The new prius models will have solar panels built by sharp thin films that are around 0 001 inches thick.
Prius solar panel option.
There are two ways you can use the toyota prius solar roof feature.
What is the solar panel roof feature.
Solar panels located on the roof of your new toyota prius absorb the sun s rays and use that absorbed solar energy to power the vehicle s ventilation system.
This allows the plug in prius to receive a full charge on solar power.
The first method involves an available remote air conditioning system that is packaged with the solar roof feature.
Toyota has said that it didn t connect the previous 2000 prius solar panel option directly to the engine because it caused radio interference with the car s stereo.
The maximum amount of power for driving lasts only about 4.
The solar cells which are being manufactured by sharp are.
So while your prius is parked in the sun it is actually storing energy and powering the ventilation system and fan maintaining a cooler temperature on the interior of your vehicle.
Toyota will start testing a new solar roof for the prius that it says can add as much as 44 5 km of range to the plug in hybrid a day.
Only so much electricity output can come from a solar car roof at this point in time but the prius prime s new solar roof still packs a punch.
With solar panels that thin toyota has the flexibility to add them to not only the car s.
In reality not much power.
By connecting a 12v bucking transformer in series with the inverter output it reduces the prius charging current to under 11a which the inverter can handle.
According to toyota the solar roof option atop the prius prime will boost each vehicle s efficiency by as much as ten percent.
The toyota prius solar panel roof feature is an impressive feature in an already class leading hybrid vehicle.
A prius plug in hybrid that sells for more than 28 000 offers solar panels as an option but they charge the battery only when parked.