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Integrating Portable Solar Panel Technology into the Tesla Model S

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Voltaic Systems Tesla Model S Center Console

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UPDATE: 8/19/14 – After three months of continuous everyday use, both in-car and outdoors (predominantly left on the patio), the Voltaic 10W portable solar system has managed to power a household of two iPhones and one iPad purely on solar energy, and become a welcomed new member of the family.
It took some getting used to at first considering the entire assembly is as tall as a high schoolers backpack and more cumbersome to lug around than some of the smaller portable solar devices that I had a chance to test (Solar Joos, Anker). But despite the larger size, the Voltaic solar panel was hands down the best performing, most reliable and had superior quality over the others. In fact, it’s changed my entire perspective on how useful solar energy can actually be to the point I felt dirty just plugging anything into a wall (as ironic as that may sound from an EV family).
The Voltaic System portable solar panel device is certainly not the cheapest and some will argue that the cost for portability far exceeds what you would be paying if using a standard wall outlet, and they are right.
But for some it goes beyond just a cost benefit analysis. If you’re that type, then this device is for you. All in all, it’s a superb device in every sense and has made me become quite reliant on it. It’s hard to imagine adjusting back to using outlets for my mobile and tablet devices when each day brings free energy from the sun.
Read the original review below.

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Elon Musk has long touted that solar energy will be the future of electric vehicles so why wasn’t it incorporated into the Tesla Model S?

A part of me still wonders why this never happened. Perhaps it was a way to offset the large costs associated with having an automotive-grade lithium ion battery pack capable of 260+ miles of range. Or was it due to the fact that roof-integrated solar cells à la now defunct Fisker is nothing more than a cool factor with no real cost benefit?

Either way, it got me thinking – how can I store some of the sun’s energy while embarking on a long distance Tesla road trip? Or better yet, store solar energy while the Model S is at rest during the work week? The energy recouped through the sun need not be channeled back into the car itself, but could still provide usable power for a mobile device or laptop.

This exact thought led us to find three leading makers of portable solar charging technology with the goal of being able to store solar energy implicitly through our Tesla Model S. We’ll be conducting a review of each product in a three part series. The first being Voltaic System‘s Fuse 10W Solar Laptop Charger.


Initial Impressions

Voltaic-Fuse-10w-Solar-Charger-10Voltaic’s 10W Fuse Solar Charger dominates in its presence. The three large solar panels encased within a beautiful gloss coated metal frame is a tell-tale indicator that this device can pack some serious charging capabilities. At first I was surprised to feel how heavy the entire unit was (3.6 lbs), only to later find out that the bulk of the weight was from the detachable high capacity lithium polymer battery that was stowed inside the zippered clam-shell casing.

Attached to the back of the Fuse Solar Charger unit was a set of straps and clips which, frankly, I had no idea how to use but was eager to learn.

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Voltaic Systems Battery Output

 


Technical Specifications

The Fuse is capable of generating 10 Watts of power through its three 3.4 Watt solar panels. Configurable voltage settings provide the flexibility to power your most basic low voltage mobile device and tablets, to laptops and digital cameras that can demand up to 18V.

Aside from the obvious good of using renewable solar energy, Voltaic Systems took it to a whole new level of being eco-conscious by mounting the solar panels to a durable and lightweight shell made from recycled plastic soda bottles, otherwise known as PET. The clam shell design allows it to be used as a storage container for the detachable 20,000 mAh, 72 Wh lithium polymer battery and a plethora of device adapters.

NOTE: Amazon’s description shows a 16,000 mAh although the one we received directly from Voltaic Systems contained a 20,000 mAh battery

Tablets and small notebooks can easily fit within the casing.

LEDs on the battery indicate the level of charge. Five lit LEDs represents a full 100% state of charge. The battery has a USB out as well as an attachment set that allows you to connect to virtually any type of device.

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Voltaic Systems Battery LED

Solar Panels

  • Solar panels are waterproof and abrasion resistant
  • Power: 10 Watts total peak output at 6 or 18 Volts

V72 Universal Laptop Battery

  • 20,000 mAh, 72 Wh battery capacity is one of the larger portable batteries I’ve seen. Capable of replenishing an iPhone ten times and an iPad twice on a single charge.
  • When not in the sun, the battery can also be charged through the included DC car or AC chargers, making it just as useful on the grid as off.
  • Charge Time: In direct sun, V72 battery fully charges in 14.5 hours from 10 Watts and in 9 hours from 16.8 Watts of solar panels.
  • Protection: Short Circuit, Over Charge, Over Discharge, Over Current, Over Temperature
  • Charge Display: LEDs light sequentially when charging.
  • Capacity Display: 1 light < 20%, 2 lights < 40%, 3 lights < 60%, 4 lights < 80% full, 5 lights > 95%

Solar Charging Tesla Center Console

The Voltaic Systems Fuse unit is far too large to be placed onto the dash of the Tesla Model S.

Instead I found a perfect home for the Fuse in the Tesla Model S center channel. Not only does it fit great within that location, it helped conceal any miscellaneous belongings that would normally be left out in the open without a Tesla Center Console unit.

Charging in direct sunlight will clearly achieve the best charging results, but nevertheless I wanted to see how much solar energy I can gather behind the UV protected glass of the Model S.

A red LED towards the top of the “Voltaic” insignia lights up as soon I placed the Fuse solar charger between the two front seats to indicate that solar energy is being collected. Bingo.

Placing the Fuse 10W Portable Solar Charger on the Model S center channel allows it to harnesses the power of the sun and store it for later use.

Even behind glass I was able to capture enough solar energy to charge a mobile phone. However, the most common use case for me was to leave the Fuse in the center channel of the Model S each day while I was at work. It’s always an exhilarating feeling to be able to come back to some additional energy at the end of each work day. The energy is stored within the detachable battery making it a useful battery extender for my notebook when I’m on the go or just as a battery backup.

Voltaic Systems Tesla Center ChannelVoltaic Systems LED Charge Indicator Voltaic Systems Upright Angle Voltaic Systems Tesla Center Console Voltaic Systems Tesla Center Console

 

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Summary

Voltaic System’s Fuse 10W Portable Laptop Charger is extremely durable and capable of the most rugged of outdoor adventures. Short of going on a camping excursion where access to electricity maybe limited, it’s hard to see the need to carry both laptop and Fuse device simultaneously, although the name of the product may suggest otherwise.

However if you’re looking for a world-class portable solar charging device that can mount to practically anything, blends naturally into the Tesla Model S, has a huge industry-leading 20,000 mAh battery capacity with adjustable voltage outputs, and don’t mind paying a premium $339 USD, then Voltaic System‘s portable solar charger just might be for you.

 

Lifestyle

Tesla Semi futuristic sci-fi acceleration sound will never get old

Videos that capture the Semi moving at speed are most notable due to their sheer cool factor.

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Credit: Tesla Owners Silicon Valley/X

The Tesla Semi is not yet in mass production, but the company has accumulated over 7.9 million miles across its test fleet. With Tesla using the Semi for its operations, it is no surprise that sightings of the Class 8 all-electric truck have been abounding. 

These sightings from Tesla enthusiasts vary, but those that capture the the Class 8 all-electric truck moving at speed are most notable, possibly due to their sheer cool factor.

Tesla Semi’s Roar

There is something that just stands out with the Semi, particularly on the road. While the Semi does not have the Cybertruck’s brutalist, angular design, it is still very striking because it’s such a massive machine that moves far too quietly for its size. This is, of course, one of the reasons why the vehicle also becomes extra noteworthy when it fires up its electric motors and accelerates.

Take this video from Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, for example, which shows the all-electric hauler accelerating while pulling what appears to be a full load. In these situations, the Tesla Semi actually becomes audible, but unlike traditional diesel-powered truck, the Class 8 all-electric truck “roars” with its own, unique futuristic, sci-fi sound. In such situations, one could feel the Semi’s raw power, which comes from its three independent motors on its rear axles.

Tesla Semi Ramp

Tesla has been promoting the Semi quite a bit as of late, and recent reports have suggested that the company is putting in a lot of effort to prepare the vehicle for its production in Nevada. Tesla’s Careers website has gone live with over 80 Semi-related job openings recently as well, and a recent report has suggested that Tesla has ramped the Semi’s factory workers in Nevada to over 1,000 employees.

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The company has even shared an update video of the Semi factory’s progress near Giga Nevada, as well as the design of the vehicle’s new logo. The Semi’s updated logo is quite interesting as it features elements from the Tesla Model 3’s first logo, which was unveiled way back in 2016.

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Elon Musk jokes he will join Mr Beast’s “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” challenge

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

Following the first quarter Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk seems to have become a bit more relaxed—relaxed enough to joke about fighting a gorilla with 99 other people, at least.

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again and not too busy picking fights with politicians on social media.

The Viral 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge

Over the weekend, a post on social media platform X went viral. The post itself was quite simple, with user @DreamChasnMike stating that he thinks 100 men could beat one gorilla. “Everybody just gotta be dedicated to the sh*t,” the X user joked. The post exploded on the platform, garnering 284 million impressions as of writing.

The silly question also triggered a massive debate about whether 100 men would really stand a chance against a literal gorilla. Some users even lamented that the premise was a sign of male hubris. Nevertheless, the question proved to be a fun topic on X, with some more dedicated users even posting simulated videos of what the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge” could look like. 

Mr. Beast and Elon Musk Join In

The premise is quite similar to other viral videos from noted YouTube creator Mr. Beast, so it was no surprise that edited images of Mr. Beast YouTube thumbnails with “100 Men vs a Gorilla” also started spreading on the social media platform. Mr. Beast, who tends to be game to such silly ideas, actually reposted the edited image, joking “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?”

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In true Elon Musk fashion, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that he would join the challenge. “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen” Musk wrote in his post on X. Musk’s reply triggered quite a few laughs on X, with some stating that the world probably still needs the CEO.

While silly, Musk’s comment and his recent, more frequent posts about his companies’ products like Starlink and Grok have been received well by his supporters. Over the past months, after all, Musk has been very political and quite confrontational on social media. With Musk soon taking a step back from the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) daily operations, however, it seems like X will soon get a more tempered and lighthearted Elon Musk once more.

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Possible first glimpse of Tesla “Model 2” affordable car in Fremont Factory

The models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

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Image Credit: @metgodinwilderness7130/YouTube

During the Q1 earnings call, Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy set expectations on the design of the affordable models that the company is expected to launch this 2025. As per the Tesla executive, the models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

Drone footage from the Fremont Factory earlier this month might have provided the EV community its first potential glimpse at Tesla’s affordable cars–fondly dubbed by EV fans and analysts as the “Model 2” or even “Model Q”–or at least their components and overall shape.

The Sighting

Tesla watcher and drone operator Met God in Wilderness, who has been posting aerial videos of the Fremont Factory for years now, recently shared some footage from his drone flyovers this month. While the Fremont Factory was abuzz with activity as usual, a couple of rather strange vehicles were quickly spotted by EV watchers on social media.

During the drone operator’s flyover on the 17th, for example, an unfinished vehicle could be seen parked next to what appeared to be fully-built Model S and Model Y units. What was especially interesting was the vehicle’s roof, which seemed to be slightly narrower than the Model Ys around it. Based on the video, at least, the vehicle seemed to be shaped like a crossover as well.

Footage from the 24th of April also proved quite interesting, with the drone operator capturing footage of another cryptic vehicle. Unlike the mysterious, unfinished, crossover-esque car spotted on the 17th, this particular unit seemed to have a more sloping rear, at least based on the shape of its covering.

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What Lars Moravy Said

In Tesla’s Q1 2025 Update Letter, Tesla noted that “plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.” Tesla also noted that the new vehicles will utilize aspects of its next generation and its current platforms. They will also be produced on the same manufacturing lines as its present vehicle lineup, likely the Model Y and Model 3. 

During the earnings call itself, Moravy specifically stated that the new models that would come out in the next months would resemble the company’s current vehicles. They will, however, be affordable. “Models that come out in next months will be built on our lines and will resemble, in form and shape, the cars we currently make. And the key is that they’ll be affordable, and you’ll be able to buy one,” Moravy stated.

Watch the drone operator’s footage from April 17 below.

The drone operator’s footage from April 24 can be viewed below.

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