Comments on: Next Generation Prius Sports Rooftop Solar Panels as an Option

By: Chrstian

Chrstian — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:50:25 +0000

I bought a 2010 with the solar panels because i believe in solar and I want to support technology I believe with my dollars.

It works great. The panels keep the interior no warner than the ambient air temperature outside the car. I get a sunroof to boot.

By: ecodelta

ecodelta — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:49:25 +0000

A solar panel in the roof is clearly not sufficient to provide enough energy to move the car.
But maintaining the car at a comfortable temperature when parked in the sun it is not only convenient but also spare some energy.
No need to have the air conditioner at full power when start driving the car again.

By: Francesca Johnson

Francesca Johnson — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:36:57 +0000

I have a Prius and live in Arizona. I get about 3 MPG less in the summer than the winter because AC is a necessity here then. Most shopping parking lots do not have covered areas so that is where solar panels would be most useful. But most people only park there for an hour at the most. Office lots, where cars are parked longer, tend to have covered parking. The best solution in areas like Phoenix is to add shaded parking to open lots and put solar panels on the canopy roofs. Eventually we’ll have hybrids that are truly “next generation” and they could be plugged into the shade structures. Shade and power – problem solved.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:31:06 +0000

If the car is sitting in the sun all day and you are only going to drive it 15 miles/day 1 kw is probably enough power for an all electric ride. Most days I only drive about 10 miles.