Toyota to Add Solar Panels to Prius

Some 2009 models will have panels that help power air conditioning
Posted Jul 7, 2008 9:46 AM CDT

SOLAR Hybrid TOYOTA Prius:http://www.solarelectricalvehicles.comWelcome to Solar Electrical Vehicles. Founded in mid 2005, SEV was created to develop a true solar charging system for Hybrid Electric Vehicles that provides increased electric driving range and improved fuel economy. Founded by Greg Johanson, with over 20 years of experience in the solar electric vehicle industry, SEV is the sister company to the oldest and largest systems integrator of solar power systems in Southern California, Solar Electrical Systems. The Solar Electric Vehicle system was designed and engineered as an easy to install (2 to 3 hours) integrated accessory system with a custom molded low profile solar module, supplemental battery pack and a proven charge controlling system. The SEV system generates energy from sunlight and converts this energy to high voltage which is utilized to charge the supplemental battery and the Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery pack. This allows the Hybrid Vehicle to operate for extended driving range in the electric mode With the SEV solar system, the Toyota Prius can operate up to 20 miles per day in electric mode thus improving fuel economy by up to 29% (depending on driving habits and conditions).
(energyadvertiser)

Toyota plans to go even more “green” with its hybrid Prius, offering solar panels as a high-end option beginning with the 2009 model year, reports Reuters. And, although the panels will do little more than help power the air conditioning system, Toyota’s move shows just how far automakers are willing to go to engineer greener vehicles.

The Prius is due to be redesigned next year. A price for the solar option hasn’t been announced but, due to the increasing cost of the silicone panels, experts say it’s likely to be pricey. And solar skeptics remain. Said one: "It's an interesting idea, but it would be very difficult to power a whole car, even with technological advances." (More Toyota stories.)

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