A tonneau cover with photovoltaic cells built into the flat surface of the cover, which would charge auxiliary car batteries.

This could be used to power adjustable pneumatic or hydraulic suspension (like “low riders” have), or it could be used to power speakers for a “sound system”.

It would also have an electrical outlet which could be used for power tools or to recharge other batteries, or basically almost anything that can be plugged into your house.
-- BJS, Oct 26 2006

Googled "solar truck" http://images.googl...en&lr=&start=0&sa=N
[BJS, Oct 26 2006]

Solar panels mounted onto a tonneau cover http://www.campbellot.com/electric-s10/
of a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 converted to an electric vehicle. [BJS, Jan 30 2007]

This has probably been done before, but I would like a range of models to be in production (for different model trucks), that consumers would be able to buy.
-- BJS, Oct 26 2006


I haven't seen this as a tonneau cover but I have seen plenty of other solar options for cars, one went on the hood.
-- Chefboyrbored, Oct 26 2006


So obvious, but I never thought of it. All the componentry is readily available, including flexible solar arrays. (+)
-- elhigh, Oct 30 2006


Photo-voltaic top-up chargers are available; they're designed to sit on top of the dashboard, and plug into the cigarette-lighter socket.
-- angel, Jan 30 2007



random, halfbakery