California tech company Dart Solar has introduced the world's first rooftop solar panel system for electric vehicles, designed to charge cars while they are driving and eliminate long waits at charging stations.
The innovation, reported by automotive outlet Supercar Blondie, allows drivers to replenish their battery supply on the move without needing to pull over at a plug-in charge point. The roof system can be deployed or folded away in approximately 10 seconds, expanding to a full length of about 4.5 metres when open and contracting down to just 1.5 metres when closed.
Dart Solar stated that the unit attaches to any standard vehicle roof rack system, making it compatible with both electric cars and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Roof racks are widely used across the automotive industry to carry luggage boxes, bicycles, and outdoor gear.
Modular design and power generation
Supercar Blondie noted that the solar array consists of modular blocks that connect together in a similar fashion to Lego building bricks. Depending on the size of the vehicle roof, drivers can configure the units to produce power outputs ranging from 500 to 2,000 watts.
Electricity generated by the panels feeds directly into a combiner box mounted on the system T-slots, a common mounting channel standard used in car accessories. The combiner continuously charges an independent portable power station, into which the standard electric vehicle charging cable is plugged.
According to Dart Solar, a 500-watt solar module can produce between 2,000 and 2,500 watt-hours of power per day. This energy generation adds roughly 32 kilometres, or about 20 miles, of driving range daily, which the company said is sufficient to allow drivers to reach home without stopping for a recharge.
Hidden safety features in Tesla vehicles
In a separate update on electric car technology, YouTube creator Everyday Chris highlighted a series of hidden functions in Tesla electric vehicles that many drivers may have overlooked.
The blogger explained that Tesla models feature a safety locking mechanism designed to delay door opening if sensors detect an approaching vehicle or cyclist from behind. The cars also include blind-spot indicator illumination to help prevent side collision accidents during lane changes.
Everyday Chris added that Tesla vehicles automatically shift into park mode if the driver unbuckles their seatbelt while the car is stopped. Drivers can also instantly access live feeds from the vehicle external cameras using a shortcut button located directly on the steering wheel.
