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Solar Roof, Any Safety Concerns?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by dasadab, Mar 13, 2010.

  1. dasadab

    dasadab New Member

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    I am debating whether to get the solar option. Does anyone have any concerns or thoughts about safety issues? Specifically, with all of this talk about how it may not be great for long term health issues to be near sources of electromagnetic radiation, what about having your head so close to solar panels. I get that the whole car has a large electrical component, but the panels are so close to one's head. Also, are the panels completely sealed from the passenger compartment. Again, probably a dumb worry, but we are already exposed to so many chemicals, I am just trying to minimize exposure to any new exotic ones.
     
    #1 dasadab, Mar 13, 2010
  2. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    Wow...no...the thought never occurred to me.

    Are solar cells close to my head (maybe not as close to mine since I'm probably shorter than you) something else I should be losing sleep over? :eek:
     
    #2 PriusRos, Mar 13, 2010
  3. silverfog

    silverfog New Member

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    Probably more to fear from the Bluetooth -- and that's not much.
     
    #3 silverfog, Mar 13, 2010
  4. ScottG10

    ScottG10 Member

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    I don't think your any closer to EMR with the solar than anyplace else. The solar creates low voltage not high freq.
    Heck, you get more through the skylight than from the array.
     
    #4 ScottG10, Mar 13, 2010
  5. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    Have you considered the part of your anatomy directly above that heated seat? :eek:
     
    #5 mad-dog-one, Mar 13, 2010
  6. dasadab

    dasadab New Member

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    Yes, actually I don't use the heated seat too much. But, I don't have to living in SoCal. I used to love electric blankets also, but then all the articles started coming out about them...so, I do try and avoid (within reason I hope) stuff that may be harmful. I probably do go a little overboard. I admit it.
     
    #6 dasadab, Mar 13, 2010
  7. gpt

    gpt Junior Member

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    If you really need something to be concerned, you should think of the high voltage battery pack under your back seat which is moving the car, your mobile phone which is connecting to a base station 25 miles away and your microwave oven which is probably operating at 900W.

    The solar panel is something like 15V / 50W, and is less harmfull than the reading lamp next to my bed.
     
    #7 gpt, Mar 13, 2010
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The solar panel is very low voltage - no more worry than a flashlight.

    You need to try a lot harder if you want to find a real worry. :D

    Tom
     
    #8 qbee42, Mar 13, 2010
  9. bigdog1234

    bigdog1234 New Member

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    OMG. :eek:

    I thought most Prius owners were tech savy? Yikes!

    There is NO concern. None.
     
    #9 bigdog1234, Mar 13, 2010
  10. Texas911

    Texas911 Member

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    Don't get that option then.
     
    #10 Texas911, Mar 13, 2010
  11. speakchucker

    speakchucker Junior Member

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    I had to chuckle. Out of all the hazards you are exposed to chemically, radiologically, even electromagnetically, the solar panel is the very, VERY least of any of those hazards.
     
    #11 speakchucker, Mar 14, 2010
  12. JThayer

    JThayer Cubic Zirconium Member

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    The panels are low voltage and direct current. Electromagnetic radiation from them is essentially ZERO. There are no long term safety issues.

    Riding a car, however, has been shown to be a significant hazard to one's health. In 2008, 31,110 people died (in the U.S.) and many more were permantly injured while involved in this activity. This is a much greater safety concern.

    (Funny how we worry ourselves to death about the small things while ignoring the big things...)
     
    #12 JThayer, Mar 14, 2010
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