Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius - Page 2

Clownzilla · 07-07-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

Solar panels on the volt would be awesome

How about also adding some airinlets that turn windmills that can recharge the batteries as well.

Well, GM needs to one-up Toyota by making a car that runs on pessimism. These cars driven by us Americans would get AMAZING gas mileage.

PRO_USA1776 · 07-07-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

"Air inlets for little windmills?"

Not to be rude, but did you ever take basic physics? Unless you have a perpetual motion machine? Law of Conservation of Energy - might want to check it out!

johnstarnes · 07-07-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afireinside7710

wouldnt the solar panels just heat the car up even more?

How would electricity-generating solar cells on the roof of the car heat the interior?

Sal Collaziano · 07-07-2008, 10:27 AM

Why would anyone on earth COMPLAIN about a car having solar power for certain amenities? Some people are ridiculous.

sdotjoe · 07-07-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Why would anyone on earth COMPLAIN about a car having solar power for certain amenities? Some of you people are ridiculous.

Because its a Toyota, duh.

Uzzy · 07-07-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clownzilla

Well, GM needs to one-up Toyota by making a car that runs on pessimism. These cars driven by us Americans would get AMAZING gas mileage.

Those cars would certainly be capable of eleventy zillion MPG.

burningsquirrel · 07-07-2008, 10:41 AM

ever seen a solar powered "car?" those panels won't do jack. better than nothing, but people will blow it out of proportion and call it a solar car.

KingElvis · 07-07-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Solar panel's my bu tt. This is really getting tacky.

Brilliant reply MB. Remarkably lucid and articulate. We can always rely on you to propose the reactionary take on just about any sign of progress.

Saturn69 · 07-07-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by member12

That's great if it never gets dark or cloudy where you live.

Dude, you didn't even try to sound 'on the ball' with that post. These panels are meant for trickle charging while the vehicle is parked, not as the sole means of power. Oy vey.

hpatrick · 07-07-2008, 11:02 AM

Toyota is working on the third generation of the Prius, and it might have solar panels. Where as some loose reports are saying that the Beat could be four years out. Come on gm get you head out of the SUV's tailpipe and do something. I love Gm but they are making it really difficult.

cincygoblue · 07-07-2008, 11:07 AM

"Power part of the AC system"? Seriously, a trickle charge like this would do what? Save 0.05 gallons of gas an hour, when parked in the sun? Wouldn't the environmental impact of designing, manufacturing and installing these panels FAR outweigh ANY savings? Seems like eventually Toyota should take a hit for more "environmental publicity stunts" than "environmental savings ideas".

New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66 · 07-07-2008, 11:08 AM

Great, just another thing for the people who can afford these "high-end" Priuses to feel smug about. I wonder how much damage to the environment is caused by building these solar panels. These are the same assholes who then destroy the rainforest with the $7 lattes in their cardboard cups. I already don't give a **** about the environment, so I'm not a hypocrite.

****, why stop there? Why not have a tube that connects into your ass to absorb those healthy morning farts to help power the gasoline engine.

**BigAls87Z28** · 07-07-2008, 11:32 AM

A good idea for sure, but Im not sure of cost benifits, or any electrical benifits that would help recharge the car. This would be good to help keep a fresh charge on batteries while it was parked, or in the case of the Volt, help charge up the batteries in a parking lot if there is no plug in feature. I dont know how much it could recharge, dont know how strong the solar pannels are in relation to charging from an electrical connection. Im sure you couldnt get a 100% charge, but if lets say you drove 30 miles in your Volt, parking it downtown in the Village in NYC, there is no where to plug it in, could the solar pannels charge it up after 3-4 hrs enough to get you home, instead of running 10 miles and then turn on the ICE?

ph39 · 07-07-2008, 11:34 AM

Sounds neat - but in reality a solar panel will probably not add enough power to pay for the added weight for it and the electronics.

A 40 watt panel (about 2 feet by 2 feet) in the direct sun for 5 hours will give about the same charge as plugging in the charger (assuming a 1500 watt charger) for about 8 MINUTES - which is probably good for a couple hundred feet. Even if you extended the size to cover the whole roof, trunk, and hood, and if it added nothing in weight - you probably wouldn't get more than a mile in charge for a whole day of sitting in the sun.

Z16monte · 07-07-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

How would electricity-generating solar cells on the roof of the car heat the interior?

When I park it out inthe sun to take advantage of all the free energy instead of in a parking garage or under a tree to take advantage of the shade, so the interior of my car doesn't approach the temprearature of the sun after working 8 hrs
Ed

07-07-2008, 10:27 AM	#19 (permalink)
Sal Collaziano 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Drives: 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007 Chrysler 300C Posts: 2,094	Re: Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius Why would anyone on earth COMPLAIN about a car having solar power for certain amenities? Some people are ridiculous. __________________ --> Millions of car and truck videos! --> allcarvideos.com __________________ Cadillac Magazine / Buick / Pontiac / Hyundai Genesis / Chevy Last edited by Sal Collaziano : 07-07-2008 at 10:30 AM.

07-07-2008, 10:41 AM	#22 (permalink)
burningsquirrel 2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 150	Re: Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius ever seen a solar powered "car?" those panels won't do jack. better than nothing, but people will blow it out of proportion and call it a solar car. __________________ '69 Nova, Street Machine '01 Z28 LS1, Freeway Flier '07 Sky Redline Turbo 5spd

07-07-2008, 11:02 AM	#25 (permalink)
hpatrick Walking Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	Re: Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius Toyota is working on the third generation of the Prius, and it might have solar panels. Where as some loose reports are saying that the Beat could be four years out. Come on gm get you head out of the SUV's tailpipe and do something. I love Gm but they are making it really difficult.

07-07-2008, 11:07 AM	#26 (permalink)
cincygoblue 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,085	Re: Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius "Power part of the AC system"? Seriously, a trickle charge like this would do what? Save 0.05 gallons of gas an hour, when parked in the sun? Wouldn't the environmental impact of designing, manufacturing and installing these panels FAR outweigh ANY savings? Seems like eventually Toyota should take a hit for more "environmental publicity stunts" than "environmental savings ideas". __________________ Highest Average Fuel Economy by Division 1. Mini..............27.66 mpg 2. Honda...........23.81 mpg 3. Chevrolet....23.36 mpg 4. Lotus............22.33 mpg 5. Volkswagen....22.21 mpg 6. Pontiac........22.20 mpg 7. Saturn.........22.14 mpg 8. Kia................21.80 mpg 9. Suzuki...........21.77 mpg 10. Toyota.........21.60 mpg Model averaged - Not sales volume weighted Source: http://autos.aol.com/article/green/_...11132109990002

07-07-2008, 11:08 AM	#27 (permalink)
New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA (formerly sunny New Mexico (y muchacho lo falto)) Drives: '02 Corvette Z06, '01 Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab, 19 Posts: 5,674	Re: Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius Great, just another thing for the people who can afford these "high-end" Priuses to feel smug about. I wonder how much damage to the environment is caused by building these solar panels. These are the same assholes who then destroy the rainforest with the $7 lattes in their cardboard cups. I already don't give a ** about the environment, so I'm not a hypocrite. , why stop there? Why not have a tube that connects into your ass to absorb those healthy morning farts to help power the gasoline engine. __________________ 1979 Chevy Van 1978 Pontiac Firebird 1985 GMC S-15 Jimmy 1992 Pontiac Grand Am 1998 Oldmobile Intrigue 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 1972 Chevrolet C-10 P/U 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab "Sometimes you gotta say, 'What the *****'. "What the ******* gives you freedom, freedom creates opportunity, ... opportunity - makes your future." - 'Risky Business' 1983

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07-07-2008, 11:32 AM	#28 (permalink)
BigAls87Z28 GMI Mod/Camaro Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,541	Re: Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius A good idea for sure, but Im not sure of cost benifits, or any electrical benifits that would help recharge the car. This would be good to help keep a fresh charge on batteries while it was parked, or in the case of the Volt, help charge up the batteries in a parking lot if there is no plug in feature. I dont know how much it could recharge, dont know how strong the solar pannels are in relation to charging from an electrical connection. Im sure you couldnt get a 100% charge, but if lets say you drove 30 miles in your Volt, parking it downtown in the Village in NYC, there is no where to plug it in, could the solar pannels charge it up after 3-4 hrs enough to get you home, instead of running 10 miles and then turn on the ICE? __________________ Any Inside Info? Questions or Coments? Ideas? Email me at BigAl@GMInsidenews.com 1993 Caprice 9C1 1987 Camaro Z28 1972 Camaro RS

07-07-2008, 11:34 AM	#29 (permalink)
ph39 2.2 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 72	Re: Toyota to add solar panels to next-gen Prius Sounds neat - but in reality a solar panel will probably not add enough power to pay for the added weight for it and the electronics. A 40 watt panel (about 2 feet by 2 feet) in the direct sun for 5 hours will give about the same charge as plugging in the charger (assuming a 1500 watt charger) for about 8 MINUTES - which is probably good for a couple hundred feet. Even if you extended the size to cover the whole roof, trunk, and hood, and if it added nothing in weight - you probably wouldn't get more than a mile in charge for a whole day of sitting in the sun.

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