Solar for Trucks

[smarttrucks]

Does anybody out there have information or need information about solar for trucks? I would like to start discussions on this.

[postmandav]

i would love to find out what sort of solar power panels are available for a truck. sometimes trying to keep the goodies going is a pain

[stocktonhauler]

cascadesierra has a number of solar products. The most promising is for owner operators who can put a thin film solar panel on the roof of their box trailer. Thin film photovoltaics are here, but they are fragile, so I'm told. Technology hasn't yet reached the point where the whole upper portion of the sleeper cab can be layered with an electricity producing surface that can take the same abuse the paint can. There are solar panels for RVs that can trickle charge a deep cycle battery array.

[smarttrucks]

Hey stocktonhauler...maybe we've met? I used to work for Cascade Sierra Solutions up until 2 weeks ago. I worked with the inventor of the solar panels for trucks. We are now associates. You can now get more information
Cascade is a failing business...don't expect them to be around much longer. Cheers!

[stocktonhauler]

Sorry to learn about CascadeSierra's problems, but actually when I talked to a salesman up there, he had just been hired. Your replacement? This is a difficult period of alternative energy, surprising as it may seem. Oil prices are low, and demand even lower. The sort of forward thinking enterprise depends upon deep pocketed investors, such as the government. At the moment, California is having an impossible time just paying teachers, firefighters, and police, much less the dreamsheet of environmental projects. But, the federal government does have in the stimulus monies low interest rate loans for trucker APUs and other such energy saving gadgetry. Borrowing is the one bright spot in the economy right now, borrowing for things the government wants done.

[M.Enterprises]

This is a great topic I will be watching. I'l contribute when I find out more info on this.

[M.Enterprises]

Has anyone created a wind turbine for trucks? Maby it charges a battery of some kind that can last long enough to prevent idling?

[kwray]

A wind turbine would probably produce more drag and noise than enough power to run heat or a/c overnight. Batteries need to get better first.

[Haole]

This looks interesting:
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

And this looks downright gross:
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

[M.Enterprises]

Originally Posted by kwray

A wind turbine would probably produce more drag and noise than enough power to run heat or a/c overnight. Batteries need to get better first.

Good point. I wonder if 50lbs of litium ion batteries would be enough to power an A/C or heater?