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Solar Panel - Your Experience?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by jlaibson, Apr 4, 2011.

  1. Martso

    Martso New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2009
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    Location:
    Brooklyn NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I like the sun roof and use it all the time in warmer months but I feel the solar panel and remote ac is a big waste. It never really feels that much cooler in the car with the panel on. The limits of the remote ac is really a joke. You have to be so close to the car to turn it on that you are opening the door (which turns off the ac) before it gets a chance to do any cooling. I found myself standing in the hot sun once or twice last summer to give it that extra minute to take the edge off the inside heat. That doesn't cut it for me as a great accessory. Everything else about the Prius IV I love. Well there is the awkward placement of the switches for the heated seats though.
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. billinmd

    billinmd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2011
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    Location:
    Bel Air, MD
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Amen on that one. They may as well be behind the seat :)
     
  3. tomstodola

    tomstodola Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2011
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    Location:
    Ontario, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I have not used my remote A/C yet. My dog has, though. My dog likes to sit on my lap when I am on the sofa. The family room wall is common with the garage. One evening I got up and went into the garage and the car was running. I opened the door and the A/C was on. My sweet Keeshond, Brandi had hit the A/C button when she laid across my lap.
     
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  4. jlaibson

    jlaibson Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2011
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks! I was looking at the CT200h too! Not sure I can spend the extra money for it, and I haven't seen one in person. We don't have a Lexus dealer here. I like that it's got a place to put your ipod that's NOT inside the console - don't the Prius folks realize we may have an iPHONE and want to keep it out, but still plug it in?

    The lack of the solar panel option is one reason I probably won't wait for the Prius v, though I saw the prototype and really liked it!
     
  5. jlaibson

    jlaibson Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2011
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I was told by a Toyota mechanic that there aren't specific vents for getting rid of the air, but that there are minor "holes" in various places that allow air to flow through even when you're using the AC - I think he said maybe under the rug on the floor or something like that. Basically, it's not an airtight shell so the air finds its way out.
     
  6. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
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    133
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    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I've seen several of the CTs running around in SoCal. The first time I saw one, he was coming up behind me and passed me up. The front LED DRLs are pretty cool... and from the front, the car looks very wide. I saw another one yesterday and passed it up... Not too fond of the rear. I think Lexus could have clean up that D-pillar area a bit. It just looks too busy, neither practical nor sporty (IMO).