Yakima’s Solar Rooftop Cargo Box Makes Top 100 Inventions of 2020 by Time

The Yakima CBX Solar rooftop cargo box has made the cut for TIME’s Top 100 Inventions of 2020 list in the outdoor category.

The Yakima CBX solar rooftop cargo box has made the cut for TIME’s Top 100 Inventions of 2020 list in the outdoor category. The inclusion of the USD 1300 cargo box in the list brings with it a new focus on the latest wave of inventions that are focussed on incorporating sustainable solutions like solar panels to increase the functionality of their products by a massive margin.

“We were seeing people add solar panels to their cargo boxes, and wanted one that looked a little more polished,” said Evan Hampton, Yakima’s senior category manager to TIME. “It gives you a way to power your Bluetooth speaker at a trailhead before or after a hike or après-ski at the parking lot of a resort.”

The best example of that is the CBX Solar rooftop cargo box, which removes the condition for a camping/ outdoor trip to be completely off the grid. The cargo box is retrofitted with Sunflare solar panels which can deliver 36W/5-volt output, and equipped with two USB ports and can power your campsite on an overnight trip or keep your devices charged—without having to use your car battery.

The firm stated that it teamed up with Sunflare to create a solar panel capable of delivering a 36W/5-volt output for when you’re adventuring off the grid. With 2 USB ports, it provides enough juice for a small campsite, won’t drain power from your vehicle and can charge phones, tablets, camping lanterns and action cameras. An integrated, easy-grab lid handle locks gear inside, and the removable torque tool stows away to free up all the storage space available in the cargo box.

Beyond the applications of the solar panels, with its 16 cu. ft. of storage space, the CBX Solar has more than enough room to hold your skis, snowboards, hiking gear or that last duffel you can never quite manage to squeeze into the trunk.