R1T Solar Tonneau - Custom Build

[wildelaw]

I have a 2023 R1T without a tonneau cover and was looking for manual cover options. The cheapest I found was $1000 and didn't want to spend that much without thinking about better options.

I crated a wrapped 3 panel plywood option with steal L beams for sag-prevention, but I was thinking I could do better. After a bit of engineering and sourcing different materials, I'm trying to construct a 4 panel solution with solar cells built in. Honestly the most power I could squeeze out of that space is 270 watts with the 6"x6" cells I picket up, but it could charge a small portable 1Kw battery that would run a cooler. This would only save about 2-3 miles of range per day, but it's not the practicality of what I'm building – it is the fun of engineering/building something for cheaper than retail. (estimated at $500 of materials).

I'm keeping a blog updated with the progress up in GitHub https://wildelaw.github.io/r1t-solar-tonneau/

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[mkhuffman]

I am watching your progress! Let us know how it goes.

 

[a99ieJem]

I dig it! Are you going for a folded design or individual panels needing to connect the solar pigtails at each joint? I suspect a folded design would be quite heavy.

I like the github page. I've never seen anyone use that before.

 

[Rivianero]

Very cool DIY!

If it keeps the 12v batteries topped off, that will be a win.

 

[wildelaw]

I dig it! Are you going for a folded design or individual panels needing to connect the solar pigtails at each joint? I suspect a folded design would be quite heavy.

I like the github page. I've never seen anyone use that before.

I'm building them as all separate panels with the standard solar pigtails. This way it is easy to build replacements or use them as actual solar panels on my workshop-shed. I looked at several options for direct connects between panels, but I wanted the ability to have blank panels or specialty panels.

 

[wildelaw]

I just did the resin flood coat on the first tonneau solar panel. The most I can get of out each panel is only 72 watts which is up to 288 watts for the whole bed... but it is better than nothing and can power a small refrigerated cooler (avg. consumption of 45 watts per hour).

 

[Rade]

I've been contemplating a solar cover, as well. I am curious to watch your project come to fruition.

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