Using Solar Roofs To Power Hybrids

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jim0266 @ May 31 2007, 08:46 PM) [snapback]453030[/snapback]</div>

I would find it hard to believe that a solar roof for a car would have a payback period of 2-3 years yet that same cost in solar panels on your roof (assuming you go DIY and not contractor route) would have a payback of 7-10 years.

 

Well, it does include a 3KWh aux battery in addition to the 215Wp array. An article that I read about this said they expect a 17-29% increase in FE. It looks like you can't plug it in and they don't give any details about the supplementary battery system.

 

I sent an email to the company earlier today because they're just down the road from where I live and I've seen the solar Prius in their parking lot many times as I've driven by. Here's the info I got from them:

Also, when I asked whether it would work for 2007 MY Prii this was the response I got:

I was actually giving some serious thought to not bothering with the 100,000mi warranty and signing up for the conversion but I think I'm going to wait until they're actually serious about it (i.e. I don't want to wait for them to accumulate deposits) so I'll go ahead with the 100,000mi warranty for the Prius and then take another look at the conversion when I'm through that (4-5 years). Regardless, it's nice to see people are developing such technology.

 

Thats really cool. As far as time payback it would be much faster than a home unit in theory because all solar is DC. A standard pannel of that size ranges in the 500 to 800 range from what I have seen. The flexable pannels are obviously more $ and there is obviously more to the system and the people who did the work and R&D obviously deserve a profit.

Homes work of AC and to be a solar home (unless you buy speical lights and appliances) takes the Solar DC and convert it to AC and there is a power loss. A direct DC solar charge is much more efficent.

I would do this but I would want to see and hear it from a pioneer who did it first hand that is not of this company.

If the manufacturing requirement is a minimum of 30 I am very supprised this company has not placed an initail order and taken that risk to stock 30 kits. Of the Prii out there and the demographic who buys them, selling such a product and proving it is a no brainer. With the number of Prii in my town selling 30 in a year once proven and shown would be simple.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Jun 1 2007, 12:23 AM) [snapback]453051[/snapback]</div>

Forget the solar panels. Will they sell the batery pack and plug in kit?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bestmapman @ Jun 1 2007, 04:21 AM) [snapback]453106[/snapback]</div>

That's a great point! Presumably they're only using cheap lead-acid.... but frankly who cares?

This could be a 20-mile PHEV upgrade for only $2,000!!

 

These guys are less than 1/2 mile from my work. I've seen that white prius parked in their parking lot. It's something I'd consider after our warranty has ended. Right now we're at 20k miles, so it's gonna be a couple more years at least.

 

This looks great! Unfortunately, they don't install and they don't offer to have the hood covered in solar panels as well!! haha

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kdk84 @ Jun 1 2007, 03:17 PM) [snapback]453586[/snapback]</div>

I saw a picture of the battery in the back. You lose a big chunk of your storage space and the ability to put in long/big things inside the car. Too bad. otherwise I would consider it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bestmapman @ Jun 1 2007, 03:21 AM) [snapback]453106[/snapback]</div>

How about the battery pack and a $100.00 battery charger? Better yet, how about using the car's 12Volt auxiliary power outlet to charge the batteries using solar panels or a battery charger?

 

The numbers from the company dont add up at all. They use a 215w panel on the Prius kit. Too bad the MG2 motor uses 50,000w at full power!

If the car was in full sun for 10 hours you would get enough power to run mg2 at half power for 5 mins. Thats assuming NOTHING was lost in the charging/discharging process. That is not going to give you a boost of 25%economy overall. It might give you a boost in mpg on your first few miles but thats it. While it might not fit on the roof yet, solar on the roof would start to get interesting with panels that can make 1000w.

 

215w at 6 hours per day (typical California insolation) would yield 1.3 kWh per day - enough for 6.5 miles EV range per day (2,400 miles per year). It's not much, but it would be good for commuters who don't travel far to work. Remember if you don't use the car one day, the battery still stores what the sun provides for the next day.

 

I predict a year from now you'll not see anything from these guys. Toyota's next generation Prius is our answer to higher mileage.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jim0266 @ Jun 1 2007, 12:46 PM) [snapback]453030[/snapback]</div>

The cycle life of a PbA battery is only about 300 cycles.
You have to replace the battery every year, then the system is not practical.

Ken@Japan

 

It's b.s.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DGCL @ May 31 2007, 11:57 PM) [snapback]453070[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DGCL @ May 31 2007, 11:57 PM) [snapback]453070[/snapback]</div>

I agree with your point. I just bought my Prius and have 65 more months till its paid for. Plenty of time to let the after market ideas mature and costs come down. However, it is interesting to see all the great ideas that Americans are coming up with to solve our energy problem. Once my warranty has expired and the Prius is paid for then maybe some of these ideas will actually be viable alterations that are also affordable.

 

That payback may be for a sunny, southern area, but it would take a lot longer up north. Maybe more like a decade, during which technological advances may render it obsolete.