Solar roof: Worth it? How does it work?

There's a previous thread that asks and has numerous responses to this question - try Solar powered moonroof Impressions | PriusChat . There are other threads about the roof as well.

Short answer from me - I love it, both for hot-weather heat-buildup limiting and the light/airflow possibilities when driving..

 

Totally worth it in my opinion. Having a sunroof is just really nice too I use it really often.

 

I like my solar sunroof very much. Very effective.

It's not more effective than driving with the windows down but allows you to get into a car that's less than the total oven that it would be otherwise.

On a 2010 leather = real leather, I believe.

 

I had it on my 2010 and now my 2013. I have had a sunroof in everyone of my cars since 1979. Wouldn't be without one.

The downside of getting the sunroof is you have to get the over priced (and expensive to update) GPS and you also get the backup camera. Both of these options I could do without.

 

I love mine, there are 5 other red Gen III's here at my job, so it helps me know which is mine. Kids also use it for that same reason when I pick them up at school.

 

There is no right or wrong answer. Get what's right for you.
Always get more because once you buy it, you won't start wishing you got it.
My Jetta had a one. I never used it. One of the few times I did use it, a seagull crapped on me as I was admiring the pretty bird as it flew over while parked at the beach.

 

I don't use the sunroof that often, but the solar portion is great. Keeps car comfortable in hot sun, with windows closed for security, plus keeps interior clean. Also, the all glass roof is cool.

 

I usually tilt the roof up to vent with the shade open an inch if I'm parked in the sun. It seems like it should help.

 

Prius looks super awesome with the all black glass roof. It's a total head turner in traffic.

Mike

 

Odd, mine turns heads as well, but they're usually accompanied by hand gestures

 

Mine works flawless but I only have maybe 1500 miles on my car, but it is coming up on two years old

Mike

 

Honestly it does so little that if it were to 100% stop working it wouldnt really be a big deal. Only reason I got one is because at the dealer I bought it from it was only $200 more and the car was in overall better shape than the one they had without it.

 

There is a thread in here about a 2010 that experienced a solar panel failure with cosmetically obvious corrosion. I can recall just that one.
As ataylor says, even if the panel fails you still have a sunroof and you've got a heavier duty blower motor in the bargain.

 

It may not be a big deal to you but can be a total godsend to others. I see that you are in the SF Bay Area where it seldom reaches over 90 degrees. Someone living in a climate where it is over 90 degrees for months on end would likely feel very differently.

If you rarely park outdoors or live in an area of the country where it's not that hot (Pacific Northwest for example), it's usefulness will be much less.

 

I saw the thread on the solar panel corrosion too. It started at the edges and "crept in". I'm keeping an eye on mine, to ensure it doesn't happen before the warranty is out.

There were others speculating about the roof shape (flat, as opposed to the two ridges) and weight of the solar roof effecting the MPH and handling. It doesn't seem like it would be noticeable to me.

 

What exactly should we be looking for regarding corrosion? Mine when brand new on the lot had some what I would describe as water spots on it. I thought that's what it was but they would not come off when I tried to remove them when I got home, so it appears they are on the underside of the solar panel glass put there in the manufacturing process. They are only visible at certain angles, in the sun and sorta look like little prisms in the solar panel or something. Is this normal?

Regarding MPG, I don't think it is affected when the sunroof is closed. But when open, I think it affects it slightly, but totally worth it IMO. I can't have a car without a sunroof/moonroof. A much nicer driving experience, plus makes the car look really cool. I use it almost constantly.