- This is the world’s first solar load cover designed specifically for the Rivian R1T electric truck.
- The battery, made by New York-based Worksport, can send power to an external battery pack that can be fully charged in four hours.
- An LFP external battery can power tools, appliances or camping equipment.
A New York company called Worksport is now taking orders for a solar cover specifically designed for Rivian R1T Electric mini truck. Dubbed Solis, the steel box contains three individual panels that can produce a maximum power output of 250 watts in ideal conditions.
Designed and manufactured in the USA, the power-producing back cover is great, but it can’t do much on its own. That’s why the manufacturer also offers an external battery that can store all the electricity produced by the solar panels. The storage system, which includes an inverter, packs 1 kilowatt-hour of energy thanks to a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
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Source: Worksport
According to Worksport, an R1T-sized solar panel can fill the battery in about four hours, but customers can spend more to increase the external battery’s capacity. With a full battery, owners can then power tools, appliances, or camping gear through multiple household outlets and USB ports.
It was the system Originally announced last yearbut the specifications of the products have been reduced slightly since then. The solar panels were initially supposed to produce a maximum of 650 watts, and the basic battery pack was rated at 1.5 kWh. However, Worksport sells variations of its solar tonneau cover to cover additional trucks such as the Ford F-150, Jeep Gladiator, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra.
As a result, the price varies depending on the size of the bed. Because it’s on the smaller side, the Solar Tonneau Solis for Rivian R1T It starts at $1,999, with an additional $949 needed for the external battery and inverter. Meanwhile, owners of larger trucks can expect to pay up to $2,499 for a ton of solar power alone.
It’s a great idea, and can come in handy when camping for long periods of time away from civilization. However, it is worth remembering this The Rivian R1T has its own power export systemWhich can route power from the high-voltage battery to multiple 120-volt outlets. But if there are no electric vehicle chargers nearby, any extra power can be a lifesaver.
