đ Project Ideas
Generating project ideas…
Summary
- Enables EV owners to add lightweight, adhesive solar film to their car roofs for supplemental charging, solving the inefficiency and installation complexity of current solar car solutions.
- Core value proposition: plugâandâplay solar upgrade that delivers up to 1âŻkW peak power with ULâlisted components and a simple DIY guide.
Details
| Key |
Value |
| Target Audience |
EV owners, DIY enthusiasts, fleet operators seeking lowâcost range extension |
| Core Feature |
Preâcut flexible perovskite/silicon solar film with adhesive backing, MC4 connectors, and a compact MPPT charge controller |
| Tech Stack |
Flexible solar film, PCB with MPPT IC, weatherâproof enclosure, MCU for optional telemetry (Bluetooth) |
| Difficulty |
Medium |
| Monetization |
Revenue-ready: kit sold at $199 per unit |
| #### Notes |
|
| - HN commenters noted the difficulty of DIY installation: âI don't know if it can be DIY, their website says manufacturers can integrate into their workflowsâ (thelastgallon) and desire for âsuperlight, plug and play or DIY install productsâ (thelastgallon). |
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| - Provides a practical utility by turning idle parking time into usable charge, reducing reliance on grid charging and addressing the frustration that solar film is currently cheaper to install as static panels. |
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Summary
- Provides a solarâdriven fan that runs while the vehicle is parked, keeping the cabin cool and preventing heatârelated risks for pets and children, addressing the safety concerns raised in the discussion.
- Core value proposition: zeroâgrid power cooling that activates automatically when sunlight is available, improving comfort and safety without draining the EV battery.
Details
| Key |
Value |
| Target Audience |
Car owners, pet owners, parents, rideâshare drivers concerned about cabin heat |
| Core Feature |
Thinâfilm solar panel integrated with a lowâpower DC fan, thermostatic temperature sensor, and automatic on/off control |
| Tech Stack |
Flexible amorphous silicon solar panel, PWM fan driver, microcontroller (e.g., ESP32âC3), temperature sensor, UVâstable housing |
| Difficulty |
Low |
| Monetization |
Hobby |
| #### Notes |
|
| - Users highlighted the safety angle: âRight, but for a fan, it would work. Cars heat up mostly in direct sunlight. The solar panel could be wired directly to a fan. This would also prevent heat death of dogs and forgotten children.â (thomasmg) |
|
| - The system offers tangible discussion value by demonstrating a lowâcost, immediate benefit of solar integration while waiting for higherâefficiency roof solutions to mature. |
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Summary
- Offers an aftermarket sprayâon transparent solar coating for car windows and windshields, turning glass surfaces into powerâgenerating arrays while maintaining visibility, fulfilling the interest in transparent solar expressed by commenters.
- Core value proposition: seamless energy harvesting from existing glass without compromising aesthetics or driver sightlines.
Details
| Key |
Value |
| Target Audience |
Automotive aftermarket shops, OEMs, luxury vehicle owners seeking ecoâfriendly upgrades |
| Core Feature |
Liquidâelectricity transparent solar coating applied via spray, cured to form a conductive, electricityâgenerating layer with >10âŻ% transparency |
| Tech Stack |
SolarWindowâs LiquidElectricity formulation, UVâcurable binder, spray application equipment, optional powerâmanagement electronics |
| Difficulty |
High |
| Monetization |
Revenue-ready: B2B licensing at $0.50 per watt generated, or perâvehicle service fee starting at $299 |
| #### Notes |
|
| - Commenters were curious about transparency: âTransparent? Curious, would installing a reflective backing improve its efficiency?â (LoganDark) and noted ongoing development: âLooks like they are also working on transparent. In development.â (thelastgallon) |
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| - Enables practical utility by utilizing otherwise idle glass area for energy, sparking discussion about integrating solar into vehicle design without adding weight or altering aerodynamics. |
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