I am picking up my 2010, with a solar roof, this weekend. How much of a difference does this feature make when it is sitting in 110 degree weather? I hope this option is worth the big chunk of change they're asking.
It is designed to keep the interior temperature of your Prius while sitting in sunlight (not shade) near what the ambient temperature is outside the Prius. It will not be cooler that the outside temperature but it should be about the same as the outside temperature or just a few degrees higher.
Well, don't forget that the sun/moon roof is also part of the cost for "solar roof" package. I only got to use mine for about a month of 90+ weather, and i will say it definitley DID help to keep the inside of the car cooler. BUT, keep in mind that it's only drawing the outside air into the cabin, so if the outside air temperature is 110F, then don't expect the inside of you car to be any cooler than this, and probably more like 115F. But having the solar roof is nice as I no longer have to open the sunroof, or crack the windows...only to have to run out to close them again when a passing thunderstorm dumps an inch or two of rain. My GenIII is white (reducing solar absorption). I have tinted the windows (cutting down on the amount of light/heat entering the car through the windows), and I put up a sun screen on the front window when I park in the morning. I can honestly say that if I go out at noon, or late afternoon, that the inside of the car was never overly oppressive (as was the case with prior cars that I have owned). It does help.
Up here in the North, the Solar Roof isn't as useful. I've only been able to test mine in October, on the warmest and brightest days, since temperature impacts the solar cell performance (if sunlight isn't "strong enough," the solar-cooling system "groans.") Personally, I'd have preferred a two-window roof, like the one in the Scion tC...
I've found that in the winter, the sun is too far down in the horizon to keep the fan running, even in Phoenix. The fan will groan as it starts, run for a few seconds, then shut off. Some ECU logic to run it at a lower speed would be nice vs. constant cycling. In the late spring to early fall, the panel is quite effective during peak times of the day as far as being able to "run" the fan, however, I've found that the sun sets too low in the horizon to keep the fan running far before the sun's effects on the car cease, thus around 6-7pm in the summer, the interior begins to heat up again. During mid to late afternoon, the venting does help, however it's not as much as I had hoped. As outside ambient temperatures climb above 110°F, the delta between outside ambient and interior temp seems to climb exponentially. If it's 110-115°F outside, the interior may still be 126°F in total shade, and higher on exposed surfaces with a heatshield in the windshield (no tinted windows - yet). Air coming out of the vents will be several degrees warmer than ambient because the black intake grille on the right side near the base of the windshield acts as a pre-heater for the air as it heats up in direct sunlight. On the plus side, there's remote A/C to take the edge off of the warm air coming through the vents before you arrive - IF you remember to turn it on, and you're close enough to make it work. In summary - it does work, but it's not the magic pill that will keep your car at the same temperature as outside. If Toyota could use an alternate air-source when solar venting, it may help the situation, but they'd also need to find a way to keep the panel effective at more extreme sun angles to make it truly useful.
It worked well in the 30°C temps this summer and I'm a LOT farther north than you are so I presume it will work well in the south (although I do not know how hot you guys actually get). Also, you can use the Remote A/C function to further pre-cool the car before you get in if that helps.
Hi HTML..., Sounds like it needs a pop-up reflector to reflect the sun on the solar cells when the sun is low. You could also glue some Reflectix to the black exposed grill box, except where the grill is. It wont be a cure-all, as the air goes through all sorts of ducting and plenums under the dash, and those bits and pieces will as hot as the interior of the car. As far as low sun around here in the winter its great. Comes right in the windows, and in my place it can be 10 F outside and the heater wont even run mid-day. Like today. I do have some solar-thermal panels (black pieces of metal) in the windows though...
I was thinking something along the lines of a Fresnel type lens or something prismatic, but I imagine that would impact direct sunlight performance. What I don't want to do is create glare for myself or oncoming traffic while driving. I suspect that's why this part of the car is black in the first place.
Totally depends on your perspective. True, you won't use it as much of the year, but it's more effective with the summer temps we see in the north. In other words, I found in quite useful up through the low 90's. Of course, opening the roof tops it all. And then there's the appeal of the shiny black roof. :rockon: .
How about hydraulic suspension like they use on those hip-hop cars? You could tilt the whole Prius until the roof faces the sun. Tom
Dont forget the remote AC which can be turned on for a couple of minutes as you approach and before you enter the car that is part of the solar roof package. I wonder how many use that feature?
The range isn't far enough for it to run long enough to be very useful. It offers some utility, however. Now, if one could activate it while in your office, via your iPhone, then that would be way cool. As in (while you're grabbing your brief case preparing to leave work)....excuse me a sec while I call my car to turn on the AC. I can just see the looks from co-workers. Now that would be impressive!
We didn't see 100+ degree weather here in VA this past August, but the system worked very well on days where we saw the mid 90's. The interior stays near ambient temperature and it is MUCH easier to cool it down from 95 than from 120+. A front window shade will also help keep the radiant load down to reasonable levels. We are happy with our solar panel so far.
Got ours in July, and the fan is nice here in Sacramento, CA, The main use of our car is for rinning errands around town. It works great as the car sits in the parking lot in the 103deg sun. True...it does not cool the interior...but it get's the 140 degree air out of the cabin, so that when you get in with your groceries you can cool it down quick with the regular air conditioning (never tried the "remote AC"...just didn't seem to need it. Paul in Sacramento.
