Solar cell imperfections on Solar Roof?

Indeed LTRAiN - All that HTMLSpinnr said was "You can find effectiveness reviews in another thread. "... HTMLSpinnr has already helped so much, on a regular basis, and in you barge "derailing" a very high tension thread. Wouldn't a defect in YOUR brand new car make you very uptight and want a thread to stay on-topic?... You should just go ahead and enjoy HTMLSpinners videos on the AC/Solar roof and feel content - if you can go find it

BTW, please note that it wasn't HTMLSpinnr who called you and "nice person" - and neither did I... he's only helped you, although evidently not enough to your liking.


Sigh - my apologies for the noise.

Dave

 

Agreed. Sure, monocrystalline panels are more uniform (and efficient, and expensive)-- but I like the cool patterns in polycrystalline panels.

 

Yeah the panel in the picture looks fine to me too...

 

...although it is always optional. Sometimes it is amusing, most of the time simply annoying.

Tom

 

Wow! I havent seen anything like that. By though way I'm a sale person for a Toyota Dealer, I hope that I will be welcome into this Prius chat. I been with Toyota for about 8 years. I remember the first Generation prius, and now we have this 3rd Generation prius, wow what a great car.. once I pay off my 4runner I will be looking into getting one with a solar pannel prius. I guess now we can start buying a black prius no more hot car as we all get into it on a hot summer day... by though way on the air bubbles, I will find out more about that and I will post more info, warranty should cover it. But I will find out more to let you all know.

 

hehehe... it's probably not a problem.

In fact, "black" silicon is something that is highly desirable for a solar cell. It means that close to 100% of the light incident on the cell is transmitted, because any color other than black (especially shiny colors) means that some of the light is reflected. A lot of researchers are trying to find ways to make the surface of a solar cell anti-reflective (other than putting an anti-reflective coating).

I actually have no idea if this is really the case for your solar roof, but I thought I'd share a bit of solar cell science.

 

PV panels are basically ugly things. The ones I've seen on the 2010's are WAY nicer than any residential ones we put on the roof.

Darell's vote: No issue.

 

well aint that a relief!!

whew!!. for a second i thought it was a conspiracy to make me get up off the couch and go out and look at my solar panels. to be honest with ya, mine sat in direct sunlight (well there are trees in the vicinity so it would only have been direct sunlight for all but the coolest part of the da...then again, why am i mentioning it...nm!!) all day with temps hitting the mid 90's. we jumped in at 5.15 PM which around here is just about the hottest part of the day since the sun does not set until after 8 PM (soon to be 10 PM) and the car was warm, but the seats which are leather were not hot, it was not uncomfortable to touch the steering wheel, etc. at all.

so although the panels are dirty (damn trip to the beach and there is dust all over it!!) they seem to be working well. now as far as what they look like. i have glanced at them a few times. i will take another look but only because all this discussion has really peaked my interest...

should we start a contest? prettiest crystal pattern??
or who can Jesus in their panel?

 

I have a new 2011 4 with solar package. I also have access to my mothers 2010 with solar package. Her roof shows no signs of "imperfections" or " delamination". My 2011 has numerous signs of delam throughout hte cells. I will be bringing it back to toyota next week .

What kind of responces did others get from their dealers?
If it has to be replaced, is there a posibility that there will be leaking or other damage to the interior or roof liner?

Mike S.
Massachusetts