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Originally Posted by jdenenberg
This kit develops 30 watts, that's about 0.04 horsepower (when the sun shines). Since we use several horsepower on average while driving, I don't think this kit would provide much help. Maybe the reason for their good MPG numbers is they are in Nevada (desert, flat) and they are going slow. For 30 watts to make a 10% difference would mean that we, on average only use 0.4 horsepower (that would run a bike at 20 miles per hour on the flat).
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I think the idea is that it charges up your battery some while the vehicle is sitting (presumably, the whole day, in the sun while you're at work or whatever). Then your vehicle's engine doesn't have to run itself as much to charge the battery up (at the times when it does that). I don't think the idea is to try to provide direct (while your driving) power to the battery.
Its a neat (not financially sound) idea, definately for people who aren't limited by funding and have their Prius as much for a hobby as for transportation.
I think there are enough people who've bought Prius's (for more than cost effectiveness) who could afford this and might indulge themselves. Maybe the company can carve out a market. I hope they do.
Scott