Solar pannel charging

Earman · 10-22-2009, 11:32 PM

I was disappointed to find out that the solar pannels can only be used to run the fans in hot weather.

Any way to get it to trickle charge the accessory battery? That would compensate for some of the drain if car is left unattended in a parking for a few weeks (like at airport).

qbee42 · 10-22-2009, 11:40 PM

There is no official way to do it. Obviously there is a way if you want to do the modifications, but it hardly seems worth the effort.

Tom

snowykim · 10-23-2009, 08:03 PM

And it will void your warranty on the most expensive part of the vehicle...
I live in NJ and I would go for Solar if it works like you want but it is a just too expensive gadget where it might work for only 3 months of the year. My solution for the summer is combination of 1 inch roll down of window with sigma window visor and window heatshield from PC shop. It will work as good as solar roof.
If you live in Arizona or Nevada and park under direct sunlight all the time, go for it. Otherwise save money and get something more useful to your Prius.

Earman · 10-23-2009, 08:36 PM

Well, it came with the car. In Canada we don't have much choice for options. If you want the loaded car it's option 3, that's it!

Brucester · 10-24-2009, 12:14 PM

Your original question is understandable. One of the most common questions I get regarding my Prius is "Do the solar panels charge the battery?", followed by "Why not?".
I don't plan on making any modifications to this and I doubt that the current output of the solar array would be large enough to be all that effective at charging batteries. As you say, here in Canada, the sunroof is bundled with a package that includes leather and Nav among other things. I don't regret having it.

DaveinOlyWA · 10-24-2009, 12:53 PM

well, if the circulation fans were 12 volt, i could see it in a sense. but we also have to look at control circuitry. otherwise it could drain the battery. i suppose you could control it with diodes, but not sure its worth it.

its pretty much been established that Toyota has addressed the 12 volt battery issues, so kinda like turning on the AC in January

what i would do if so inclined is wire it up so it runs fans in summer, preheats seats in winter... hmmm... ya... maybe.

guess it depends on the heater, but most will run at nearly any voltage. just not as efficiently. but with solar, its not like you are paying for it

Brucester · 10-24-2009, 02:32 PM

Good point, regarding using the solar panels for heating the car. Pre-warming the car, seats or otherwise, would be a welcome feature in the winter months.

ken1784 · 10-24-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucester

Pre-warming the car, seats or otherwise, would be a welcome feature in the winter months.

Please do not worry about pre-warming by solar electric power.
Your Prius is already equipped as a greenhouse by the direct solar power.

The solar panel is only 16% efficiency and has very small area.
The greenhouse effect is more than that.

glass	solar transmittance
front window shield	48%
front door	49%
front quarter	46%
rear door	34%
rear quarter	48%
back door	47%

Ken@Japan

10-22-2009, 11:32 PM	#1
Earman CDN Prius III Technology Blue Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 43 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: I-Tech Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Solar pannel charging I was disappointed to find out that the solar pannels can only be used to run the fans in hot weather. Any way to get it to trickle charge the accessory battery? That would compensate for some of the drain if car is left unattended in a parking for a few weeks (like at airport).

10-22-2009, 11:40 PM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,477 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 388 Times in 289 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Solar pannel charging There is no official way to do it. Obviously there is a way if you want to do the modifications, but it hardly seems worth the effort. Tom

10-23-2009, 08:03 PM	#3
snowykim Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 27 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: Base Thanks: 12 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Solar pannel charging And it will void your warranty on the most expensive part of the vehicle... I live in NJ and I would go for Solar if it works like you want but it is a just too expensive gadget where it might work for only 3 months of the year. My solution for the summer is combination of 1 inch roll down of window with sigma window visor and window heatshield from PC shop. It will work as good as solar roof. If you live in Arizona or Nevada and park under direct sunlight all the time, go for it. Otherwise save money and get something more useful to your Prius.

10-23-2009, 08:36 PM	#4
Earman CDN Prius III Technology Blue Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 43 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: I-Tech Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Solar pannel charging Well, it came with the car. In Canada we don't have much choice for options. If you want the loaded car it's option 3, that's it!

10-24-2009, 12:14 PM	#5
Brucester Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 20 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Solar pannel charging Your original question is understandable. One of the most common questions I get regarding my Prius is "Do the solar panels charge the battery?", followed by "Why not?". I don't plan on making any modifications to this and I doubt that the current output of the solar array would be large enough to be all that effective at charging batteries. As you say, here in Canada, the sunroof is bundled with a package that includes leather and Nav among other things. I don't regret having it.

10-24-2009, 12:53 PM	#6
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,378 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Solar pannel charging well, if the circulation fans were 12 volt, i could see it in a sense. but we also have to look at control circuitry. otherwise it could drain the battery. i suppose you could control it with diodes, but not sure its worth it. its pretty much been established that Toyota has addressed the 12 volt battery issues, so kinda like turning on the AC in January what i would do if so inclined is wire it up so it runs fans in summer, preheats seats in winter... hmmm... ya... maybe. guess it depends on the heater, but most will run at nearly any voltage. just not as efficiently. but with solar, its not like you are paying for it __________________ My Blue 2010 : Last tank 541.9 @ 49.48 pump (56.7 MFD) 5.54 CPM, 21 MPH, Lifetime:5442.2 miles 56.5 MPG pump. (62.22 MFD) 4.72 CPM. Summer MPG 57.4 Winter: 49.5 My 2006 SPM: Last tank 376.6 miles @38.21 pump (40.8 MFD) 7.17 cpm winter mpg 49.64 summer mpg 53.41 lifetime: 42,563.5 miles 51.5 mpg pump (52.7 mpg MFD) 5.51 cpm My 2007 Zenn total "fuel cost" $166.58 on "about" 9599.7 miles. 1.74 cents per mile (granted i plug in for free at work!!) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power) Last edited by DaveinOlyWA; 10-24-2009 at 12:56 PM.

10-24-2009, 02:32 PM	#7
Brucester Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 20 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Solar pannel charging Good point, regarding using the solar panels for heating the car. Pre-warming the car, seats or otherwise, would be a welcome feature in the winter months.

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