Will Camper Tent block Hatchback Solar Panels?

I'm fairly certain that, at some point during a Zoom with Aptera, someone asked about full-solar and the tent option. The response was that the tent would not obstruct the solar hatch's ability to generate electricity. Does anyone else remember this?

It is off course a prototype tent. Let’s call it an alpha. That wide mesh would not work in real life, as it would let through bugs. Most modern tents use non-see-um mesh, very fine and almost transparent, and I’m confident they will go that route in the next version. Their possible choices for the top would also have to take possible rain leaks into consideration, as much as I would like it to not block the view. And off course a big open skylight would get hot. Interesting design problem. Expect also water/privacy flaps over the side mesh. I am mostly impressed that they already started working on this in the alpha version, rather than it being an afterthought once production starts. gives me good hope the final product will be thoughtful and functional.

The tent currently seems to have a mesh top (which is the same as its mesh sides) that would allow light into the solar cells.

A good question. When camping, I will often get up early for a run or hike before the sun rises while my wife sleeps in, makes coffee, reads a book, takes a nap and just lounges around in the tent during the daylight. Maybe the tent top could be constructed with the clear flexible rubbery plastic. The same as the windows on some of the higher end tents. This would allow the solar to operate unimpeded or at least impeded only slightly.

Better yet, maybe the rear tent could could just drop down from or attach to the underside of the back hatch so that the solar is never covered at all.

I think the solar covered hatch will be the roof of the tent. The tent's walls and partial roof will attach by velcro or zipper to the hatch.

The solar cells will continue to charge, unless you oddly park facing due North, then you'll only get 1 hour at sunup and 1 hour @ sundown of weak charging. Park pointing South by Southwest slightly for max heat gain and solar charging compromise. Or park South by Southeast in the morning and South by Southeast in the evening if you camp in cold, not-sunny places.

There will be great stargazing out of the sides and partial roof, weather permitting. Too cold? Zip up the side walls and partial roof covers. Open up the little 'lookie-loo' window. You know, like EVERY. OTHER. TENT. in existence.

Just FYI, I emailed Aptera to ask about the solar hatch option. Apparently it will be flexible solar cells applied over the glass...not what I expected. Would like to work out my own "underneath the glass" alternative but I'll have to modify it myself to tie into the charging system.

Hello Jim,

Thank you for your email.

It is not removable and will not have ports to plug directly into the solar system. It will sit on the glass and block light from entering as well as the driver's view.

Best,

Aptera Team

I have two issues with the solar hatch option which are related to the tent option. First, I would love to have the full solar option but I worry about the cargo area of the car being dark and somewhat cave-like. Having the huge window there is nice for light, especially if you are going to try to lie in the back using some sort of "camp mode" with the hatch closed or have pets back there...could be kind of claustrophobic without the glass. Second, even if the tent option allows solar charging with the tent in place, I think I would rather have a skylight with a shade you could open for natural light/star gazing/etc. If you are parking the car at a lot and you could temporarily mount panels under the glass to charge in the same way the dash panels do, that would be ideal. Plus, you could remove these panels and place them outside the car at a campsite for charging - assuming they will have a way to plug in auxiliary panels.

So I will probably skip the solar hatch option (get just the hood) and look for some third party solution to add more charging capacity through the hatch glass.

hello This picture shows a little bit that the top of the tent is made of transparent foil, the same as the side windows.

@drjohn71a At the time of the Design Webinar, it was stated that they were working with a "tent designer" to develop a prototype: This would seem to indicate that the images we've seen of the "camping" option are just digital renderings of an idea or concept and are not representative of a finished product.

Yes, jesthorbjorn, I asked this question earlier.

This actually touches on another, broader question: Does the solar on the hatch contribute when the hatch is open? I am inclined to assume yes, simply because the electrical connection is going to be proximate to the hinging and continually “plugged in“; just like any other hatch-back.

I envision a circumstance where you want to maximize parked solar gain. So you park the vehicle nose towards the equator so that the front sloping PV get maximum sun, then you open the hatch so the hatch mounted PV slopes in the same direction.

Gotta think the designers are thinking along the similar lines.

I do large format photography and have to unpack and set up small darkroom tents, cameras, etc.. I don’t want to have to break everything down and set it up again during the day or two of camping.

You set up camp, go on a hike for photography, exploring, sightseeing, etc. and return to camp at lunch or supper time. So you’d want the car to charge while your gone.

It s a serious question that deserves a direct answer, please. Dose the Camper Tent allow Solar Charging?

Were you planning on sleeping atop the solar cells?

Most campers use tents for sleeping at night only when there is no sun...

Will the Hatchback Solar Panels work when the hatch is open?