[sodamo]

I think it’s not worth the money. Maybe you’ll get 1 or 2 kw max under ideally sunny noon time conditions, and even then the car will be lucky to go 1 mile on 4kWh, so at best, you might gain 1 mile every 2 hours, not counting all the inefficiencies in the electronics. Many Fixed solar panels on a garage roof and temporary storage battery is I think a better way to go.

Currently have 64 PV, 18.4kw so likely enough for home charging. I do hope that over the next year or so a cost effect DC to DC method becomes available so I can bypass my LiFePo batteries (57 kwh). Living totally off grid, the charging thing has been my greatest concern re EV.

While the concept of solar generator is intriguing, i don’t see as cost effective at this time. Who knows what the future will bring.