- Solar tonneau cover for Rivian generates up to 250 watts.
- Optional battery stores energy for tools or camping gear.
- Also offered for Ford, Chevy, GMC, and Dodge truck models.
If you drive a Rivian R1T and have been looking for a way to harvest solar energy while on the move, or even when the truck’s parked, there’s now an interesting option on the table. A US-based company has just launched a solar tonneau cover that might suit those aiming to get off the grid without cutting ties to modern convenience.
Developed by Worksport, the ‘SOLIS’ solar tonneau cover will be available from mid-January, offering up to 250 watts of on-board solar capacity. Importantly, you won’t have to immediately use any of the energy generated by the solar panels.
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Instead, the system includes a compact storage unit that charges in about four hours, storing energy gathered by the panels. That stored energy can then be used to run tools, lights, camping gear, or small electronics. What it won’t do, for now, at least, is recharge the R1T’s main battery.
In the future, though, Worksport hopes to work directly with OEMs like Rivian, potentially enabling its solar systems to feed energy straight into the vehicle’s main battery in future versions.
Solar Tonneau Covers For All
The cover is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and, according to Worksport, “provides exceptional strength and durability – without excess weight.” Interestingly, it’s not just the R1T that the company sells these solar tonneau covers for.
Worksport says its solar covers are compatible with dozens of pickups, including models as far back as 2002. Trucks from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Ram, and Toyota are all on the list, covering popular models like the Tundra, Frontier, and Sierra 1500.
Prices for the SOLIS cover vary depending on the size of the truck’s bed, generally ranging from $1,999 to $2,499. It’s not cheap, but considering what many of these owners already invest in their trucks, it’s unlikely to cause much sticker shock.
The Rivian R1T, with its comparatively smaller bed, comes in at the lower end at $1,999. Buyers who want the full package, including the inverter and battery, will need to budget another $949.
