Solar Powered Roof?

It runs on it's own if the switch on the dash is on (pushed-in).
You can hear it running if you standy by the fresh air intake under wipers.
Just leave it on and you'll be fine.
Can't think of any cons.

 

Does it still run even if the car is on and the HVAC on?

 

Not sure.
It would be more likely that the ready signal is sensed and that opens the circuit to the solar.
The difference may be: 2 different voltage fans, fan duty, fan motor winding, etc.
Either way if it does run while normal HVAC is on then all the better.
Personally I would rather the solar panel contribute to the hybrid system in some way whilst in 'ready'.
In our climate it's nice to know that the car's interior air is at least moving around abit.
We get many days of sun no matter what the temp.

 

It stops the moment you press the start button.

 

The solar (panel) roof powers an interior ventilation fan that runs when the car is off. in sunny weather, it helps keep the interior at ambient outside air temp rather than getting much hotter. It works very well here in the northwest on warm/hot sunny days, and it would probably work great in FL.

You can search the Gen III forum for previous discussion threads on this topic. Generally people have enjoyed the feature. It apparently doesn't provide enough power to charge the batteries (starting or traction).

 

It is capable of 22v at 3.6a if you want to do some mods to use it with a battery charge controller to charge batteries. One disadvantage is you may not like the additional attention your car gets as it looks way nicer with the solar roof verses not having it

It also costs $3820 MSRP as an option on the Prius Four, but you get a host of other goodies bundled with that price so it's well worth it.

Mike

 

17's with solar roof, but it will cost YA a bit more



Mike

 

One other con. There is greater chance of glass breakage as almost the entire roof is glass.

It does run only when the car is off. It does run the fan quite briskly. It DOES NOT drop the interior temp. to ambient. It drops it, but not as much as you may hope. So don't leave animals, children, or anything else that could be damaged by higher heat in the car! Such as sunglasses.

 

1. It works. It will keep the car at "room temperature" vs. the solar oven effect.

2. It looks great. The all black roof has a great aesthetic on all colors but best on red or white vehicles.

3. Sunroof is nice feature to have in nice weather. Plus being able to crack the sunroof increases the ventilation in the car when driving the highway on sunny days when it's a toss up on AC vs. window.

 

I searched and didn't find any similar concerns, but I wonder if you all notice a musty smell after your solar roof fan has been on? I wonder if there is an air filter for the fan? I'm at work, or I would check the manual. Plus, I just got the car yesterday.

 

Pro's:
Keeps your interior car temp closer to outside air temp (really helps to prevent that blast of hot air when you open you car on a hot sunny day)
Simple on/off button
It really does make your car look nicer (at first glance the roof appears to have a black vinyl wrap)
Comes automatically with the moonroof
Won't run under 70F (so you don't risk blowing cold air into your cabin)

Con's:
Might dirty up your cabin air filter quicker
Can pull funky smells outside into your car if you're parked somewhere funky (near a landfill, for example)
Doesn't help when the car is "ready"
Doesn't power any A/C components, will only attempt to bring your cabin closer to the ambient external temperature
A few people have reported finicky operation and/or seals cracking. Inspect it once in a while if this makes you nervous.

In my opinion, it is totally worth it though. I think it's about 1.5k more expensive in the 3 versus almost 3.5k in the 4 and 5 models.

 

I have solar roof as well, but its really hard for me to notice the difference on hot sunny days , also does the cycle for air ventilation have to be on the one with "in-take air" or will "cabine air cycle" be ok? Which button do I push to make sure that ventilation is working at all time?

 

From what I can tell it always intakes air (cycling air would probably defeat the purpose)

The on/off switch is on a panel below and to the left of the steering wheel. There should be a button that looks like a fan over a car with a line flowing through the car. Pushing it in enables the system.

 

The solar fan only works when the vehicle is powered off. However, the switch on the dash has to be turned on while the vehicle is ON or in the READY state.

I've heard mine cycle on and off or run continuously. It's very quiet. I love mine.

 

No musty smells this summer. It uses the cabin air filter, so keep that clean and you're ok. It's easy to get at and clean, just accept you have to empty the lower glove box -before- you release it and swing it down. Otherwise you succeed in dumping the contents on the floor.

Those who like to tinker might consider buying some fancy filter materiel and cutting it to fit in the plastic filter frame. Just be careful it flows air as well as the stock stuff.

 

I know there is that air ventilation button below the steering wheel on the left side, but maybe I did press it when the car was switched off. I'll try again today have the car on and then press that button, but I probably won't get to see the different til next summer.