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Kyocera best cel’s are approaching 19% efficiency and may be included with the upgraded Prius! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7492647.stm)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Prius-III_with_Solar_Panels.jpgNikkei Business Daily - July 6, 2008

Even if Toyota can supply the 400W of overhead, the Prius-III’s FE is bound to increase :) -- Ed.

Toyota is planning to add solar-powered air conditioning to high-end models of its Prius hybrid cars, a report says.

The new feature would be part of the third-generation Prius, which is due to be launched next year, according to the Nikkei business daily.

It reported that the models would have Kyocera solar panels, which could provide between two and five kilowatts of electricity.

Toyota has a policy of not commenting on future product plans… http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7492647.stm

Hi Bill:

___Interesting but the expense and what you can actually collect from maybe 15% efficient cels over maybe 1sq. meter is miniscule (150W) vs. the needs of a 1.5 + KW A/C unit. 10 sun-filled hours with maybe 70% max collection due to angle while filling a pack would suffice for maybe a 30 minute drive w/ A/C or 3 to 4 miles of EV :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

If the car manufacturers could drive the air-conditioning compressor with an electric motor and provide a plug so that it could be plugged in to an electrical power source it could would be much cleaner and more efficient than using the ICE. Then the car's air conditioning system could be plugged into electrical outlets powered by solar panels positioned over parking areas in shopping malls and other places people frequent since many people idle their cars, particularly here in Texas, and this undoubtedly increases smog levels and CO2 emissions. They would be guaranteed to work when they are needed most since the sun is shining when it gets really hot. It could also be done for heatintg too if the heater core were augmented with a ceramic heator core.

Dumb idea, IMHO. There's a limited world solar cell production capacity, and using some of them on cars will drive up the price. Then instead of mounting these cells on a roof or somewhere where they'll collect as much energy as possible, you put them on a car that's often going to be parked in a garage or shady spot, and will almost certainly be at a less than optimal angle. Then you use what little energy is collected not to recharge the battery, but to keep A/C running even though no one's in the car.

Agreed. Not the most efficient use of such a limited resource. I'd rather Toyota support a program to subsidize panels for charging the PHEV Prius. Kinda like Honda with Phil.