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Solar Roof Info for 2023 Prius Prime

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by drash, Mar 28, 2023.

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  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    That’s correct.
     
    #41 Tideland Prius, Apr 4, 2023
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  2. Maxwell61

    Maxwell61 Active Member

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    I'm wondering if someone has been able to intercept in DC-DC converter i guess, or what, the connectors of the cables from the solar roof to insert a connection to external FV panel.
     
    #42 Maxwell61, Apr 4, 2023
  3. Maxwell61

    Maxwell61 Active Member

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    #43 Maxwell61, Apr 5, 2023
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  4. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Not sure what disappeared but here's some interesting formation. I checked out the spec sheet for the 2023 Prius Prime:

    spec sheet: https://toyota-cms-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2023-Prius-Prime-Product-Information_03302023.pdf

    Battery Weight (lb.)

    284 (287 with solar roof – XSE Premium grade only)

    128.8 kg (130.2 kg with the solar roof)

    Just begs the question, are they adding a buffer battery within the traction battery?

    Spec sheet also shows a 3.5 kW charger built into the car.
    For reference the original Plug-in Prius (PiP) battery weight was 180 lbs (80 kg). 2017-2022 Prius Prime battery weight was 265 lbs (120.2 kg). So the 2023 13.6 kWh battery weight grew by 19 lbs (8.6 kg) over the 2017-2022 8.8 kWh battery.
     
    #44 drash, Apr 6, 2023
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maxwell is saying the buffer battery disappeared, i think he's correct
     
    #45 bisco, Apr 6, 2023
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  6. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    I would think that the number of cells is the same. 3 lb must be extra wiring and connectors on the battery to hook up with the solar roof.

    This could make it very hard to find the special battery with the solar-roof option fifteen years from now.
     
    #46 Gokhan, Apr 6, 2023
  7. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Looking at the cutaway again, it might be whole or part of the dc/dc converter that needs cooling, since the traction battery is liquid cooled. You have to convert the solar panel output to the same as the traction battery and buffer it to keep voltage swings from varying too wide. This could be clouds passing by or driving under bridges, tree branches, etc.. Now by buffer, it may not necessarily be a battery. Most dc/dc converters have voltage conditioners and are pretty much capacitor based.
     
    #47 drash, Apr 6, 2023
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  8. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    I think the solar-roof-equipped XSE Premiums will be unicorns. So far, there is apparently none in the inventory.
     
    #48 Gokhan, Apr 6, 2023
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is the traction battery liquid cooled?
     
    #49 bisco, Apr 7, 2023
  10. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Yes
     
    #50 drash, Apr 7, 2023
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Any details?
     
    #51 bisco, Apr 8, 2023
  12. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    #52 drash, Apr 8, 2023
  13. vallesj

    vallesj Junior Member

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    Based on GOOGLE BARD'S calculation answers, it's not worth te extra cost:
    The 2023 Prius Prime has a 18.1 kWh battery pack. The solar panels can provide up to 2.5 miles of additional range per day, which is about 6.25% of the battery's capacity. Therefore, it would take about 28 days for the solar panels to fully charge the battery on a sunny day.

    However, it is important to note that the solar panels will not always be able to provide the full 2.5 miles of range. The amount of power that the solar panels can generate depends on the amount of sunlight that is available. In cloudy or overcast conditions, the solar panels will not be able to generate as much power.

    The solar panels are also not able to generate power at night. Therefore, the 2.5 miles of range that they provide is only available during the day.
     
    #53 vallesj, Apr 8, 2023
  14. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    The 2023 Prius Prime has a 13.6 kWh battery of which 11.5 kWh is used. Use the 11.5 kWh to make your calculation for the ideal 185W washed panel. ;)
     
    #54 drash, Apr 8, 2023
  15. vallesj

    vallesj Junior Member

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    You know bard and chatgpt-bing lie several times, so let me correct it, so it can improve. ;)
     
    #55 vallesj, Apr 8, 2023
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  16. vallesj

    vallesj Junior Member

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    Bard reduced it to 12 days.....
    "The 2023 Prius Prime has a 13.6 kWh battery pack, but it only uses 11.5 kWh of that capacity. The remaining 2.1 kWh is reserved for the car's hybrid system. This means that the solar panels can provide up to 2.1 miles of additional range per day, which is about 17% of the battery's capacity. Therefore, it would take about 12 days for the solar panels to fully charge the battery on a sunny day.

    However, it is important to note that the solar panels will not always be able to provide the full 2.1 miles of range. The amount of power that the solar panels can generate depends on the amount of sunlight that is available. In cloudy or overcast conditions, the solar panels will not be able to generate as much power."
     
    #56 vallesj, Apr 8, 2023
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  17. Maxwell61

    Maxwell61 Active Member

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    The NiMh buffer battery disappearance is deducted from the screenshot of the gen 4 & gen5 I've uploaded.
    Yes, I think it's a fair assumption that they added the buffer using an extra portion of the HV big battery, hence the heavier weight.[/QUOTE]
     
    #57 Maxwell61, Apr 8, 2023
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the solar panel being 'worth it' is based more on the 'cool' factor than return on investment.

    all things being equal, i would pay an extra $600. for it.
     
    #58 bisco, Apr 8, 2023
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  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah it’s definitely a cool factor and I suppose if you can take advantage of it, at least say you’re powering some of your miles by solar.

    Plus, you’re helping R&D for future Primes with solar roofs (e.g. RAV4 Prime with a larger roof)
     
    #59 Tideland Prius, Apr 8, 2023
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  20. reallyreal

    reallyreal Member

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    If gen4 had a 8.8 kWh battery and 6.6 were usable, the usable portion of gen 5 is probably more around 10 kWh
     
    #60 reallyreal, Apr 9, 2023
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