[Tourigjm]

Originally Posted by gascort

I'm planning on getting a ~50W panel to mount into the roof of my wagon. I'm going to put the alternator in circuit with a small lawn mower battery, the computer, ignition, fuel pump, engine cooling fan, and injectors.
I'm going to keep the solar PV panel connected to a deep cycle battery and then to all the non-integral parts of the car (starter, headlamps, parking lights, stereo, blower motor....) and have a switch between the two systems that I can connect for long road trips. This way, I can always get the car to go, even if the deep cycle battery or PV system fails somehow. From the previous post, I don't think the essentials will bog down the alternator too badly, and I'll be able to maintain use of the alternator's slightly higher voltage for my ECU and injectors, which I believe to be important for economy.

I've heard that the next gen prius will have a solar system to run all the "non essentials" as an option. so you are definitely the only one with this idea. How long do you estimate it will take to recoup the price of the panel/bodywork in fuel savings?