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RedDevil · 03-10-2014, 07:33 PM

I got a 9W solar panel just for that.
Turns out my 12V battery was bad. Hooking up the panel would cure it slightly, but not completely.

It got replaced under warranty, and now my poanel is too big for the battery. It would gently overcharge if I left the panel on.
In the northern center of Europe you'd get about as many kWh per year from a solar panel as its peak production in Watts. So my 9Wp panel can theoretically produce 9 kWh per year over here.
That may save me, maybe, 6 or 7 liters of gas a year. Ideally.
Of course the panel is not light. And solar energy does not distribute evenly over the year. The net yield would be less. Even if the battery could store all the panel provides.

I believe a solar panel for the 12V battery does have benefits, but you won't be able to prove it by fuel consumption measurement; it is too insignificant.

03-10-2014, 07:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
RedDevil Master EcoWalker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Posts: 3,999 Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance Team Honda 90 day: 54.08 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,714 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,455 Posts	I got a 9W solar panel just for that. Turns out my 12V battery was bad. Hooking up the panel would cure it slightly, but not completely. It got replaced under warranty, and now my poanel is too big for the battery. It would gently overcharge if I left the panel on. In the northern center of Europe you'd get about as many kWh per year from a solar panel as its peak production in Watts. So my 9Wp panel can theoretically produce 9 kWh per year over here. That may save me, maybe, 6 or 7 liters of gas a year. Ideally. Of course the panel is not light. And solar energy does not distribute evenly over the year. The net yield would be less. Even if the battery could store all the panel provides. I believe a solar panel for the 12V battery does have benefits, but you won't be able to prove it by fuel consumption measurement; it is too insignificant. __________________ 2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut. lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile. For confirmation go to people just like you. For education go to people unlike yourself. Last edited by RedDevil; 03-10-2014 at 07:40 PM..