Flexible solar panel battery recharging system for electrified vehicles

A battery charging system for a vehicle having a vehicle body, a roof, and upper exterior surfaces, the battery charging system comprising:

• a flexible solar panel movable between a stored position and a deployed position above at least a portion of the roof and upper exterior surfaces;
• a guide system configured to direct movement of the flexible solar panel during deployment and retraction;
• a support system including at least one rail configured to maintain at least a portion of the flexible solar panel in spaced relation above the roof and upper exterior surfaces during deployment;
• a first deployment assembly configured to store the flexible solar panel in the stored position and to selectively release the flexible solar panel for movement from the stored position toward the deployed position;
• a second deployment assembly operatively coupled to the flexible solar panel and configured to move the flexible solar panel between the stored position and the deployed position;
• and
• wherein the flexible solar panel is configured to generate electrical energy for charging at least one battery of the vehicle when in the deployed position.

A battery charging system for a vehicle having a vehicle body, a roof, and upper exterior surfaces, the battery charging system comprising:

• a flexible solar panel movable between a stored position and a deployed position above at least a portion of the roof and upper exterior surfaces;
• a guide system configured to direct movement of the flexible solar panel during deployment and retraction;
• a support system including at least one rail configured to maintain at least a portion of the flexible solar panel in spaced relation above the roof and upper exterior surfaces during deployment;
• a first deployment assembly configured to store the flexible solar panel in the stored position and to selectively release the flexible solar panel for movement from the stored position toward the deployed position;
• a second deployment assembly operatively coupled to the flexible solar panel and configured to drive, pull, guide, or otherwise move the flexible solar panel between the stored position and the deployed position during deployment and retraction operations;
• and
• wherein, when positioned in the deployed position, the flexible solar panel is exposed to ambient light and is configured to generate electrical energy for charging, supplementing charging of, or maintaining charge of at least one battery of the vehicle.