Osaka-based electronics maker Panasonic Corp. has started production of 80-watt array of solar cells that can be mounted on car roofs. The photovoltaic module is set to be used to equip Toyota Motor Corp.’s latest Prius plug-in hybrid.
“Car roofs have the potential to become a new market for solar panels,” Shingo Okamoto, the general manager at Panasonic who was in charge of developing the technology, said. “We made history in the auto industry and in the solar industry with the sun powering mass-produced cars for the first time in the world.”
Other companies such as Tesla and Nissan Motor Co. see the potential as well, with the latter offering an add-on solar panel option for its Leaf electric cars. Toyota already sold about 1,350 Prius plug-in equipped with solar panels. Shingo Okamoto, the general manager at Panasonic , says that “you get about 10 percent of annual mileage from solar just by letting your car sit.”
Renewable Energy WorldWhy not share this article?
