TreeHugger recently reported that a Japanese business news source called Nikkei stated that Toyota is planning to make a Toyota Prius solar power option that would power the air conditioning unit of the cars on sunny days. This design makes perfect sense and is already being used in basic in-window solar car fans. The solar panels being used for the Prius are made by a company called Kyocera (known for being less expensive and lower efficiency) and would line the roof as shown in the image below. The idea of adding solar power to a car has been around for years and even featured in a few movies (then refeatured in who killed the electric car) and solar-techies everywhere have begun taking matters into their own hands creating after-market solar kits for the Prius and other hybrid EV cars.
If everything goes according to plans for the consumer version of the solar Toyota Prius it would be the first mass marketed car with solar panels built in. According to Nikkei the model would be shown in 2009 and become available for sale in 2010 based on industry speculation, however, Toyota has kept quiet on the topic. If you’re a bit disappointed that the panels only power AC then you might want to check out the video below of a California company that has made a solar roof adapter for the Prius which will add 17% to 29% more range to your gas mileage!
Another company called Solatec has an aftermarket PV panel kit for 2004-2008 model Prius that is on sale for $2,195 and increases Prius range 10% over EPA figures to about 55 MPG in the city and 62 MPG highway. Costing $2,195 that is the equivalent of ~1000 gallons of gasoline depending on the price any given day. The two panel strips attach on top of the Prius roof using aircraft grade adhesive and put out 30 watts at 18 Volts.
The solar adapter shown in the video below is from Solar Electrical Vehicles and can be used with the Toyota Prius, Highlander, Rav4 EV, Ford Escape or Sprinter.
Solar Panels for Toyota Prius
