Solar panel on roof

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by eric smith, Oct 26, 2012.

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  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it must work really well for you to be so enthusiastic. i don't recall others feeling the same way hopefully, with positive feedback, they will make it an across the board option.
     
    #21 bisco, Dec 20, 2012
  2. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    The solar panel pulls some outside air into the cabin. It produces way too little power to operate the A/C, which would be required to do any significant cooling.
     
    #22 CharlesH, Dec 20, 2012
  3. Drake

    Drake Junior Member

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    At 60 Watt, you would need 53 hours of full sun exposition to recharge 3.2 KWH of the Prius Plug-in battery...without even considering conversion lost.

    Also, I found this interesting old article about solar panels:
    Kyocera offers details on solar cells used by 2010 Prius

     
    #23 Drake, Dec 20, 2012
  4. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    The conversion losses would be much bigger. We already know that 220v charging is more efficient than 110v charging. (maybe by a few percent...but this might be 10-12% losses compared to 13-15% losses). Now try charging with only 12v. Maybe 25-35% losses. This is about the losses you get with phone chargers and they aren't stepping up the voltage from 12v to hundreds of volts as well.

    Mike
     
    #24 3PriusMike, Dec 20, 2012
    Drake likes this.
  5. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    I don't mind it being an option. But I'd be miffed if it comes standard just like I am miffed I had to pay for standard heated seats and the next to useless NAV. The function of a cooler interior can be accomplished by remote AC which costs considerably less and works works as well without the added weight of the solar panel..
     
    #25 mmmodem, Dec 20, 2012
  6. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    Dude the heated seats are genius. I've always thought them to be a useless gimmick, but after driving through a couple of days of sub-50° weather, I love being able to just keep them on and not worry about ice usage.
     
    #26 lensovet, Dec 20, 2012
  7. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    +1 (PIP)
    +1 2010 and PIP passenger

    Mike
     
    #27 3PriusMike, Dec 20, 2012
  8. PiPLosAngeles

    PiPLosAngeles Senior Member

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    That means by the time you add 5,000 lbs. you could get 0 mpg. :cautious:
     
    #28 PiPLosAngeles, Dec 20, 2012
  9. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    I think if you placed a 5000 lb weight on the car it might not ever go anywhere. :)

    Mike
     
    #29 3PriusMike, Dec 20, 2012
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  10. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Meh, Long John's and a blanket. Give me back my money, Toyota!

    Fine, I do like them. I use them occasionally. But I can easily do without them.
     
    #30 mmmodem, Dec 20, 2012
  11. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    The weight of the solar roof panel + the expense of said panel and production costs for a variation of actual body = no.
     
    #31 DianneWhitmire, Dec 20, 2012
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