US firm Worksport has unveiled a novel tonneau cover for pickups that carries a solar array to provide a portable power supply.

Depending on the model, the foldable load bed lid is fitted with three or four robust Solis panels mounted on a rail system.

These protect any cargo from wind and rain, and their thick copper foundation apparently allows them to cope with more flexing and vibrations than a typical solar cell.

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Harvested energy is processed by an on-board inverter and the firm’s MPPT controller that trickles it into a COR battery pack.

As standard, it comes with a single 1.5kWh unit, which takes 150min to charge and should be enough to run the truck’s air-conditioning for about two hours.

If more power is required, buyers have the option of upgrading to a twin or triple battery setup.

The 60V system can generate up to 650W in favourable weather conditions, with a mobile app providing live information on energy generation and usage.

For now, its primary use will be as an off-grid power supply to run plug-in tools or charge cordless kit.

However, it could also be used to extend the driving range of an electric pickup by up to 10 miles a day.

Full production is set to begin early next year, priced at $3,499 (£2,770) for the solar cover and COR battery system, with versions expected to be available for most popular pickup models.