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Solar energy is a kind of renewable energy, the application of solar panels in cars can achieve clean, environmental protection and no pollution, but due to the limitations of technology, cost and use conditions, most manufacturers have long given up. However, years later, Toyota announced that it would start the testing of the Prius solar car.

Toyota recently unveiled a Prius plug-in hybrid test car equipped with solar energy conversion devices, which aims to verify whether solar energy converters can further reduce vehicle emissions in daily use. It is understood that the study, carried out by Toyota in conjunction with Japan's NEDO and Sharp, will collect data on the efficiency and range of the test car.

The Prius, equipped with solar energy conversion device, is based on the Prius plug-in hybrid model, the electric drive system and power battery capacity are the same, the biggest difference is the addition of solar power film to the entire roof.

It can be seen that the roof, engine hatch, trunk glass and rear spoiler of the Prius are all covered with solar power generation film, which is derived from the three-junction solar cell technology provided by Sharp. The solar energy conversion efficiency of the solar film is as high as 34%.

According to Toyota's technical data, the solar film on the Prius test car generates about 860W in a sunny day, and it takes about 10 hours to fill the car with 8.8kWh batteries.

In sunny and open-air conditions, the solar film charges the power battery, and the Prius test car can charge up to the pure electric mileage of 44.5km every day; while the vehicle is driving, the solar film can power the electrical system in the car and charge the power battery at the same time, and the electricity generated every day is converted into pure electric mileage of about 57km.

Therefore, when the weather is good enough, the Prius test car does not need to be plugged in or consumes fuel, and it can run about 57km for a day, which is enough for a short commute.

However, the car is often exposed to the sun, which can better test the driver's endurance.

Secondly, solar cars are greatly affected by changes in the weather environment. Fortunately, the car uses hybrid power, which can not only use solar energy to convert charges, but also use charging piles for charging, and may also be driven by fuel. This eliminates worries about battery life. The car is equipped with Toyota 1.8L THS dual-motor hybrid system.

Toyota has not announced whether the technology can be included in the mass production list. Toyota officials say the solar conversion technology will continue to be tested on the Prius plug-in hybrid version and share the test data with partners in real time so that it can be mass produced as soon as possible.

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