[DMW]

 I would like to know the easiest way to connect a solar panel mounted inside the car to charge the car battery.  Anyone already done this?

[Johnno]

I use to use 2 solar panels in my caravan when it was in storage and they were useless for the UK, battery was always go flat. You need about 8 hrs + of sunlight per day everyday for it to have any effect. You would most likely have to wire direct to the battery as I think the cigar socket does not have a direct feed when the ignition key is removed.

They're as much use as a chocolate fire guard

[AlanHo]

What Paddy does is use the solar panel to charge the battery overnight with the car parked in the garage and leave the garage lights on..........

[Johnno]

 

[Phil №❶]

Not worth doing IMO as your car is consuming power, waiting for someone to press the unlock button on your key fob. To compensate for this and charge the battery enough to make a difference would require a large solar cell and continuous sunlight.

Mind you, the Mazda 929 had this built in to the roof years ago I believe, don't know what power it was though.

[Dazzler]

The Brother's top of the range Itech Prius has solar panels which keep the car cool when it is parked in the sun! 

[Just Rick]

solar panel chargers are absolute garbage