Comments on: On The 2010 Prius Solar Roof

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:20:44 +0000

Just park it under a tree and crack a window or two. End of story.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:20:14 +0000

It was a great idea when Audi did it 8 years ago on my 2001 allroad.

By: Larry McFall

Larry McFall — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:45:15 +0000

After reading many VOLT Fan comments, I believe many are not sure as to the viability of Solar Panel Charging technology. Others appear to feel that adding the Solar Roof concept would indeed raise cost of the vehicle. I believe that the fans would just like to see the VOLT as we have seen it advertised, get on the road. I am real excited to see this happen also.

In consideration of the additional Solar Roof technology, it is not Rocket Science which is needing a lot of prior research for it is out there, Now! It is not real costly as many would presume. I would hope that GM would adopt the Solar Roof concept and not attempt to act like this is going to be a major cost.

GM has a lot a faithful VOLT fans and any new ideas that GM wants to adopt, needs to be in the light of add ons or, to actual better the vehicles overall performance posture.

By: Larry McFall

Larry McFall — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:31:11 +0000

Solar Panel Roofs is a great idea to be employed in the VOLTEC plan! Since I bought my first Solar Panels for the recharge of batteries for my Arizona Ranch in 1995, the panels are now so much more efficent. In comparison, a one square inch of panel now generates a hundred times more energy than the 1990 technology.

The notion of your VOLT being parked at work on a nice sunny day has the potential of charging up todays batteries by the time you go home for the day. This nets savings in grid power and provides lattitude that adds to the broad usage of the vehicle.

This is exactly the kind of research technology that GM has to pursue to keep the VOLTEC viable and attractive for the future of the business.

I would like to know how many amps the present produced roof design provides. Very interesting concept that must be maintained as a primary addition.

By: Tasha

Tasha — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:46:53 +0000

I live in FL, and I can say that if I could fit the cost into my financing I would DEFINITELY buy the solar roof. With temperatures ranging from 60-110 Fahrenheit that means the inside of my car is 90-150 Fahrenheit and rising. Anyone with leather seats would appreciate not having a hot seat when wearing shorts too!

By: David

David — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:10:36 +0000

I think it’;s a good idea: it cuts down on A/C strain which will in turn reduce fuel consumption, makes the car more comfortable, and prevents the plastics from the interior from being heated too much thus reducing VOC release.

By: john getz

john getz — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:53:18 +0000

lets concentrate on just getting the car out GM … dont worry about the solar panels yet…. one step at a time… sometimes I think I could run GM

By: MeMyselfAndI

MeMyselfAndI — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:46:02 +0000

I would gladly buy a solar panel option that kept the car cooler. This is a great option for folks like me that live in the southwest. We average days of sunshine in the high 300’s days per year and cars can be downright hot after sitting in the sun 9 months (or more) out of the year. Too bad the Volt has a pathetic electric range. I will be holding out for the second version or a completely different vehicle with at least 100 miles electric range.

By: john1701a

john1701a — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:59:04 +0000

In other words, the real-world average (taking all plug-in scenarios into account) works out to a 20 to 25 MPG improvement.

Focus is on the outcome, not when the motor contributes power… like this topic of when the solar contributes.

By: john1701a

john1701a — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:46:44 +0000

3) What is the range of the MPG boost? _____________________________ What part of BOOST don't you understand? The appropriate measure is battery CAPACITY. RANGE is not a relevant comparison.