Toyota’s Prius to be Powered with Solar Panels
Posted on July 7, 2008 in Technology by Annie
One of the largest automaker companies Toyota Motor Corp. is planning to install solar panels in the 3rd generation of Prius. The solar energy is basically used for car air-conditioning. 3rd generation of Prius with solar powered air conditioning is planned to be launched next year.
According to the Nikkei Business Daily, Kyocera would be making solar panels for the company. These solar panels will provide 2-5kW of energy used by the air-conditioning system. Abiding by company’s policy Toyota refused to comment on its future product plans.
Commenting on the news a renewable energy specialist of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kentaro Endo said: “Even if you laid solar panels out on the entire roof of a house, you only generate enough energy to run two hairdryers.”
With the oil price hike, sales of Prius have also been increased mainly because of its combined petrol engine and electric motor. According to the sales report already one million models have been sold. After 2010 Toyota aims to sell approximately one million models/year.
Earlier in 1990s Mazda offered optional solar panels in its 2 models. The main purpose of these solar panels was to ventilate cars parked outside on hot days. It did not gained popularity and soon it was removed from the market.
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