Tesla's solar glass for Model 3 can melt snow

Solar energy technology has been applied in various fields of industry and life, and now Tesla plans to apply it to Model 3 cars in the future to create a "special" automotive glass.

During an earnings call this week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the Tesla Model 3 will use a special glass technology that is the same as the one they currently use in rooftop solar panels.

Musk said that Tesla has now formed a special glass technology team, and the new department will mainly develop technology for SolarCity solar roof panels. He said that Model 3 will also use this glass technology, but he did not disclose the specific time point.

In addition, Musk also revealed some details about the glass technology in a subsequent Weibo post. He said that this glass incorporates some "heating" elements, which can automatically clear the snow on it while generating energy.

"Glass doesn't waste energy when using the 'heating' element, which is a very strong positive factor," Musk said.

According to Musk, the glass developed by Tesla could have several uses, such as creating a solar roof for the Model 3 or making windshields.

"This solar glass will have heating factors, such as rear window defogger, clear snow from the roof, and continuously generate energy," Musk wrote on Weibo.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.