So the Photo Voltaic Solar Panel Spoiler is basically useless?

[PowayDon]

I'm assuming that the spoiler solar panel only works while the car is ON?
While the car is sitting at the parking lot at work, the solar panel isn't charging the 12 volt accessory battery?

[TomT]

No, it charges when the car is off but at a very low rate (a few watts) so it is really just a trickle charger for the 12 volt battery...

[PowayDon]

Thanks Tom.
A trickle charge is better than no charge!

[LeftieBiker]

Going by reports from SL owners, the solar panel is essentially useless unless the car is parked in direct sunlight for many hours at a time. It's more a fashion statement than anything else.

[GRA]

Going by reports from SL owners, the solar panel is essentially useless unless the car is parked in direct sunlight for many hours at a time. It's more a fashion statement than anything else.

Some of us prefer the term 'cosmetic'.

[desiv]

I wonder how useful it really is..
I love having it..
As for use.. I know I've read about people having issues with the 12v battery.
I haven't. And I leave my bluetooth ODB adapter plugged in all the time.
Then again, not everyone does. I drive my car a LOT every day.. So that's probably the real reason.
But I like to tell myself that the trickle charge is at least helping keep my 12v battery happier..

desiv

[davewill]

The output was measured way back when and it is in the single digits of watts. Just about as close to nothing as you can get. Strictly eye candy.

[lorenfb]

The output was measured way back when and it is in the single digits of watts. Just about as close to nothing as you can get. Strictly eye candy.

Actually, the solar panel provides 50-80 ma (.05 - .08 amps) to trickle charge the 12V battery on a sunny day.
One of my ICE vehicles which is only started once a week for a few minutes has a solar panel providing about
50 ma and maintains the battery at about 13 volts. The battery is over four years old now and always provides
a strong cranking capability when starting.

[hmmwv]

So does it provides power to the battery when the car is "On" as well, for example, if I'm parked and listening to the radio (not blasting it), will it help to keep the 12V battery from going too low?

[davewill]

So does it provides power to the battery when the car is "On" as well, for example, if I'm parked and listening to the radio (not blasting it), will it help to keep the 12V battery from going too low?

Help? Yeah for very literal definitions of the word "help", but it doesn't put out enough to even come close to covering the draw of having the car on and the entertainment system going.