Why does the new 200 Toyota Prius have solar panels at the top of the vehicle?
This Site Might Help You. RE: Solar Panels in the 200 Toyota Prius? Why does the new 200 Toyota Prius have solar panels at the top of the vehicle?
Hi, the solar powered-venting system is not air conditioning, it is simply a venting system to attempt to balance the interior temperature of the Prius with the outside temp when the interior of the Prius is at least 68 degrees. This is an optional system and is available as a stand-alone option for $800.00 or $3600.00 in conjunction with the navigation system. The solar roof is integrated into a full function sunroof, but the sunroof can be opened without using the solar venting portion. There is a separate portion of the system that will allow the driver to turn on the electric AC for three minutes, if there is enough stored charge in the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) hybrid battery. The AC is not linked to the lead acid battery, and is run by the NiMH only, not the gas engine. The NiMH and lead acid are two separate power systems. The solar panels do not power anything else in the Prius and do not boost the power to any of the systems. The solar venting does permit less energy from the NiMH to be utilized for AC at the next startup. For trivia, the EPA will not allow Toyota to install the solar venting system on Prius with the top package V (#5). The EPA feels the Prius is too top heavy with all the additional sensors required for the radar guided cruise control and all the other high tech components in the top end option package, just FYI.
The solar panel powers the fan in the solar-powered ventilation system. The ventilation system helps to keep your car cool while parked out in the sun. If your car is cooler, then when you get into it after parking somewhere the AC won't have to work quite so hard to get you comfy when you start your car. Less AC use means less hybrid battery use (since the hybrid battery powers the AC), which means that your gasoline engine will run less (to recharge the hybrid battery), meaning better fuel economy for you.
