Solar Powered Electric Bike: First ride and checking how well it charges

Solar charging an e-bike using a 100w solar panel and a step up converter. On average yields between .3-.5 amps,

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[alanosauras]

Very cool. Even the small shadow from the seat is killing your panel output though. Test it with the seat off and see. I'd move the panel back a bit.

[ChatGPT]

You should mount another to the front since you’re already wide. Just be sure to use an MPPT Charge Controller which allows one of the panels to be shaded without sacrificing power.

[terrywright]

It'll be a little better in the summer with the sun higher in the sky.
New subber here - appreciate your content Johnny.🍻

[rdkuless]

johnny.. currious about the specs.. Battery: Volts..? AH..? Solar boost/charge controller..? Solar panel: watts, amps, efficiency rating..? All these things play into the range..

[Jonni]

You should build a bracket that would pivot with and adjustable angle so it would always get the best most direct sun.

[markweron]

Good info. I've been thinking about building a lightweight trailer with panel top and battery pack(s).

[mikekearsley]

Absolutely fantastic, keep these Ebike solar panel vids coming. Thanks from Seattle

[davestennes]

I just bought Sunpower cells - the Sunpower cells are flexible and don't break (at least not easily) - I'm going for a lightweight foldout DIY panel 24-volt 250 watt that I can take on the road. Future may include upgrading panel to recharge a 36- or 48-volt ebike.

[jfjoubertquebec]

OK this IS cool. I can imagine doing some summer weekend trips (smaller battery and extend the range!?) maybe camping??
Foldable solar panels? Flexible? That could be part of your back packs? Great stuff!

[bloodypommelstudios]

I've been considering making something like this, just trying to come up with the best compromise between compactness, power generation and keeping drag/weight down for performance since I don't have the cash to keep iterating designs.

How does much does the addition of this panel impact acceleration, handling and top speed?


My gut feeling is that for regular ebikes you'll need some really cleaver design to make solar panels worth it but for cargo bikes etc where they're heavy and have huge surface area already it seems like a no-brainer.

[paulmagnuson]

Mega-judgement alert! Very cool setup IMHO.

[jaycarneygiants]

So its safe to charge your 48 volt lithium battery while discharging them as well?

[whitneypl]

"Out here doin science in the snow!" haha

[irishrover]

It Vorks!! You still have a lot of snow in Utah, still cold here, but not that bad. Non judgemental is the way to go. 👍

[stiruptheheat]

Pretty awesome. Personally I would install it onto a trailer behind the bike. Also more shadow your casting on your solar panel you lose all the performance.

[jerrypayne]

I''d get a folding panel and let it hanging down on both sides of the rack. Oh and make it a Mono panel. that way it will slow charge in the shade.

[tayloranderson]

This is awesome, definitely the future. So can it charge and discharge at the same time?

[michaelsprinzeles]

That is pretty awesome! As close to a perpetual motion machine as I've seen. To avoid blocking the sun while riding long trips wouldn't mounting the solar panel to a trailer help?
Ride on & enjoy;)

[bushcraftjoe]

What set up are using? I have the 36v 13ah system with 500 w hub motor for the bike and pulling the burly nomad trailer so mileage is cut in half. Solar ontop the rack of the trailer would great

[murdercom]

It would be dope to put the panel on a arm so its above your head and add a sun tracking gimble to it