GoSun, a company dedicated to solar energy applications, has recently launched a groundbreaking product – a solar charging box for electric vehicles. This product can not only charge electric vehicles while driving but also unfold when parked, covering the entire roof of the vehicle, significantly improving charging efficiency.
The charging box resembles an ordinary roof luggage box in appearance, weighing approximately 32 kilograms and measuring just 12.7 centimeters in height. Equipped with a 200-watt solar panel on its top, it provides limited charging capabilities, comparable to the solar panel levels found on ordinary RVs.
However, the true highlight of this product lies in its unfoldable design. When parked, the charging box can be unfolded to cover the front and rear windshields of the vehicle, increasing the total output power to 1200 watts. By connecting to the vehicle’s charging port, it can directly harness solar energy for charging. GoSun claims that the product can remain unfolded under wind conditions of up to 50 km/h, while the closed charging box can withstand speeds of up to 160 km/h.
Although it cannot replace high-speed charging stations, this charging box can potentially add around 50 kilometers of driving range per day under ideal conditions. In real-world scenarios, the average daily increase ranges from 16 to 32 kilometers. Despite the limited range increase, the convenience of requiring no extra operation during the charging process and the ability to charge during parking time still makes it practical. For users with daily commuting distances of 16 to 50 kilometers, it is entirely possible to meet daily charging needs solely through solar energy.
In addition to its charging capabilities, the product also provides shading for the vehicle, reducing the interior temperature and further enhancing the vehicle’s energy efficiency.
However, the price of this charging box is quite steep, with a current pre-sale price of $2,999 (approximately 21,566 RMB). GoSun indicates that the product may qualify for the US federal tax credit for residential clean energy, but it would need to be integrated into a home energy system.
GoSun plans to start shipping pre-assembled charging boxes in 2025, which can be installed by users in just 20 minutes. The company notes that the product is designed for long-term installation but can also be easily removed when necessary.
