NG Prius

[PurdueGuy]

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/b...25-da72c9f8770d

World: Prius solar panels to run AC

The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Tuesday, July 08, 2008

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 yesterday. 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." Toyota is due to launch the third-generation Prius next year.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Cool... and yet I get the feeling that the conservatively styled Prius that looks somewhat nice will somehow manage to morph into something grotesque looking like the Camry, Tundra or the like.

[siegen]

"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."

But at least it's a good start; and given the price of solar cells why not?

Honda has its own solar power subsidiary, Honda Soltec, which manufacturers solar cells. I wouldn't be surprised, if consumers react well to this, to see a similar trend on their hybrid cars.

I would like to have a solar powered hydrogen station at my house powering my home electrical needs and generating hydrogen for a Honda Clarity.... but alas I don't live in California dream on....

[pow]

Many Audis had this ten years ago... they called it a solar sunroof, or something.