Serious questions about the solar option available in the Prime:

I've owned both of THE highest trims.
A Gen3, Level 4 could get the Solar Sun Roof option.
A Gen3, Level 5 could not get the Solar Sun Roof, but it could get the Advanced Technology Package, only available on the Level 5.
My first Gen3, Level 5 also had the optional Blizzard Pearl Paint.

I honestly don't know which one was THE most expensive possible Prius.
I don't know anything about the 'electric driver's seat' option. That's a new one on me....

 

That sounds like the original Gen3, the 2010.

The 2012 mid-cycle refresh pulled the solar sunroof option down to Level 3. Spouse likes sunroofs, I ended up with it on a Level 3 and drove it a dozen years.

 

Uhhh... What??! Photons in the light cause electrons in the semiconductor to move from the N-type across the depletion layer to the P-type. Gather all these electrons up and return them to the N-Type via a wire and you have electricity. There is no "radiation" or anything hazardous involved as it's all DC. The electric motor and inverter drive are throwing off much more EMI than anything involved with the solar panel.

 

You're talking about "EMI", but the question was about "whatever".

Who's to say the motor drive can't give off more of the EMI while the solar panel gives off the vast majority of all the whatever?

It's certainly beyond me—I never learned enough about whatever.

 

True. Maybe the point of the tin foil is to absorb the "whatever" and transfer it into the wearer's head? Clearly I'm out of my depth here...

 

You just need a widget to handle all that whatever. Toyota installed at least one.

 

Oh, oh....
I can answer this important question.
The chance of catching WATEVER under a solar panel is 100% the same as having your noggin under a patio umbrella.
There are all sorts of unsafe practices that can be done under either shade providing device.
And it can be a very quick exposure, if you're doing it right!
Be warned!! Play safe young man!

But I like the way you think!
What else is google spreading (erroneous or not) ?

 

Congrats! If you note the displayed EV range or take a photo, let it charge for a day exposed to direct sunlight, then come back, what is the range? Like do you see 20 miles but when you left it before, it had 17?

 

Getting her to do that might be like pulling teeth, lol, but yeah, that's my plan. "Just check it before you go in, and then check it after..."

 

Hi Hotdog453, any update on this? Was she (or you if you borrowed her car for a couple sunny days) able to find this out, like you leave it at 12 miles and come back and see it has a total of 15 miles a day later, just due to the solar panel when you leave it in the sunlight? Or, did anyone see this?

 

I mean there is an extra screen showing you exactly how much it charges per solar a day (kwh or milage) for the days. Independent from that you can see the battery charge increasing - its pretty small though and now in fall barely happening anymore.

 

This is good news, thanks. Glad to see the overall charge level increases even by a small amount. So it not only is able to maintain the charge level but add to it.

 

Why would it be a gimmick? I would get 7 miles of BEV range out of it everyday. That said, I never park under the sun unless I have to. My current BEV range in my 2021 Prius Limited is over 40 miles with 6.3 kWh of charging.

Congratulations to everyone who has got this great but hard-to-find solar-roof option!

 

As in 6.3 miles / kWh?
That has got to be some really slow putzing around town.

 

There's another post around here somewhere and new this week about the 6.3 m/kw in a Gen 5 with the disclaimer of not annoying many other drivers ( it's hard to not annoy every other driver most anywhere, or be annoyed by another driver(s yourself unless one drives in a bubble or the ( boonies, where wildlife can easily stand in for other drivers in one path ).
Anyways
the Gen4 Prime takes typically between 6 to 6.5 kWh of juice from the plug to fill the pack form empty. Easy mistake unless monitoring utility usage where plugging in a Prime.
i have noticed a pattern to your occasion posts, which is why there isn't a notification included.

 

I could easily wrong since I don't have the solar option or live in an area that gets summer temps above 100 F often. I imagine the solar roof would NOT add much if any extra heat to the cabin, at least any noticeable heat to the already scolding temps in there.

You might want to check if the owners manual has any info about if the solar option provides any automated heat pump cooling in extreme heat situations or is you ever get any extreme cold temps in your area, it the option allows for using battery heater(s) without being plugged in.

 

No, 6.3 kWh to charge from 0% to 100% SOC. I get up to 8.0+ mi/kWh driving slow (7.0 mi/kWh typical). I get over 6 mi/kWh even on the freeway if I can drive 57 mph. I average around 6.8 mi/kWh in city driving. Gen 4 Prius Prime is extremely efficient at speeds below 57 mph and when driven gently. Inflate your tires to over 40 psi as well.

 

I love that! Thanks. So in 7 days, like if you leave your car at the airport in good sunlight conditions, you could get a full charge just from the integrated solar panel if you start out with near zero EV range right? It would be interesting for you or others to confirm this full charge from solar energy capability.

 

In Florida in the summer and perhaps during most of the year when it is sunny, yes, you can get a full charge or close to a full charge in seven days if you average nine hours a day, with the battery needing 11.7 kWh to charge and the solar panel being 185 W.