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Toyota to Add Solar Panels to Prius

Some 2009 models will have panels that help power air conditioning

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted Jul 7, 2008 9:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – 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."

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

A Toyota Prius Hybrid is seen Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at a Chicago dealership.. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Toyota Prius hybrid cars line an auto dealership's front row in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

Unsold 2008 Prius hybrid sedans sit on a lot at a Toyota dealership in the southeast Denver suburb of Centennial, Colo., in this Nov. 4, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A Toyota Prius hybrid compact car is exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show in Makuhari, east of Tokyo, in this Oct. 19, 2005, file photo. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, FILE)

The Toyota logo is seen on the hood of a Prius Hybrid Tuesday, July 1. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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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... (energyadvertiser)

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Toyota to Add Solar Panels to Prius