Aptera-style solar panels in SUV option.

[Paul Rodgers]

Yes, that solar-controller that can connect to PV panels in the 60-100v range, and manage the slate's monster LI battery at about 400v.

Once again, not huge power, about a kilowatt, just high voltage, so skinny wires, small terminals, double-insulation everywhere, and very careful installation.

In theory this should not really be very expensive, will not give you much extra range, but for me 20 miles/day would be wonderful. It would also appeal to all those apartment-dwellers who dont have easy access to even Level-1 charging, but do have a parking spot in the sun, or the Walmart parking lot next door?

 

[cadblu]

Yes, that solar-controller that can connect to PV panels in the 60-100v range, and manage the slate's monster LI battery at about 400v.

Once again, not huge power, about a kilowatt, just high voltage, so skinny wires, small terminals, double-insulation everywhere, and very careful installation.

In theory this should not really be very expensive, will not give you much extra range, but for me 20 miles/day would be wonderful. It would also appeal to all those apartment-dwellers who dont have easy access to even Level-1 charging, but do have a parking spot in the sun, or the Walmart parking lot next door?

Slate is not using lithium ion batteries, they are NMC.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

NMC is lithium-ion sir, exactly the same as Tesla use, the "NMC" is the acronym for Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt, the nasty expensive stuff thats only a few percent of the battery by weight. The immediate alternative is Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4) which has a lower fire risk, is cheaper, runs at a very slightly lower voltage for each cell, and for the same capacity is quite a bit heavier.

There are a lot of other contenders out there but none really ready for prime-time just yet.
However, Slate has chosen a design with a separate battery pack, rather than integrate it into the vehicle chassis, so I forsee a nice possibility of them switching to a totally different tech as soon as it gets real.

 

[AZFox]

I could see a solar panel bed cover for the slate.

Good idea.

Maybe the energy from a solar tonneau could somehow be used to run the battery's cooling system.

 

[cadblu]

NMC is lithium-ion sir, exactly the same as Tesla use, the "NMC" is the acronym for Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt, the nasty expensive stuff thats only a few percent of the battery by weight. The immediate alternative is Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePO4) which has a lower fire risk, is cheaper, runs at a very slightly lower voltage for each cell, and for the same capacity is quite a bit heavier.

There are a lot of other contenders out there but none really ready for prime-time just yet.
However, Slate has chosen a design with a separate battery pack, rather than integrate it into the vehicle chassis, so I forsee a nice possibility of them switching to a totally different tech as soon as it gets real.

I apologize I misinterpreted your acronym for ‘LI‘ as lithium iron Instead of Lithium Ion. I studied chemistry many years ago but still recall the symbol for iron is Fe. Thanks for setting me straight!

 

[EverythingSlate]

Good idea.

Maybe the energy from a solar tonneau could somehow be used to run the battery's cooling system.

exactly 👍

 

[B1050]

In most cases the slate will not be parked at home during the middle of the day. So a home system cannot charge it.
You'll need batteries, a LOT of them, and thats the bulk of the soar expense.
You are limited by the amount of exposure you have, especially to south and west.

A carport, 25ft long, 12ft wide is about 300 sq ft, realistically that'll give you 3-4 kW for about 6 hours/day, so half-a-packs worth of charge, less in bad weather or in the north.

Bottom line: you'll need a 2-car garage, and another battery pack same size as the one in your slate to get a real-world home charging system that can support 100+ miles range.

Me? I'll go small, look for 20-30 miles/day at most

Even if you are at work (not able to charge) when the sun is out and your solar panels are doing their thing. The electric company will give you credit for the electricity you are providing to the grid. Then that night (after the sun goes down), you can plug in your car and use your free electricity credits. So no batteries needed other than the one in your slate.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Maybe in some parts of the country, but not everywhere.
And that will not last much longer, because the electric company does not want your power in the middle of the day. They want it early morning, when sun is barely up, and afternoon-to-evening, when sun is setting.
Its called the "Duck Curve", look it up.

So what will happen eventually is they will want you to have batteries, so that you charge them up during the day, and power company pays you for the wattage they take out in the evening.

But it'll be a long time coming, mostly because batteries are expensive.

 

[AZFox]

So what will happen eventually is they will want you to have batteries, so that you charge them up during the day, and power company pays you for the wattage they take out in the evening.

Who knew de-centralized electron storage was even a thing? Thanks for posting.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

well, I dont think its a thing yet, but its still a great idea.
Only problem will be convincing the power company to change to a thing where they pay you, rather than you pay them.

I have a solar setup at my campsite, totally off-grid, about 3kW of solar and 15kwH of battery.
Runs fridge, lights, fans, small AC, microwave, stove etc.
If its heavy overcast for 3-4 days I need the generator to top up in the evening.

There is a power pole right across the street.
Florida-Power-and-Darkness want $7500 to connect me,
I think thats mostly the cost of a new pole, transformer and meter.
Then a monthly bill over $100 even if I dont use it.

SO I'll just hang in there burning sunlight.

 

[AZFox]

Our power company was charging a monthly "grid access charge" for a while. The stated purpose was "to recover costs to serve residential solar customers who generate their own electricity".

They have lobbyists.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Yes, and I see their point.
You try buying a Pole (and putting it in without cheap labor), buying a transformer, wiring in a meter, then looking at it every month, and send out a bill?
They are a business, not a social welfare program.
Someone has to pay for all that, and the only reasonable choice is me!

BUT
once its all installed, that "read the meter and send the bill" part is pennies per month, not dollars.

SO I'd pay the $7500 up front, if the monthly bill for NOT using any power was around $10-20
OR? I pay the $100/month, but they cover the install and maintenance.
Either way seems fair to me.

Meantime? my total investment, panels, mounts, wiring, inverters, and BATTERIES, is now about $6000. 3 years in. Most of that is batteries, 2 sets.
The first Lead set lasted 2-1/2 years, cost about $2000.

lets see how long the current LiFePO4 set last.
They went in late last year, cost about $2500 Oct 2024.
I can get same ones for under $1600 now, their factory is going gangbusters!
time will tell

BE WARNED
This is a campsite, not a house,
no washer/dryer, tiny microwave, cookout on the weber
But I do like my swamp.

 

[sodamo]

I’d be quite surprised to see power companies voluntarily paying customers for excess powerhher than maybe a token amount. The model has been credits, use or lose. Doubt there would be incentive to change unless forced.

 

[sodamo]

Similar story for us just much larger numbers 20 years ago. 1st set of batteries very good Lead acid. Decent longevity. 2nd set Obama era salt water batteries, company went bankrupt about month after I bought, batteries lasted about 2 years, a costly experience. 3rd set my LiFePOs will be 6 years old come November. Absolutely love them, no maintenance, just visit to tell them good job. Looking for how to charge my Slate with little to no battery impact.