Posted by Lynn McGuire on March 24, 2006, 7:23 pm
>> Why not put a solar panel on top of your Prius:
>> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/solar-powered_t.php
>>
>> Lynn
>>
> As a retired electrical engineer I can't get several factors out of my mind:
> 1. It can't be justified by the cost/benefit ratio.
> 2. It would have to be insured separately.
> 3. I park my car inside and besides, the battery is often nearly "full" when
I park it so even if this fellow had engineered his
> system to charge while parked (he didn't) the battery would reach maximum
charge quickly.
> 4. I can't remember a summer when hail didn't fall where I live.
> I do think this was an interesting project and hope it inspires more practical
solutions like, for example, building the solar
> panels into the roof and developing batteries better suited to both hybrid and
pure electric motivation. He's definitely on a
> good track.
Add more batteries: http://calcars.org/priusplus.html !
Put some lexan over that solar panel.
Lynn
Posted by Bill on March 24, 2006, 7:29 pm
>>> Why not put a solar panel on top of your Prius:
>>> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/solar-powered_t.php
>>>
>>> Lynn
>>>
>> As a retired electrical engineer I can't get several factors out of my
>> mind:
>>
>> 1. It can't be justified by the cost/benefit ratio.
>> 2. It would have to be insured separately.
>> 3. I park my car inside and besides, the battery is often nearly "full"
>> when I park it so even if this fellow had engineered his system to charge
>> while parked (he didn't) the battery would reach maximum charge quickly.
>> 4. I can't remember a summer when hail didn't fall where I live.
>>
>> I do think this was an interesting project and hope it inspires more
>> practical solutions like, for example, building the solar panels into the
>> roof and developing batteries better suited to both hybrid and pure
>> electric motivation. He's definitely on a good track.
> Add more batteries: http://calcars.org/priusplus.html !
> Put some lexan over that solar panel.
> Lynn
And that solves the insurance and cost/benefit issues how?
Posted by Lynn McGuire on March 24, 2006, 11:24 pm
> And that solves the insurance and cost/benefit issues how?
No insurance available for experimental projects !
Experimental stuff usually does not have a cost / benefit analysis
done until the end of the project. If we weighed cost/benefit on
everything, no one would have kids !
Besides that, you wanted to drive in to town on electric alone.
No cost was mentioned. The solar panel and extra batteries get
you there as long as you stay below 39 mph.
Lynn
Posted by Bill on March 24, 2006, 11:24 pm
>> And that solves the insurance and cost/benefit issues how?
> No insurance available for experimental projects !
> Experimental stuff usually does not have a cost / benefit analysis
> done until the end of the project. If we weighed cost/benefit on
> everything, no one would have kids !
> Besides that, you wanted to drive in to town on electric alone.
> No cost was mentioned. The solar panel and extra batteries get
> you there as long as you stay below 39 mph.
> Lynn
Ok, you win.
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>> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/solar-powered_t.php
>>
>> Lynn
>>
> As a retired electrical engineer I can't get several factors out of my mind:
> 1. It can't be justified by the cost/benefit ratio.
> 2. It would have to be insured separately.
> 3. I park my car inside and besides, the battery is often nearly "full" when