A simple solar upgrade idea!

civicracer32 · 08-01-2007, 11:55 AM

Why not have a small solar panel that sits (integrated) on the dash or the back window that has just enough size to top off the battery pack while parked at work throughout the day?

Or how bout a fold out plug in unit that stows in the behind the passenger seat in the seat pocket, and can be positioned on the dash or rear decklid and plugged into a socket located near the 12v accessory outlet under the stereo or another socket on the rear decklid?

This would increase MPG as it would reduce forced charging events and increase assist. This would not increase EPA estimated mileage but would increase real world mileage and customer satisfaction. One of my gripes and lack of initial satisfaction was that I didn't see full charge on the battery pack for nearly a week after buying it!

Now I would really like to see something like this, and I'd be willing to buy it as a factory option for $500 more!!!

Dave

jeremy0203 · 08-01-2007, 09:16 PM

so you want like an electrical source to aid in engine use hmmmmm isnt that called a hybrid

projekt1 · 08-01-2007, 09:27 PM

actually, ive seen this done on HMVEE's. they have a tiny solar panel on the hood so that if some 'joe' leaves the switch in the on position it doesnt kill the battery. ive seen it sometimes not work though. im assuming not too much $$ and thought was put into its design and integration with the battery pack..... but it is possible.

3pac2k6 · 08-01-2007, 11:24 PM

high end audis have solar panels integrated in the sun roof that power your a/c when it is parked. You never have to get into a hot audi again...

**CameronJr9** · 08-01-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3pac2k6

high end audis have solar panels integrated in the sun roof that power your a/c when it is parked. You never have to get into a hot audi again...

That's just brilliant!

projekt1 · 08-01-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3pac2k6

high end audis have solar panels integrated in the sun roof that power your a/c when it is parked. You never have to get into a hot audi again...

WOW!!!!!

3pac2k6 · 08-01-2007, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

That's just brilliant!

Yes, i was amazed. Here's how audi describes it:

"Even in very low sunlight, light-sensitive elements under the glass sunroof panel produce electricity to power the ventilator inside the vehicle. Even when the ignition is switched off, the interior will be supplied with a continuous flow of fresh air and temperature levels inside the vehicle can be reduced by as much as 50% with the outside air that is cleaned as is passes through the dust and pollen filter. This kind of ventilation does not put any additional demands on the car’s battery. This preliminary cooling lets the air conditioner cool the interior to the desired temperature with little energy and use of the ventilator."

LucasBlack · 08-02-2007, 12:12 AM

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...&classNum=null

perhaps something like that is what you had in mind?

exbauer · 08-02-2007, 12:42 PM

might want to check this out...

http://greenhybrid.com/discuss/showthread.php?t=13762

Fred S · 02-26-2008, 07:20 PM

I hope that you do not have high expectations for this concept. The HCH does not rely on the 12V to be fully charged in any beneficial manner. After cars computer boots up, it's all running on the HV pack. A solar panel would be a good idea solely for the benefit of keeping the battery charged while you're parked long term on the off chance that there is a slight parasitic draw.

asndragonboii · 02-27-2008, 12:40 PM

ooops

civicracer32 · 02-27-2008, 01:04 PM

Sold my hybrid last week. I still think a rooftop solar panel integrated into the car for an additional $500 or $1000 would've been cool though. I don't think it would be a problem to go from 50-100% charge on the battery pack in a day parked in the sun. That, and it would add to the cool factor too. People would buy it just for that!

I live in a very hilly area, and only drive locally within the city, and always found my battery to be at 50% charge. That worsened my fuel economy to a point where I was only getting 31-32 mpg's in town. On the highway I would get 48mpg's. We traded it in on an '08 Si!

Days later, oil closes at $101.00 a barrel.

Fred S · 03-01-2008, 05:43 PM

Once plug-in hybrids are being mass produced, solar panel films will do them very well.

SolarWorld Home************ Shipping

It's a flexible plastic film for solar energy. You could attach that to the roof, hood, trunk, dash board etc and it would contour the surfaces nicely, while topping off your battery pack.

08-01-2007, 11:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
civicracer32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 469 iTrader: 1 / 100%	A simple solar upgrade idea! Why not have a small solar panel that sits (integrated) on the dash or the back window that has just enough size to top off the battery pack while parked at work throughout the day? Or how bout a fold out plug in unit that stows in the behind the passenger seat in the seat pocket, and can be positioned on the dash or rear decklid and plugged into a socket located near the 12v accessory outlet under the stereo or another socket on the rear decklid? This would increase MPG as it would reduce forced charging events and increase assist. This would not increase EPA estimated mileage but would increase real world mileage and customer satisfaction. One of my gripes and lack of initial satisfaction was that I didn't see full charge on the battery pack for nearly a week after buying it! Now I would really like to see something like this, and I'd be willing to buy it as a factory option for $500 more!!! Dave

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08-01-2007, 09:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
jeremy0203 Senior Member Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Marys, GA Age: 22 Posts: 2,432 Jeremy iTrader: 6 / 100%	so you want like an electrical source to aid in engine use hmmmmm isnt that called a hybrid

08-01-2007, 09:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
projekt1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: 209, Cali4NIA Posts: 143 iTrader: 1 / 100%	actually, ive seen this done on HMVEE's. they have a tiny solar panel on the hood so that if some 'joe' leaves the switch in the on position it doesnt kill the battery. ive seen it sometimes not work though. im assuming not too much $$ and thought was put into its design and integration with the battery pack..... but it is possible.

08-01-2007, 11:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
3pac2k6 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Coast Posts: 1,004 iTrader: 0 / 0%	high end audis have solar panels integrated in the sun roof that power your a/c when it is parked. You never have to get into a hot audi again...

08-02-2007, 12:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
LucasBlack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 614 iTrader: 0 / 0%	http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...&classNum=null perhaps something like that is what you had in mind?

08-02-2007, 12:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
exbauer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 673 iTrader: 8 / 100%	might want to check this out... http://greenhybrid.com/discuss/showthread.php?t=13762

02-26-2008, 07:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Fred S Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Coram, NY Age: 26 Posts: 46 Fred Schamberger iTrader: 0 / 0%	I hope that you do not have high expectations for this concept. The HCH does not rely on the 12V to be fully charged in any beneficial manner. After cars computer boots up, it's all running on the HV pack. A solar panel would be a good idea solely for the benefit of keeping the battery charged while you're parked long term on the off chance that there is a slight parasitic draw.

02-27-2008, 12:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
asndragonboii Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,655 iTrader: 0 / 0%	ooops

02-27-2008, 01:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
civicracer32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 469 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Sold my hybrid last week. I still think a rooftop solar panel integrated into the car for an additional $500 or $1000 would've been cool though. I don't think it would be a problem to go from 50-100% charge on the battery pack in a day parked in the sun. That, and it would add to the cool factor too. People would buy it just for that! I live in a very hilly area, and only drive locally within the city, and always found my battery to be at 50% charge. That worsened my fuel economy to a point where I was only getting 31-32 mpg's in town. On the highway I would get 48mpg's. We traded it in on an '08 Si! Days later, oil closes at $101.00 a barrel.

03-01-2008, 05:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
Fred S Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Coram, NY Age: 26 Posts: 46 Fred Schamberger iTrader: 0 / 0%	Once plug-in hybrids are being mass produced, solar panel films will do them very well. SolarWorld Home************ Shipping It's a flexible plastic film for solar energy. You could attach that to the roof, hood, trunk, dash board etc and it would contour the surfaces nicely, while topping off your battery pack.