Los Angeles-based DartSolar has unveiled an expandable solar roof rack for electric vehicles, extending range without the need to plug in a charger, the company said.
The roof rack adds 360W of solar power when stowed for driving and can be expanded to 1000W in a 1kW deployed setup. The inconspicuous sun rack can expand in 15 seconds.
DartSolar said its roof rack has been tested for use with several EV models. The panels connect to a rear power supply unit that converts solar energy into 120V AC power that can be used by the vehicle.
The company said the rack is designed with lightweight, custom-made solar panels that are one-eighth of an inch thick. It supports a DIY approach for owners and provides an open blueprint, repair instructions and 3D printable parts for repairs. The roof rack can also be adjusted to carry up to 50 pounds and functions as a conventional vehicle roof rack.
The device currently costs $2,950. DartSolar said the 10-year product has an expected payback period of two years and a fivefold return on investment.
DartSolar was founded in 2024, with three years of research supporting the development of the roof rack.
The company said it is currently exploring tandem solar cell technology to further boost production in future models.
“With advances in tandem solar cell technology by companies like Kaneka Corp. and Oxford PV, DartSolar is currently designing a 3,000-watt solar roof rack that can deliver 30 to 60 kilometers of charge per day,” DartSolar said.
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