I think a great halfway solution is a carport with real PV panels up top, and some kind of inverter/storage beneath it just for the car. Granted, you’ll still spend a lot, but some of this is energy independence and hobby, it’s not just dollars and cents.
Need a decent about of PV and storage to capture during the day what you’ll need to replenish at night.
Admittedly, and not to be pessimistic, but the PV car cover is a practical disaster. And yes, I’ve hung 3 panels on an RV, have 2 on the cab of my truck, and was published years ago for a small DIY home system. Panels just don’t grab that much power, and they need to be perpendicular to the sun, and they need to be cool, and indirect or reflected light just doesn’t do much, and flexible panels aren’t as good as rigid ones. Seeing that, I’d rather rig the carport!
Need a decent about of PV and storage to capture during the day what you’ll need to replenish at night.
Admittedly, and not to be pessimistic, but the PV car cover is a practical disaster. And yes, I’ve hung 3 panels on an RV, have 2 on the cab of my truck, and was published years ago for a small DIY home system. Panels just don’t grab that much power, and they need to be perpendicular to the sun, and they need to be cool, and indirect or reflected light just doesn’t do much, and flexible panels aren’t as good as rigid ones. Seeing that, I’d rather rig the carport!
