Re:Solar panels on cars make no sense
by Scoundreller on Sunday January 29, 2023 @04:19PM
(#34572866)
Features like this are a huge boon for in-vehicle air quality.
Stepping into a new car that’s been sitting in the sun can’t be healthy.
I just wish parked vehicles could automatically crack the windows open, but shut them if it’s raining/snowing.
Maybe some geo-fencing so it only does it in relatively “safe” locations.
Would also be beneficial in cold weather climates: it’s colder at night, so it would be warmer when I enter in the morning if it let the warmer morning air in.
EVs can do this without significantly depleting the battery. Every Tesla keeps the cabin temperature below 105°F as long as the battery is above 20% charge.[1] You can also turn on the climate control from your phone, making the car a comfortable temperature before you get in it.
1. https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-4F3599A...
From what I remember it would periodically turn on the vents to circulate air when in full sun. Also had a button on the remote to startup the AC, which only worked within remote range.
Both features did make the cabin relatively cooler after being in the sun for a few hours. This was moderately useful in Southern California.
At the time reading about why it wouldn't trickle charge the battery had something to do with radio interference, which I feel was just an excuse to avoid hooking up a proper charging system. Doubt it would have made much of a difference anyway.