Toyota to Use Solar Panels on Prius: Report

Toyota to Use Solar Panels on Prius: Report

Monday, July 07, 2008 - by Michael Santo
Many have modified their Priuses, and one of those possible modifications is a rooftop solar panel system.  It seems that Toyota is considering the same as standard equipment for its own models, but only for high-end models, and only to power the AC.

Toyota Motor Corp plans to install solar panels on some Prius hybrids in its next remodelling, responding to growing demand for "green" cars amid record-high oil prices, a source briefed on the matter said on Monday.

The panels, supplied by Kyocera Corp would be able to power part of the air-conditioning on high-end versions of the gasoline-electric Prius, the source said.

"It's more of a symbolic gesture," said the source, who asked not to be identified. "It's very difficult to power much more than that with solar energy."

Yes, but you could use the panels to power, or rather, charge the hybrid's batteries, which is what some after-market vendors have done.  One such vendor, for example, is SEV (their roof panel is shown above).
Via: Guardian | News Archive | Tags: Panel, Report
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By amdcrankitup on Jul 7, 2008

I think that anything that will take away our dependence on oil is a step in the right direction but I also beleive that the oil companies as well as politicians that have something to loose like a choke hold on our wallets are controlling the amount and time frame of the technology from being implemented.The technolgy is already out there!America should not be held hostage for dependence on foreign oil because of the Greed of the wealthy!Same old thing the Rich keep getting Richer and the Poor keep getting Poorer!

By Lev_Astov on Jul 7, 2008

Amen to that. I'm looking forward to getting myself an Aptera when they become available on the east coast, hopefully next year.

If those solar cells help power the AC, then they should keep it running when you are not in the car, so it doesn't get hot in the sun.

By ice91785 on Jul 7, 2008

I definitely like the idea of alternate energy sources, but solar panel powered-cars cannot be cheap.......if they can still keep the car under $20k then the car's price wouldn't be THAT bad and pay for itself (in what you save in gas) in probably 10 yrs if you hold onto it that long

 

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