Prius Solar made me laugh

[ME_Andy]

I'd pay a couple thousand for something like this. Seems like a decent idea if they can make it inexpensive.

[MetroMPG]

Cost/benefit aside, at least it's a low profile installation that will have minimal aero impact.

I have to wonder how much it's a marketing exercise for the Prius. Sales have tanked dramatically in recent years. Or it could be a distraction from the fact Toyota is lagging on EV development.

I bet Marketing was behind this, at least in part.

[rmay635703]

As much was said on priuschat
Solar is to move the brand back into prominence

Getting this tech out isn’t a bad thing as the usedbuyer and the salvage buyer get the benefit too

[S Keith]

34% screams Gallium Arsenide panels, which are many times more expensive than Silicon panels and are almost exclusively reserved for space applications as $10,000/lb launch cost makes the difference viable along with all the other simplifications 2X efficient solar panels provide (size, inertial, reduced maneuvering thruster use, etc.).

I wouldn't be surprised if the cost of the panels alone is over $10K.

EDIT: I just found an article that indicates it may cost $5000 to make an 8 inch wafer of gallium arsenide. $10K probably doesn't come close.

https://www.futurity.org/gallium-ars...-cells-885992/