US man who installed solar film onto roof of his Tesla Model 3 shares how useful they've been one month in
Published on Sep 21, 2026 at 12:09 AM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 21, 2026 at 12:09 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
An American man who installed solar film onto the roof of his Tesla Model 3 gave an update after one month.
As his channel name suggests, YouTuber Mostly Offgrid is looking to reduce his dependency on the energy grid.
To assist in this goal, he purchased a solar film kit and installed it onto the roof of his Model 3.
After a month, he gave his verdict.
How solar-powered cars are on the rise
As electric cars have moved from the periphery into the mainstream, the technology has continued to develop.
Now, solar-powered cars are a very real consideration for drivers looking to be eco-friendly and self sufficient.
Plenty of people have tried their hand at making their own, like YouTuber Simon Sörensen, but companies like Solarky have also contributed to the small but growing market.
Even Toyota is wading into the niche market, filing a patent that could solve one of the biggest problems facing solar cars.
But it’s not just solar panels that are equipping cars with an abundance of energy – solar film is also packing an environmentally friendly punch.
This American man had used solar film on his Tesla Model 3 for a month
YouTuber Mostly Offgrid had used the Ecoflow Heatguard Solar Film kit on his Tesla Model 3 for a month, and now he was giving his verdict on his channel.
It’d cost him around $450 to put these two panels onto the roof of his Tesla.
After a month of driving at speeds of over 80mph, the film had remained in place.
“They stick on with 3M VHB tape. The form factor is extremely good. I have not noticed any wind noise or loss in efficiency from these panels,” the YouTuber said.
“Measure and make sure that the distances are even because once you peel the tape or the backing off the tape, this stuff is almost permanent.”
While the view out of the sunroof was now obscured, this wasn’t an issue in his mind.
“It does block your panoramic view,” he conceded.
“Okay, you cannot see out of the roof once these are on except for a small strip in the middle, but I don’t really care about that because it’s very hot around here and I keep out as much sun as possible.”
On the day in which he was filming, it wasn’t a particularly sunny day – but he was still pulling 138 watts of power.
He estimated that he was seeing 250 watts on sunny days.
All in all, he was very positive about the solar film.
“Honestly, it worth every penny,” he opined.
“If you don’t care about your panoramic roof […] you have a power station, this is invaluable for camping and possibly off-grid style living.”
A complete history of electric vehicles
1832–1839: Early electric vehicles developed by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson and American inventors—rudimentary battery-powered carriages
1890: William Morrison builds a six-passenger electric wagon in the US, sparking interest in electric cars
1900: Electric cars make up around 28% of all vehicles on American roads—popular in cities for their quiet operation
1912: Detroit Electric releases models with 80-mile ranges, making EVs practical for daily driving
1960s: Interest in EVs wanes as cheap gasoline and internal combustion cars dominate
1970s: Oil crises revive interest in alternative fuels, including early electric prototypes
1990: California mandates zero-emission vehicles, leading to GM EV1 and similar experiments
1996: GM EV1 becomes the first mass-produced modern EV, available via lease in California
2008: Tesla Roadster debuts with 244-mile range, proving electric sports cars can compete with gasoline vehicles
2010: Nissan Leaf launches as the first mass-market EV with worldwide availability
2012: Tesla Model S introduces long-range luxury EVs and over-the-air software updates
2016: Chevrolet Bolt EV offers affordable 200+ mile range, pushing EV adoption
2018: Jaguar I-PACE proves electric SUVs can compete with luxury gas models
2020: Porsche Taycan combines EV performance with iconic brand heritage
2021: Rivian R1T and R1S bring adventure-ready electric trucks and SUVs
2022: Lucid Air Dream Edition sets new benchmarks for range and luxury in EVs
2023: Global EV sales surpass 10 million units, signaling mainstream adoption
2024: Solid-state battery prototypes begin testing, promising higher energy density and faster charging
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
