Next Prius option: Solar Power
Solar powered ACWhen the next generation Toyota Prius goes on sale next year, Toyota will offer a new solar option to power the AC. According to Yahoo, Kyocera will supply solar panels for high end Prius hybrids as an option. No word yet on much the option will cost.
Labels: toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:13 AM
7 Comments:
Solar panels aren't very efficient. Yet, they definitely need bigger batteries.
again, this is just for AC power, so extra batteries would not be needed.
Prius' AC is very smart and energy efficient. There is a sunlight sensor that adjusts accordingly (if you roll under the shade, it lowers the cool air blowing). It also has the variable compressor to run at only the necessary speed. Therefore, once the desire temp is reached, it will take little energy to maintain it.
the article i referenced implies that Toyota doesn't believe the solar cells will offer much of a performance increase, or energy savings, but its a way for consumers to invest in solar while increasing the efficiency of their hybrids a little. 'symbolic gesture' i think they called it.
How much does AC consume? I suppose up to 1 kwt. This is less than a solar panel could provide. Hence, it makes sense to store energy while the car is parked outside. In fact, in this case you need much more power to cool your car. It doesn't make sense to use solar panels when driving only.
lb hit the nail on the head. Don't insult our intelligence by saying "the technology is not there yet"...BS if a whole subculture of nerds can turn there 2004 Prius' into plug-ins then why is toyota only "talking" about it?
Toyota spends more time worrying about how to justify the 3k markups on sticker that dealers are charging on hybrids then it does improving the product for main street consumption.
why is every automaker only talking about it?
saying toyota isn't doing enough with its hybrid technology is a little silly when they are doing far more with their hybrid technology than any other automaker.
as dan neil of the LA Times stated in who killed the electric car 'if gm (or any other automaker) could make a profit selling a car that ran on pig sh!t, they would.
the problems with plug-ins are risk and cost. converting a prius into a plug-in is irrelevant. unless you can build millions of them without any serious problems in even one vehicle is the real trick. that's the only way major automakers can develop and produce any automobile at a profit.
btw - toyota doesn't add a markup to the prius, independent dealerships do and not every toyota dealership does this. part of the dealership contract of almost any major automaker enables dealers to have some control over pricing - even below the MSRP of the manufacturer, as the Prius was selling for just a few months ago in most markets.
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