Get your Prius Solar Roof Panel ordered !!!
#1
12-07-2005, 08:47 AM
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Get your Prius Solar Roof Panel ordered !!!
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/12/07/162738.html
Hey Prius guys/gals, be the first on your block to get a 10% MPG boost for only $2195.00 !!
Hey Prius guys/gals, be the first on your block to get a 10% MPG boost for only $2195.00 !!
New Solar Panels for Hybrid Cars Improve MPG
WELLS, Nev., Dec. 7, 2005 -- Solatec LLC(TM) is pleased to introduce flexible, rooftop-mounted Solar Panels for Hybrid Vehicles, starting with a kit for the 2004-2006 Toyota Prius. The $2,195 kits will be available nationwide through dealer franchises.
A prototype has been operating in the Northeast for several months under mixed driving conditions. With Solatec panels installed on the roof, the prototype SolaPrius(R) averages 55 MPG city and 62 MPG highway - an overall 10 percent improvement over the pre-installation numbers.* All-season testing is in progress.
Solatec's photovoltaic kit (patents applied for) adds two flexible, conformal panels that charge the hybrid automobile's auxiliary battery through a proprietary charger/current-limiter system concealed behind interior trim panels. The self-adhesive, rooftop-mounted panels are only 0.6mm thick and cause no change in aerodynamic drag.
WELLS, Nev., Dec. 7, 2005 -- Solatec LLC(TM) is pleased to introduce flexible, rooftop-mounted Solar Panels for Hybrid Vehicles, starting with a kit for the 2004-2006 Toyota Prius. The $2,195 kits will be available nationwide through dealer franchises.
A prototype has been operating in the Northeast for several months under mixed driving conditions. With Solatec panels installed on the roof, the prototype SolaPrius(R) averages 55 MPG city and 62 MPG highway - an overall 10 percent improvement over the pre-installation numbers.* All-season testing is in progress.
Solatec's photovoltaic kit (patents applied for) adds two flexible, conformal panels that charge the hybrid automobile's auxiliary battery through a proprietary charger/current-limiter system concealed behind interior trim panels. The self-adhesive, rooftop-mounted panels are only 0.6mm thick and cause no change in aerodynamic drag.
#2
12-07-2005, 09:51 AM
Re: Get your Prius Solar Roof Panel ordered !!!
This kit develops 30 watts, that's about 0.04 horsepower (when the sun shines). Since we use several horsepower on average while driving, I don't think this kit would provide much help. Maybe the reason for their good MPG numbers is they are in Nevada (desert, flat) and they are going slow. For 30 watts to make a 10% difference would mean that we, on average only use 0.4 horsepower (that would run a bike at 20 MPH on the flat).
JeffD
JeffD
Last edited by jdenenberg; 12-07-2005 at 09:53 AM. Reason: spelling -- oops
#3
12-07-2005, 09:55 AM
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Re: Get your Prius Solar Roof Panel ordered !!!
Actually, the car they reported mileage gain on is in "the Northeast".
Regardless, talk about a LONG payback time for the solar investment!!! Maybe 20 years?
Regardless, talk about a LONG payback time for the solar investment!!! Maybe 20 years?
#7
12-07-2005, 11:18 AM
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Re: Get your Prius Solar Roof Panel ordered !!!
Originally Posted by jdenenberg
This kit develops 30 watts, that's about 0.04 horsepower (when the sun shines). Since we use several horsepower on average while driving, I don't think this kit would provide much help. Maybe the reason for their good MPG numbers is they are in Nevada (desert, flat) and they are going slow. For 30 watts to make a 10% difference would mean that we, on average only use 0.4 horsepower (that would run a bike at 20 MPH on the flat).
Its a neat (not financially sound) idea, definately for people who aren't limited by funding and have their Prius as much for a hobby as for transportation.
I think there are enough people who've bought Prius's (for more than cost effectiveness) who could afford this and might indulge themselves. Maybe the company can carve out a market. I hope they do.
Scott
#8
12-07-2005, 11:26 AM
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Re: Get your Prius Solar Roof Panel ordered !!!
This may not be a bad idea when coupled with an engine block heater. During those nice sunny winter days, while you work, you could run a small block heater off the solar panel and at least get some pre-heat before going home for day. I don't think you would need any power inverter, probably just connect the block heater directly to the panel but be sure you don't exceed the rated power.
#9
12-07-2005, 11:43 AM
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Re: Get your Prius Solar Roof Panel ordered !!!
panels that charge the hybrid automobile's auxiliary battery through a proprietary charger/current-limiter system
You can buy 15 watt panels for less than $150 and you should be able to fit at least 3 on the roof of a Prius. I think the Prius I that had solar panels at least has a few hundred watts of peak power to charge the main battery. This sounds like a much inferior setup for a huge amount of moolah.
