Once again, Toyota is challenging other manufacturers to bring new innovations to the car industry. Toyota will use solar panels on their Toyota Prius lines in 2009, it appears but not set in stone yet.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/07/2296277.htm

Interesting if true. However it doesnt seem like it will boost MPG significantly if at all. Maybe in future generations it will play a larger role.

It also mentioned that part of that solar power would power the Prius' AC unit too. By doing that, they can free up a lot of resources for a more efficient car.

My neighbors A8 has solar panels that run its air conditioning system. How is Toyota "first" to do this? It is a $790 option from Audi......

I wouldn't be surprised if it's true. I would expect Toyota to use some new innovations on the next-gen Prius. Last year it was actually rumoured that Toyota would equip solar panels on the next-gen Prius, along with an exhaust heat recovery system.

Regarding solar panels, the only question would be durability, for example during severe weather.

My neighbors A8 has solar panels that run its air conditioning system. How is Toyota "first" to do this?Yea, I was just about to bring that up. Its been an option since the mid 1990's on A8's. However, unless they updated the system, it was used to only ventilate the car during hot days (no A/C).

But it would be cool if you could recharge the batteries using solar power instead of plugging it in to an outlet.

My neighbors A8 has solar panels that run its air conditioning system. How is Toyota "first" to do this?

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_A8/A8/Features/options.html

From Audi's website, optional equipment:

Solar sunroof
Operates the fresh air fan to reduce interior temperature when parked in sun

So technically, yes, Toyota would be the first to use solar power for the A/C. The A8 only uses solar power to spin the fresh air fan when parked in the sun. An A/C system is much more energy-intensive than a simple fresh air fan.

Interesting if true. However it doesnt seem like it will boost MPG significantly if at all. Maybe in future generations it will play a larger role.

Overall, using solar panels for the A/C will provide a real and useful improvement in overall vehicle efficiency, even though the Prius has electric A/C. Less electric power needed to run the A/C means that electric power can be used elsewhere, such as the ability to run the vehicle longer with the engine shut off.

here's another link

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080706/bs_nm/toyota_dc_1

My neighbors A8 has solar panels that run its air conditioning system. How is Toyota "first" to do this? It is a $790 option from Audi......

Yours is a solar panel moonroof. And like you said, it'll be used to run the A/C system so the engine doesn't have to run. The Prius will have the roof covered in panels. Presumely to trick charge the battery to supplement regenerative braking; anything to minimise the use of the engine to recharge the battery.

Interesting if true. However it doesnt seem like it will boost MPG significantly if at all. Maybe in future generations it will play a larger role.

maybe not but it's a small step in the right direction. Plus, it can supplement regenerative braking so it's like having a more efficient regenerative braking system except it also works when the car is moving and at a standstill.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's true. I would expect Toyota to use some new innovations on the next-gen Prius. Last year it was actually rumoured that Toyota would equip solar panels on the next-gen Prius, along with an exhaust heat recovery system.

Regarding solar panels, the only question would be durability, for example during severe weather.

I thought the exhaust heat recovery system was on the Estima HSD... or at least a concept on the Estima HSD.

here's another link

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080706/bs_nm/toyota_dc_1



Yours is a solar panel moonroof. And like you said, it'll be used to run the A/C system so the engine doesn't have to run. The Prius will have the roof covered in panels. Presumely to trick charge the battery to supplement regenerative braking; anything to minimise the use of the engine to recharge the battery.


So they aren't first to use solar panels to improve fuel efficiency, they are just the first make the entire roof solar panels to improve efficiency.

I thought the exhaust heat recovery system was on the Estima HSD... or at least a concept on the Estima HSD.

Correct, the Estima hybrid has an exhaust heat recovery system. I simply meant the Prius current does not, but the next-gen is sure to have it. That, along with other new innovations like the rumoured solar panels together should provide a meaningful boost in fuel economy without compromising other things performance.

So they aren't first to use solar panels to improve fuel efficiency, they are just the first make the entire roof solar panels to improve efficiency.

If true, they will be the first to use solar panels to power the A/C unit.

I thought the exhaust heat recovery system was on the Estima HSD... or at least a concept on the Estima HSD.

Any info on how that works? Never heard of it. :thumbup:

Any info on how that works? Never heard of it. :thumbup: I don't know the specifics. I'm thinking it's used as radiant heat to heat the cabin... unless I got it confused with another concept...

TRD, help me out on this please!

Correct, the Estima hybrid has an exhaust heat recovery system. I simply meant the Prius current does not, but the next-gen is sure to have it. That, along with other new innovations like the rumoured solar panels together should provide a meaningful boost in fuel economy without compromising other things performance.

ahh ok. I wonder if they'll keep the thermos system though. It seems none of the other Toyota/Lexus hybrids have them. I don't know if it's because Toyota thought it's not worth the extra cost or because they wanted to make the other cars normal (without having the sound of the coolant pump whenever you turn on/off the car).

So they aren't first to use solar panels to improve fuel efficiency, they are just the first make the entire roof solar panels to improve efficiency.
<shrug>. I didn't make the headlines :p

If true, they will be the first to use solar panels to power the A/C unit.

because they made the whole roof a gigantic solar panel....

solar powered + plug in Prius is doable. the problem is the cost

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJX-sGn5RDo

You are being very vague as there have been numerous solar powered kit cars built by Universities, however, even in terms of commercial vehicles:

With 3.6 sqm of photovoltaic cells giving an exceptional yield of 21%, and covered by a film composed of nano-prisms enabling denser concentration of solar energy, Astrolab is the first high-performance solar and electric car to be commercialised in the world.

http://www.venturi.fr/electric-vehicules-astrolab-concept.html

Once again, Toyota is challenging other manufacturers to bring new innovations to the car industry. Toyota will use solar panels on their Toyota Prius lines in 2009, it appears but not set in stone yet.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/07/2296277.htm

Seems the article might have been titled:


Audi challenges...seems was the first automaker to use solar panels on a production vehicle

Canadian engineer challenges

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/08/solarpoweraugme.html

Solar-Power-Augmented Prius Takes the Grid Out of “Plug-in”
15 August 2005

Lapp’s PV Prius
A Canadian engineer has prototyped a Photovoltaic Prius—a 2001 Prius augmented with roof-top solar panels and an additional battery system to supplement the charge in the original equipment NiMH batteries.
Steve Lapp’s PV Prius is still a rough prototype—a demonstration of concept—but even with the limitations of the systems, he has achieved an initial 10% fuel efficiency improvement from 4.5 l/100km (52 mpg US) to 4.0 l/100km (59 mpg US).

http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/Toyota/concepts/1_x/toyota_1_x_main02.jpg
Toyota to fit solar panels to next-generation Prius

Posted on Monday 7 July 2008


There are already a number of independent firms that will retro-fit solar panels to the roofs of hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius to help extend the car’s electric-only driving range, however, from next year onwards the Prius will be available with the panels direct from the factory. The new Prius is set to be revealed at next year’s Detroit Auto Show before going on sale around April.

According to latest reports, high-end versions of the car will be fitted with solar panels to power ancillary features such as the air conditioning system. The news comes from Japan’s Nikkei economic daily, which also reported that up to 450,000 units of the new Prius will be manufactured next year.

Toyota refused to comment on the report.

Retro-fitting solar panels to the current Prius can yield fuel savings of up to 29% depending on driving style. However, the costs of installing the panels can range from anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000.

Toyota’s next-generation Prius is expected to also receive a larger and more powerful 1.6L engine and will eventually be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Despite being bigger and more powerful, fuel consumption will be improved. Toyota will do this by installing a more efficient powertrain with improved batteries for longer electric-only driving plus a lighter body thanks to extensive use of advanced composites in its construction. The lightweight construction concept was first previewed by the 1/X concept (pictured) from last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
source (http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/toyota/toyota-to-fit-solar-panels-to-next-generation-prius/)

Yea, I was just about to bring that up. Its been an option since the mid 1990's on A8's. However, unless they updated the system, it was used to only ventilate the car during hot days (no A/C).

But it would be cool if you could recharge the batteries using solar power instead of plugging it in to an outlet.

Although it didn't use it for A/C - don't forget the Mazda 929 (1992)- it had solar panels in the moonroof to cool the car while parked. I'm sure it wasn't as sophisticated as the Audi's though...

Any info on how that works? Never heard of it. :thumbup:

The system works by recovering exhaust heat energy and uses it to heat engine coolant. That reduces engine warm-up time and cold starts, improving overall efficiency and fuel economy.

Although it didn't use it for A/C - don't forget the Mazda 929 (1992)- it had solar panels in the moonroof to cool the car while parked. I'm sure it wasn't as sophisticated as the Audi's though...

don't forget walmart sells a solar powered fan you can stick on your windows :p

Toyota will be the first to let the electronic compressor run on solar...DENSO's electric compressor is driven by an integrated motor and is able to provide air conditioning even while the vehicle is stopped. As a result, in hybrid vehicles with engines that automatically shut down when the vehicles stop, the electric compressor provides a comfortable air-conditioned cab environment in addition to fuel efficiency.

So... does this mean that the Prius will be more efficient in sunny places like southern Cali?

So... does this mean that the Prius will be more efficient in sunny places like southern Cali?

In theory yes, but don't forget that solar panels work even when it's cloudy. The sun's rays still penetrate through clouds (although not as strong as on a clear sunny day), even if they're not visible to the human eye.

When it's cloudy though, it typically is not as hot. Thus, it will be very intuitive. The solar panels will work their best when it's very sunny outside, and typically those will be the days where A/C is needed the most.

My neighbors A8 has solar panels that run its air conditioning system. How is Toyota "first" to do this? It is a $790 option from Audi......

I'm sure the toyota option will be quite reliable compared to the audi... :golf:

The solar panels will work their best when it's very sunny outside, and typically those will be the days where A/C is needed the most.

Not so great if you park in a garage. ;) Yes, it will generate juice while driving but with such a small solar array, I'd be surprise if it could run the AC much.

Maybe they should name the new Prius "WALL-E". :D

http://green.yahoo.com/news/nm/20080707/tc_nm/toyota_dc.html

Kentaro Endo, a director at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry who specializes in renewable energy, said the application of solar energy was severely limited in vehicles.

"Even if you laid solar panels out on the entire roof of a house, you only generate enough energy to run two hair dryers," he said.

"It's an interesting idea, but it would be very difficult to power a whole car, even with technological advances."

^^^^ rofl. I present the new, state of the art, solar-powered Prius air conditioning :D

This is very interesting and I'd love to see it become a reality. I have no idea why so many people across so many forums are being so critical about it. It's an excellent idea...

supposedly the electric compressor vs engine driven compressor provides a 19% MPG gain??

http://www.epa.gov/cppd/Presentations/Matsunaga%20electric%20inverter.pdf

Also doesn't this add weight to the roof and car? I know its no performance car but you don't want more weight up top.

I just realized - I forgot - that GM is working to bring this into the fold next year (http://cadillacenthusiastmagazine.com/cadillac-magazine/2008/07/10/the-cadillac-provoq-is-almost-ready/). Though none of the GM fanboys had anything negative to say about it when it was about a Cadillac. This was months ago...

At any rate, I thought there were a couple of vehicles already using solar technology to power accessories. For example, a fan to keep the car cool when it's off and sitting in the sun...

Also doesn't this add weight to the roof and car? I know its no performance car but you don't want more weight up top.

I doubt the panels weigh anything - these are the latest and greatest - I've seen panels as thin as a piece of paper.

http://green.yahoo.com/news/nm/20080707/tc_nm/toyota_dc.html

Kentaro Endo, a director at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry who specializes in renewable energy, said the application of solar energy was severely limited in vehicles.

"Even if you laid solar panels out on the entire roof of a house, you only generate enough energy to run two hair dryers," he said.

"It's an interesting idea, but it would be very difficult to power a whole car, even with technological advances."

This I don't understand. I know someone in CA that has his entire house powered by solar panels and his garage's solar panels are recharging his electric car (RAV4 EV).

A solar panel kit has been out for a while on the current gen Prius (about $5000 if I remember correctly). It's to help supplement the charging system. There's only one company out there that I've seen doing it.

http://www.solatecllc.com (I think it's this one, blocked at work... lol)

Definitely a step in the right direction. Hopefully it's cost effective.

I know someone in CA that has his entire house powered by solar panels and his garage's solar panels are recharging his electric car (RAV4 EV).

Great, they spent $50K to save $200 a month. That's a LONG ROI. :p

Plus, California is unique in that many places you really don't need air conditioning which solar is NOT going to power.

Great, they spent $50K to save $200 a month. That's a LONG ROI. :p

Plus, California is unique in that many places you really don't need air conditioning which solar is NOT going to power.
lol. I thought you guys got subsidies. I think it's closer to $30k.