5/19/09 - New Prius Debuts with Kyocera's Solar Cells - techon.nikkeibp.co.jp

[c0mp13x]

Source article with more pictures: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090519/170318

New Prius Debuts with Kyocera's Solar Cells

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090519/170318/2A.jpg
The solar cell panel mounted on the roof of the new Prius


May 19, 2009 18:05
Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices

Polycrystalline Si solar cells manufactured by Kyocera Corp are used for the solar panel that comes as an option for the new Prius, which Toyota Motor Corp announced May 18, 2009, in Japan.

The solar panel is composed of a total of 36 cells arranged in six rows and six columns. Each cell is half the size of the standard 15 x 15cm cell. With a cell conversion efficiency of 16.5%, the maximum output of the entire panel reaches fifty-odd watts. The portions where three bus bars are believed to exist were covered with a black component.

Electricity generated by the solar cells directly drives the ventilation fan.

"At first, we came up with a design to charge a battery," a system demonstrator said. "But we gave up the idea because repeated charging and discharging may deteriorate the battery."

Toyota chose to use a polycrystalline Si solar cell because it was cheaper than other solar cells. The "solar panel moonroof" option, which integrates a solar panel and a sunroof, is priced at "about ¥200,000" (approx US$2,076), according to the demonstrator.

There were no major problems in adopting the solar cell, according to Toyota. For example, even when the new Prius was running on an undulant terrain, which vibrated the car, the solar cells were not cracked or detached, the company said. The solar cell has durability required for automobiles.

However, when it comes to the vehicle design, the shape of the roof had to be changed to install the solar panel. The standard model of the new Prius, which is not equipped with a solar panel, employs the "Pagoda roof" with a depressed center portion. The depressed roof reduces the frontal projected area, diminishing air resistance.

On the other hand, it is difficult to depress a solar panel whose surface is covered with glass. As a result, the frontal projected area of the Prius with the solar panel is larger than that of the standard model.

"There is no major difference in air resistance between the Pagoda roof and the solar panel moonroof," said a demonstrator who is in charge of the roof design.
:thumbsup:

[speculawyer]

Electricity generated by the solar cells directly drives the ventilation fan.

"At first, we came up with a design to charge a battery," a system demonstrator said. "But we gave up the idea because repeated charging and discharging may deteriorate the battery."
Just a ventilation fan? Seems kinda pointless . . . especially for $2000+.

Can't they get it to help provide power for other things while operating the vehicle? Things like AC.

[KarenRei]

50W isn't going to go all that far toward the AC. Even the EV-1's low setting took, what, 400W? And that was a much smaller car.

[gistmarrs]

One thing that amazes me with that picture is the roof mounted antenna. Why can't they mount that in one of the pillars? My '97 Mercedes did not have an exposed antenna, they should be able to do that today.

[Tamerlin]

One thing that amazes me with that picture is the roof mounted antenna. Why can't they mount that in one of the pillars? My '97 Mercedes did not have an exposed antenna, they should be able to do that today.

On that topic, where is the Aptera's antenna?

[c0mp13x]

Just a ventilation fan? Seems kinda pointless . . . especially for $2000+.
True... but expect Aptera to also make and price the solar cell/fan option around this number. Paul Wilbur has stated in casual conversation that the solar cell/fan option will be expensive. As cool as it was on the original Typ-1, Aptera HAD to make it optional to keep the base price down.

:thumbsup:

[kerbe]

On that topic, where is the Aptera's antenna?

Interesting...

They keep referring to the touch screen as an "infotainment" system -- but we haven't seen any speakers, either...

[KarenRei]

I believe in one video or interview, they stated that the antenna is in an A-pillar... although I could be mis-remembering.

[danieloneil01]

I believe in one video or interview, they stated that the antenna is in an A-pillar... although I could be mis-remembering.


Ok Roger...

[kerbe]

I found this pretty interesting...

http://www.consumerenergyreport.com/2009/02/26/chevy-volt-to-debut-bose-energy-efficient-sound-system/

But then, I also read an article in which it was stated that the LED taillights in the new Prius cut the car's energy usage by 88% -- which I'm thinking probably meant the TAILLIGHT energy usage, and not the entire vehicle...

:o)

[Ardie3301]

Okay, I just checked my 10" desk fan, and its 55 watts. It can really move a bunch of air, too.

I don't know it the 2e will actually need this kind of power. I'd say it could get by with a lot less, especially if the side windows were tinted, the windows cracked open about an inch, and a sunshade placed across the windshield's dashboard.

It's probably too late now, but Aptera probably could've made the front dashboard the solar panel. Inside, it wouldn't have to be exposed to the elements, and you wouldn't need heavy glass to cover it (you already have the glass windshield). With the raked windshiled of the 2e, I'd guess that you could put out 10 watts, easy -- as long as you park in the right direction, and you park on the roof of the parking lot structure (which is kinda counter-intuitive).

Would 10 watts be enough to keep the inside of a 2e cool in the summertime? Well, since you can trot right out and get a 10 watt solar powered attic fan, so I'd say thats a "yes."
(see http://store.sundancesolar.com/sofanwi10was.html)

The drawbacks? Probably undue dashboard glare from the solar panels. And no cute stuffed toys on the dash.

-- Ardie

PS: With the 2e's composite body, the antenna can be molded in just about anywhere, but it helps if the antenna is oriented vertically, so the windhsield, A-pillar, or rear deck makes the most sense. Since its more expensive to put the antenna into the glass, I can see where the windshield is ruled out. And, since it would take more wiring to route it forward from the rear of the vehicle, I can see where the rear deck is ruled out. That leaves the A-pillar. As long as the reception is okay what with the door wiring to the latch and window motor nearby, that would be the location of choice.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello Ardie,

The other trick with putting the PV panel inside the car, is that it is the infrared light that does the most in the panel, and that's the part that the window glass is coated to exclude.

[SEGsby]

I thought the antenna was located in the rooftop camera mount / fin? :apterarear:

[c0mp13x]

Surprising demand for the Prius solar roof option: http://www.allaboutprius.com/blog/1034110_2010-toyota-prius-solar-sunroof-smash-success-hard-to-get

2010 Toyota Prius: Solar Sunroof Smash Success, Hard To Get

http://images.thecarconnection.com/sml/2010-toyota-prius-solar-moonroof_100178339_s.jpg

By now, anyone who's shopping for a 2010 Toyota Prius knows that Toyota's newest hybrid is a smash hit.

Global demand is high, the company is making as many cars as it can get battery packs for, and the US Cash-for-Clunkers program has boosted sales of the new hybrid even above already-high demand for the redesigned 2010 model.

But the company got caught off-guard in another way, too: The solar moonroof option has been far more popular than Toyota expected, and buyers have ordered it at rates much higher than the company had imagined.

Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, told last week's Automotive Briefing Seminars for industry executives that Toyota had expected a "take rate" of 2 to 3 percent. The actual figure? "Demand has been running closer to 12 percent," Lentz said.

The photovoltaic solar cells in the optional roof run ventilation fans that pull hot air out of the car's interior while it's parked, reducing the load on the air conditioning when the driver returns. That cuts fuel consumption and improves gas mileage.

In some areas of the US, the 2010 Toyota Prius is now essentially sold out. The 2010 Prius, in fact, is the fourth most-popular vehicle purchased under the US government's "Cash for Clunkers" plan, and its sales have soared since that plan started in late July.

Toyota executives now say US sales will be in the range of 130,000 to 140,000 vehicles for the first 12 months, short of 2007's sales record of 180,000-plus deliveries. They blame capacity constraints and global demand.

[evmavin]

I found this pretty interesting...

http://www.consumerenergyreport.com/2009/02/26/chevy-volt-to-debut-bose-energy-efficient-sound-system/

But then, I also read an article in which it was stated that the LED taillights in the new Prius cut the car's energy usage by 88% -- which I'm thinking probably meant the TAILLIGHT energy usage, and not the entire vehicle...

:o)
Changing to LED's on all lights is like saving two blocks of range at best- pointless other than life and response rate.

[grantb3]

Interesting...

They keep referring to the touch screen as an "infotainment" system -- but we haven't seen any speakers, either...

OMG... please don't be Bose.

[KarenRei]

Changing to LED's on all lights is like saving two blocks of range at best- pointless other than life and response rate.

Yeah... until we close the "green gap", they're going to be hard to mainstream. The efficiency gains are marginal.

Well, at least as far as human eyes are concerned. Plants love red and blue, so they're really digging my LED grow room. ;)

[kerbe]

Surprising demand for the Prius solar roof option: http://www.allaboutprius.com/blog/1034110_2010-toyota-prius-solar-sunroof-smash-success-hard-to-get

Then why did they halt construction on the Prius factory being built in Mississippi?