2010 Prius Solar roof questions.....

I'll take a stab at these having driven a solar version.

1. Yes, there is a defeat switch to the left of the steering column (where the instrument light dimmer, mirror controls, etc.). This is outlined in the YouTube video outlining it's operation.

2. Yes, there is a manual sunshade that is completely opaque.

3. This isn't confirmed, but I would suspect this doesn't work well in the shade. Then again, solar gain in the shade is much lower than direct sunlight, and the "need" for ventilation will be lower.

4. Prior solar experience says just keeping the glass clean and free of debris is probably all that's required. Avoid scratching the glass with harsh cleaning methods. The only time I'd suspect a replacement is required is if the panel was damaged (cracked) by objects (i.e. LARGE hail) or a collision.

5. I can't say for certain, but the way it's been explained is that after a short period of time (10 min?), once interior temperatures begin to climb above exterior ambient, provided there's adequate solar power and the defeat switch isn't enabled, the vent fan will switch on. Once the door is opened upon return, the system will deactivate.

 

Remote A/C is "up to 3 minutes" provided you've left the climate control system "set" before shutdown. That "up to" amount is probably down to a certain battery state of charge.

Solar should be continuous as long as there's power from the panels. The defeat button should be a toggle that doesn't require any intervention once set.

 

How much extra gas/energy will be spent running the A/C for the additional 5-15 minutes cooling the car down each time? In Arizona?

For some of us, it's not about cost vs. return.

 

No need to carbon copy your message in two different threads. We get it . But yeah it is bundled with the navigation system. $1,800 is the cost if you do the math. A typical moonroof is about $800-$1,000 so it's not too bad.

You can leave it pushed in.

The ventilation is fully automatic and starts 10 mins after you lock the car. It cools the car down the ambient temperature only. So if it's 80 outside, it can only cool to approximately 80 (since it's simply drawing outside air and just circulating the air throughout the cabin to stop it from reaching 100 degrees or more).

The Remote A/C is activated via your keyfob and will shut itself off after 3 mins.


Note that both functions will work only if the automatic climate control is set to a temperature below ambient. That means in the winter or fall, you can park your car in the sun to heat up the car (and reducing heating times) without having to worry about the solar panel cooling it down. Of course on the flip side, you can always turn it off in the winter but there is no harm if you leave it activated all winter.

I suspect the toggle switch is simply if you're parking in a dusty area and you don't want the solar panels to turn on the fan and suck in all the dust.

 

As discussed, that's $1800, which at $4/gal, is 450 gal of fuel (or, 22,500 miles @ 50mpg). The other $1800 goes toward NAV, which we all agree could buy several Garmin's + updates. There are plenty of other features bundled with either (Remote A/C, backup camera, bluetooth streaming audio) that sweeten the deal.

Thinking along the "saving money" argument - most people who are buying a hybrid "just to save money on gas" should reconsider and buy a much cheaper vehicle with slightly lower MPG (i.e a Yaris). For the rest of us, buying a Prius is much more than just "Saving money on gas", but rather being a bit more socially responsible, using less foreign oil, polluting less, etc. Then there's guys like me who ALSO feel the technology just just damned cool and will pay a semi-reasonable price for it. Had Solar and advanced tech minus the 17" rims been available, I'd have popped for that too at a likely $33k+.

Other than annoying the other members? Probably not, but it is poor netiquette, and creates two separate reply threads which makes it that much harder for others to follow.

 

A written rule? no sir. Just forum etiquette =).