Hood Solar Panel Installed

[2019JLUS]

I like the concept and you did a really clean install. My concern would be at highway speeds, getting a corner lifted and it ripping off the whole panel. But I'm over cautious.

Best,
-Tim

Thanks! I had the same concern initially but it went away when I had to lift the vinyl back up after only letting it settle for 5 seconds and it was tough. The double sided tape is even stickier. Just make sure you run the tape along the entire edge. At least the front and they also recommend putting a bead of silicone down which will definitely remove that possibility.

this guy silicones his at 1:14

I should probably do the same

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[2019JLUS]

Hail for about 30 minutes yesterday in Florida. Pix from my brother who lives close to Vero Beach. I don't have to tell you what happened to all the Solor Panels on everyone's roofs. Many will find their homeowners insurance will not cover. Auto... who knows?

I would not install permanently on a Jeep (or anything else). Especially if going off-road. But that's just me. It is a cool option/concept.

But buildings use glass panels. Not sure how flexible panels will do against hail but I’d imagine better

 

[Skeethree]

Hail for about 30 minutes yesterday in Florida. Pix from my brother who lives close to Vero Beach. I don't have to tell you what happened to all the Solor Panels on everyone's roofs. Many will find their homeowners insurance will not cover. Auto... who knows?

I would not install permanently on a Jeep (or anything else). Especially if going off-road. But that's just me. It is a cool option/concept.

31 solar panels on my home. Last summer's hail storm had no effect on panels at all, even though it did damage stain on cedar deck rails. I think solar panels are manufactured to resist hevy hail damage.

 

[Stagewex]

Well then, that's all great news about certain types of solar panels in general I guess?

 

[2019JLUS]

the past few days have been mostly cloudy and rainy, but even with such weak sunlight my battery is still staying topped off and my dash cams haven't turned off yet. It's been 5 days already!

starting to think the 90w kit was overkill

 

[Stagewex]

I guess I should have asked earlier, are these hybrid or electric Jeeps, is that why the need for a solar panel when not driven for a few weeks? A few have mentioned they have low battery levels or had to actually jump-start their engines. Thanks.

 

[2019JLUS]

I guess I should have asked earlier, are these hybrid or electric Jeeps, is that why the need for a solar panel when not driven for a few weeks? A few have mentioned they have low battery levels or had to actually jump-start their engines. Thanks.

Only the 4xe is hybrid, you can argue that the etorque is also a hybrid, but that would be like me saying i'm 1% african, and with the newer JL's having gps trackers, over the air updates, auxiliary batteries, there has been a lot of dead battery issues.

 

[Stagewex]

Really, never knew that. I've only had my 2025 for about a month now, have about 900 miles on her. I did notice an over-the-air software update while I was driving that was weird. But the other stuff is so minuscule I didn't realize it was affecting folks batteries so much they couldn't start their Jeeps. There are the same and more technology in all new cars and trucks nowadays unfortunately. Shelf life of these systems will be 10 years tops before becoming obsolete. Like an old iPhone or laptop that you can no longer update anymore.

 

[donmontalvo]

Stumbled onto this thread. FWIW Lensun now sells a 60W panel for JLUR hoods.

https://lensunsolar.com/products/je...-solar-panel?_pos=1&_psq=rubicon&_ss=e&_v=1.0

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