The concept of outfitting Tesla’s Cybertruck with solar panels isn’t a fresh idea. Elon Musk had previously talked about adding these panels to the retractable cover of the truck bed, which could potentially extend the vehicle’s range by 15 miles daily, but those plans never came to fruition.
Sunflare Solar’s Innovation
Recently, Sunflare Solar has successfully wrapped a Cybertruck with its lightweight CIGS solar cells. These flexible panels are said to be capable of producing up to 1.5 kW of power, which would be stored in a battery/inverter unit that comes with the setup. However, while this sounds thrilling, the actual contribution to the vehicle’s range might not be as significant as it appears.
Design and Functionality
In a video showcased at CES 2025, we see the solar wrap, which is made from a somewhat thick yet flexible vinyl material that features a digital-camo design for visual appeal. The battery inverter, which takes up quite a bit of space, resembles a large suitcase and is placed in the back bed of the Cybertruck.
The body of the Cybertruck consists mainly of expansive flat surfaces, and Sunflare’s wrap covers nearly all of them, including the doors and bumpers. However, many of these panels tilt downward, meaning the energy harvested from them would be minimal. As we know, for solar panels to perform optimally, they must face the sun directly. Yet, the most advantageous area for solar panels—the roof—is hardly utilized, aside from the small ‘frunk’ cover. Some forum users have pointed out that even under ideal conditions, the claimed 1.5 kW output would necessitate a much larger surface area than what’s available. Other estimates suggest that the solar film could add between 12 to 18 miles of range each day, but this assumes perfect conditions.
Pricing and Alternatives
The solar wrap is priced at $10,000, including installation, and comes with a 15-year warranty, which should help ease any worries about its longevity. Considering that a full paint protection film (PPF) wrap for the Cybertruck costs over $5,000, some people might see this as a good deal. However, the substantial space taken up by the battery inverter is another factor to think about.
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