Are plug in hybrid vehicles planning to include a solar panel for their roof?

4 Responses to Are plug in hybrid vehicles planning to include a solar panel for their roof?

1. Dana1981, Master of Science says:

   November 30, 2010 at 10:46 pm

   One is. Aptera is making an EV and plug-in hybrid which will have a solar panel on the roof.

   http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-01-10-aptera_N.htm
   http://aptera.com/

   Also the ZAP-X EV is supposed to have nano solar cells in its windows.

   http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles

   And the ZAP Xebra Xero has a solar panel on top.

   http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-xero-truck

   And you can modify current hybrids to add a solar panel to the roof.

   http://4wheelsblog.com/prototypes/solar-power-option-for-toyota-prius

   But I don’t think the major auto companies (i.e. Chevy Volt) are planning on putting solar panels on their plug-ins.
2. fred says:

   November 30, 2010 at 11:09 pm

   Solar Electrical Vehicles specializing in adding a convex solar roof to hybrid cars. The solar modules are rated at 200-300 watts, and this power is utilized to charge a supplemental battery. With the solar roof, the Toyota Prius can operate up to 20 miles per day in electric mode
   http://www.batteryvehiclesociety.org.uk/wordpress/?p=121

   also see http://solarvan.co.uk/

   but generally it is more efficient to have a home based system that can be optimised for size and direction/shading and avoid carrying the extra weight around; Tesla http://www.teslamotors.com offer such a service
3. adio_J says:

   November 30, 2010 at 11:45 pm

   Tobe efficient, you would need about 4KW of panels. That wuld be as many square feet as the wings of a small sized airplane. Not appropriate.
4. Clays mom says:

   December 1, 2010 at 12:29 am

   i think between size cost and possibility of dammaged to it it is highly unlikely