Next Prius could include optional "symbolic" solar panels
Toyota isn't officially commenting on Reuters' report that the next generation of Prius hybrid cars will have optional solar panels on the top, a feature the story's source is calling "more of a symbolic gesture." The panels are rumored to partially power auxiliary systems like air conditioning.
It's a symbolic gesture since the silicon solar panels will be fairly expensive to produce — it will certainly take a few years before they harvest enough energy to outweigh their initial materials cost.
But like the Prius itself, which is only slightly more fuel efficient than other small gas-powered vehicles (especially when you factor in things like turbo diesels), the symbolism of the gesture doesn't necessarily make it a fruitless one. Putting solar cells on the Prius, even relatively expensive or inefficient ones, will inject the notion into the mass market. As cheaper cells become more available and more physically flexible, it wouldn't be surprising to see increasing surface area dedicated to solar cells.
Toyota to add solar panels to some Prius hybrids [Guardian.co.uk via Jalopnik]
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I care about the environment and believe that early usage of alternative energy solutions is good because it sponsors an industry that will continue to perfect the technology. Still, I don't get the idea of injecting the notion into the mass market if it doesn't actually make sense financially or environmentally. If it is really just a symobolic gesture, isn't it a gross misuse of manufacturing potential and thereby the opposite of green?
I think it'll still end up being carbon neutral compared to burning gasoline, but just breaking even, not exceeding. That's fine by me.
With regards to "But like the Prius itself, which is only slightly more fuel efficient than other small gas-powered vehicles": Ah, I see the Prius has reached the third stage. (Stage one: "It's physically impossible." Stage two: "It'll never be cost-effective." Stage three: "It doesn't work as well as people say it does.")
A Prius-- like any other hybrid-- does not, in fact, get significantly better mileage when going for 55 MPH for hours at a time than any other reasonably streamlined automobile with a smallish internal combustion engine. It does get significantly better mileage when it's constantly accelerating and decelerating-- as in city driving, or freeway driving with frequent slowdowns and outright traffic jams. IC engines are most efficient when running near 100% capacity; everyone's known this for decades; hybrids exploit this. It ain't rocket science. (Admitted, that's not the only source of additional efficiency-- the batteries enable storage of energy recovered from regenerative braking-- but it's the main one.)
Hence, unless your daily commute is from Kansas to Iowa...
I get your point, #3, but you're slightly missing mine: I'm not saying the Prius doesn't work as well as Toyota says it does. I'm simply saying that it's only somewhat (I avoided saying "marginally") more efficient than the small number of high-efficiency traditional internal combustion-only cars. Which is true. Doesn't make the Prius an albatross at all!
I've always thought solar panels would be perfect for powering the venting of my car during the heat of summer. It really doesn't need to be a sauna in there all day whenever the sun is out.
@2: Yeah, I'm with you.
I guess my fundamental argument is that I'd prefer we encourage folks to think through their lifestyle and limit their impact on the environment where it makes most sense rather than blindly encourage folks to buy the cool Prius because it is trendy. Anyhoo, as I said above, the early adopters are inspiring an industry that can only help in the long run so that's very good.
one other point is that in a car weight = waste. if you are going to load up the car with heavy(?) panels you might as well buy the car and leave the panels at home where the can be oriented properly, work every hour that the sun shines and not decrease the efficiency of the vehicle.
the same panels will generate more energy and the car will use no extra gas.
Two thoughts:
G Word
"Nano Wires"
Troy Casey leans how to have an environmentally friendly afterlife, and Joel Johnson takes us to a Canadian company growing microscopic nano wires that may be the future of solar power.
1. That was a good segment and worth catching for those interested in solar (or stalking Joel).
2. The expensive, bad-ass Fiskar already has this.
Self-contained climate control through a full-length solar roof to help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin while the car is parked.
Heh, W000T. I've never seen any of my G Word segments. I'm moving and unhooked the DVR!
@Icky2000 #6:
The problem is that most humans are not deep thinkers, nor hair-shirts so they have to be convinced that doing "the right thing" is going to be fun and sexy and not require them to do things like only eating BocaBurgers from now on. Eco-piety might work for you, me and the 3 other people on the planet like us, but everybody else needs a gateway drug...
@Otter:
My dad bought one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Trillium-Worldwide-TWI-7001-Solar-Powered-Ventilator/dp/B0007LXTN2/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_b
Problem: the solar cells sit *behind* the windows, so in a car with tinted windows, it doesn't work at all.
Also, the motor seems pretty weak, so it didn't really seem to make a noticeable difference, although we didn't do a proper before/after analysis with a thermometer.
This newer version appears to have the cells outside the window, which I suppose might work better. http://www.amazon.com/AC011106-Solar-Powered-Ventilation-System/dp/B000GTHU12/ref=pd_sim_auto_1
The other issue is that the device requires a .5" gap as it hangs over your window, so at least the version we used came with some lame plastic inserts designed to clip to the top of the window to "close the gap" around the fan, which presumably improves airflow efficiency.
There's a $6 DIY version that supposedly works ok: http://www.instructables.com/id/$6-Solar-Fan/