Are the solar panels on the roof just a gimik to get all the tree huggers to buy it, or are they actually a good, efficent design?
The solar panel option is for running a ventilation system while the Prius is parked outdoors, so the sun won't heat up the interior. Personally I think it's a good idea, especially if your car has leather seats-- There is nothing more unpleasant than getting into a car with leather seats that has been sitting in the sun for hours with the windows closed. Many a people in shorts have their thighs scalded on the leather seats that way. The solar panels are a luxury option, not standard equipment on the Prius. I think luxury cars like Mercedes and Cadillacs with leather interiors can use a system like that.
treehuggers already want priuses. the solar panel is meant to run an electric ac system that cool's the prius if the car gets too hot inside. its nice, but personaly, i'd rather have it charge the battery.
The solar panels run the fan to remove hot air from the car. They do about the same amount of cooling that cracking the windows and using a heatshield over the windshield--that is they keep the interior of the car about the same as the exterior without draining the 2V battery. One problem I have with the solar panels is that they come with a moonroof. The other problem I have with them is that to get them you have to give up the additional safety features because Toyota won't put both the high tech safety features and the solar panels on the same car. So is it a good design? Well, nothing with a sun/moonroof is a good design IMHO, but that's the power of advertising for you. In that it runs a fan without draining the 2V battery, yes that part's good. Having to give up the high tech safety features to get it makes it a non-starter for me (and I live where it gets plenty hot so I could really use the fan).
