Toyota--first to use solar technology
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: md
You are being very vague as there have been numerous solar powered kit cars built by Universities, however, even in terms of commercial vehicles:
http://www.venturi.fr/electric-vehic...b-concept.html
With 3.6 sqm of photovoltaic cells giving an exceptional yield of 21%, and covered by a film composed of nano-prisms enabling denser concentration of solar energy, Astrolab is the first high-performance solar and electric car to be commercialised in the world.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Once again, Toyota is challenging other manufacturers to bring new innovations to the car industry. Toyota will use solar panels on their Toyota Prius lines in 2009, it appears but not set in stone yet.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...07/2296277.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...07/2296277.htm
Audi challenges...seems was the first automaker to use solar panels on a production vehicle
Canadian engineer challenges
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...oweraugme.html
Solar-Power-Augmented Prius Takes the Grid Out of “Plug-in”
15 August 2005
Lapp’s PV Prius
A Canadian engineer has prototyped a Photovoltaic Prius—a 2001 Prius augmented with roof-top solar panels and an additional battery system to supplement the charge in the original equipment NiMH batteries.
Steve Lapp’s PV Prius is still a rough prototype—a demonstration of concept—but even with the limitations of the systems, he has achieved an initial 10% fuel efficiency improvement from 4.5 l/100km (52 mpg US) to 4.0 l/100km (59 mpg US).
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,277
Likes: 354
From: Canada
Toyota to fit solar panels to next-generation Prius
Posted on Monday 7 July 2008
There are already a number of independent firms that will retro-fit solar panels to the roofs of hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius to help extend the car’s electric-only driving range, however, from next year onwards the Prius will be available with the panels direct from the factory. The new Prius is set to be revealed at next year’s Detroit Auto Show before going on sale around April.
According to latest reports, high-end versions of the car will be fitted with solar panels to power ancillary features such as the air conditioning system. The news comes from Japan’s Nikkei economic daily, which also reported that up to 450,000 units of the new Prius will be manufactured next year.
Toyota refused to comment on the report.
Retro-fitting solar panels to the current Prius can yield fuel savings of up to 29% depending on driving style. However, the costs of installing the panels can range from anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000.
Toyota’s next-generation Prius is expected to also receive a larger and more powerful 1.6L engine and will eventually be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Despite being bigger and more powerful, fuel consumption will be improved. Toyota will do this by installing a more efficient powertrain with improved batteries for longer electric-only driving plus a lighter body thanks to extensive use of advanced composites in its construction. The lightweight construction concept was first previewed by the 1/X concept (pictured) from last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
Posted on Monday 7 July 2008
There are already a number of independent firms that will retro-fit solar panels to the roofs of hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius to help extend the car’s electric-only driving range, however, from next year onwards the Prius will be available with the panels direct from the factory. The new Prius is set to be revealed at next year’s Detroit Auto Show before going on sale around April.
According to latest reports, high-end versions of the car will be fitted with solar panels to power ancillary features such as the air conditioning system. The news comes from Japan’s Nikkei economic daily, which also reported that up to 450,000 units of the new Prius will be manufactured next year.
Toyota refused to comment on the report.
Retro-fitting solar panels to the current Prius can yield fuel savings of up to 29% depending on driving style. However, the costs of installing the panels can range from anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000.
Toyota’s next-generation Prius is expected to also receive a larger and more powerful 1.6L engine and will eventually be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Despite being bigger and more powerful, fuel consumption will be improved. Toyota will do this by installing a more efficient powertrain with improved batteries for longer electric-only driving plus a lighter body thanks to extensive use of advanced composites in its construction. The lightweight construction concept was first previewed by the 1/X concept (pictured) from last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 3
From: IL
Yea, I was just about to bring that up. Its been an option since the mid 1990's on A8's. However, unless they updated the system, it was used to only ventilate the car during hot days (no A/C).
But it would be cool if you could recharge the batteries using solar power instead of plugging it in to an outlet.
But it would be cool if you could recharge the batteries using solar power instead of plugging it in to an outlet.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
From: A better place
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
Toyota will be the first to let the electronic compressor run on solar...DENSO's electric compressor is driven by an integrated motor and is able to provide air conditioning even while the vehicle is stopped. As a result, in hybrid vehicles with engines that automatically shut down when the vehicles stop, the electric compressor provides a comfortable air-conditioned cab environment in addition to fuel efficiency.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
From: A better place
When it's cloudy though, it typically is not as hot. Thus, it will be very intuitive. The solar panels will work their best when it's very sunny outside, and typically those will be the days where A/C is needed the most.
Yes, it will generate juice while driving but with such a small solar array, I'd be surprise if it could run the AC much.Maybe they should name the new Prius "WALL-E".
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 0
From: CA
http://green.yahoo.com/news/nm/20080...toyota_dc.html
Kentaro Endo, a director at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry who specializes in renewable energy, said the application of solar energy was severely limited in vehicles.
"Even if you laid solar panels out on the entire roof of a house, you only generate enough energy to run two hair dryers," he said.
"It's an interesting idea, but it would be very difficult to power a whole car, even with technological advances."
Kentaro Endo, a director at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry who specializes in renewable energy, said the application of solar energy was severely limited in vehicles.
"Even if you laid solar panels out on the entire roof of a house, you only generate enough energy to run two hair dryers," he said.
"It's an interesting idea, but it would be very difficult to power a whole car, even with technological advances."
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
supposedly the electric compressor vs engine driven compressor provides a 19% MPG gain??
http://www.epa.gov/cppd/Presentation...20inverter.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/cppd/Presentation...20inverter.pdf