Toyota Prius to come with solar panels
July 8, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Arguably, the Toyota Prius has become the most talked about car of the last decade, now recognised around the world as an icon. Many have questioned the validity of its purpose, arguing that whilst the idea is right, the implementation leads to nothing more than a feel good product.
If Toyota was hoping to move away from the feel-good-only image, rumours that it plans to install solar panels on some Prius hybrids in its next remodeling, does little to help.
According to insider sources, the Big T is installing the panels in response to a growing demand for “green” cars. “It’s more of a symbolic gesture,” said the source, who wished to remain anonymous.
What will Solar panels achieve? Built by Kyocera Corp., the plan is to power “part of” the air-conditioning. “It’s very difficult to power much more than that with solar energy.” the source said.
Some solar panel experts have long argued that the production and manufacturing process currently outweighs the benefits (with regards to CO2 emissions). Plus given the rising silicon prices, the practicalities seem somewhat irrelevant.
“Even if you laid solar panels out on the entire roof of a house, you only generate enough energy to run two hair dryers. It’s an interesting idea, but it would be very difficult to power a whole car, even with technological advances.” Kentaro Endo, a director at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry who specialises in renewable energy, said
However, Toyota is not the first to try its luck with solar panels. Japanese rival Mazda gave it shot in the early 1990s with the Eunos 800 and Sentia, which didn’t prove popular in the showroom.
The Prius, despite being around for over a decade, is in stronger demand than ever before. So much so that Toyota has struggled to keep up with demand. Hybrid rival Honda is scheduled to launch a new, low-cost hybrid model early next year.
The rest of the auto industry has also teamed up with battery makers to develop and produce lithium-ion batteries to store more energy in smaller battery packs in order to increase electric-only cruising distance.
So far Toyota has teamed up with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Nissan with NEC, Mitsubishi with GS Yuasa Corp and Volkswagen with Sanyo.
Toyota has sold more than 1 million Prius cars and aims to sell at least 1 million hybrid cars a year by early 2010s. The company will launch the third-generation Prius next year.
Print it: 
If the Prius is the best the worlds largest Auto Maker can do then there isn’t much hope!
Solar panels on the roof surely another gimmick.Good as useless in reality as already pointed out.Enough juice to charge your phone for that size panel.
As a big Toyota supporter, i will have to say i believe this is a stupid move.
However, the next generation Prius (Prius 3) which is due for launch in Jan/Feb 2009 will be a welcomed refresh from the now aging Prius 2.
The Next Gen Prius will come with much improved performance benefited from greater outpout due to the larger capacity 1.8 engine (instead of the current 1.5) as found in the Corolla but with improved efficency due to on going development / advancement of hybrid technology.
So… as much as i agree the current Prius is beginning to show it’s age, in the next 6 mths or so the Prius 3 is sure refresh it’s image although i believe solar panels is not necassary.
Realcars – i believe the Lexus RX400hl, GS450hl and particularly the LS600hl are examples of what the leading hybrid manufactuer can do not to mention the imminent release of the Next Generation Prius.
Aftre watching a show on SBS [Sunday Night] “Car of the Future” where they examined the various alternative fuel sources including Solar and Hydrogen etc and their economic viability; environmental impact as well as their practicality etc.
I would much prefer a Tesla Roadster as it looks better; is more user friendly; more powerful; has better range and better vision compared to “other” hybrids
seen that show wheelnut and the spectre of used batteries creating a prob.
Gee that guys laugh was annoying!!!
Good program. Actually three good ones one after the other that night on SBS.
If u believe this program small privateers seem to be making more of a contribution than the large Auto makers.
Interesting point about est fuel infra in the west making it difficult to run alternatives etc such as Hydrogen.
They shoud install some in the drivers seat,so they can be driven on a rainy day by some people.
The con continues.
The next Prius will have 1.8l engine, so it will use more petrol than the 1.5 it currently has.
If Toyota was really an innovative company, which it is not, the next Prius would have a 1.0 litre engine – that might be seen as progress.
I gave you “BIGT” what about patent infringment? :-)
Cheers
F-0
Very true Reckless1
Reckless – Toyota responded to satisfy global request for greater power yet improved efficency … exactly what the 3rd gneration Prius delivers.
I’ll tell you what is environmentally distractive – the engineering and manufactuer of poor quality and troublesome vehicles that Ford and GM have long supplied which equates to greater replaced components to maintain servicability.
GM not long ago reported mass problems with thier hybrid system (leaking batteries) that will have to be replaced while Toyota’s own hybrid development has gained global recognition for impeccable reliability
Nobody saves money buying a Falcon or Commodores … to many problems, to many expenses !!
Luke GT – if i was you i wouldn’t be bring up the “cost to manufacture” argument! Production of the toyota prius has one of the largest environmental impacts of all cars, more then the big yank trucks even, mainly due to it’s battery packs that use ALOT of energy to manufacture and take about a thousand years to break down.
It may be a reliable car (although it hasn’t really been around long enough to prove that) but their batteries are still a biohazard for generations after the car is past it’s used by date. Regular petrol powered cars? More then 98% recyclable.
Oh and by the way Luke GT, in 1996 my parents upgraded from a 1994 model toyota camry 4cyl CSi to a new VS commodore executive. The camry in it’s two years of ownership went back 5 times for warranty claims including 2 times for the stereo which just wouldn’t work, once for a suspension defect, once for a power steering pump that blew and another time for a gearbox oil leak. And before you ask yes it was always serviced on time. The commodore? We owned it for 8 years, in that time it needed a new front wheel bearing after 5 years and a new power steering pump about 3 months before we sold it. Now you tell me which car had more problems and expenses?
Now luke you can go off what you have heard off a mate who knows a mate who’s dad is a mechanic all you like, but my parents where REAL consumers who owned both a toyota and a holden and this was their story. Can’t argue with that!
on a positive note however, my toyota hiace work van which i have owned since new is utterly brilliant in every way, just goes to show that all manufacturers have good and bad models i guess! I’ll buy another toyota in my time i’m sure, but that 1994 camry was certainly a dunger and thats the point i’m making, all manufactuers have their good and bad models from time to time, even toyota
The Prius is a joke. Especially the next gen version, I agree that a bigger engine is the wrong move…..These things are not about power they are about cheap efficient transport for daily traffic driving…..which means you don’t need to do 0-100 in a few seconds.
Sure its easy for them to say the 1.8l engine is more efficient….so is the latest 5.0l GM engine…..but it still thirsty.
The future is more in the direction of the Tesla backed by greener electricity.
Don’t forget that there are Turbo diesels out there now that are better than the Prius and actually still have power (or grunt). And I suspect they will get better….especially with lighter smaller cars.
The way we move around is about to change and big guzzlers just to go down the road or sit in traffic at 5-40kmh will be a thing of the past.
Personally I would like to see more enclosed scooters so I can ride to work and not get wet etc.
Phill – LOL – loved the driver seat comment.
yeah this solar panel on a hybrid car makes lots of sense. Much more than say putting the panel on the roof of your garage, inside which you park your Prius when you aren’t using it? Dah..
Solar panels are interesting, I would have thought the additional weight would have more of a negative effect then the tiny amount of fuel is saves on the A/C. Simply a gimmick for now. But at least Toyota is developing this technology.
Richo : the Prius is arguable the single most identified hybrid vehicle that has challenged the hybrid envelope.
Compared to standard petrol and diesel powerplants, hybrid technology is still a relatively new concept that will benefit greatly from ongoing research and development particularly when mated to diesel or any other alternative powered motor-vehicle .
There is no doubting that Toyota (and Honda) have done a remarkable job with the development of hybrid motor vehicles and so much so, that … many of the worlds most recognised manufactuers are now following suit including BMW, Audi, Nissan, Ford, GM (incl. Holden) and Ford as some examples.
As for recycling, Toyota has invested heavily in a recycling regime (were possible) and encourages all of it’s global dealerships to return batteries to them which is apart of not only striving for more environmentally friendly motor vehicles but recycling process for aged and disused components.
As for reliabilty – agree, all models and manufactuers have problems but fact remains … some have more then others while others have more yet again.
Toyota (as with some other manuafactuers) have established a world-wide reputation as one of the best performers for vehicle quality, reliability, dependability and durability while companies like General Motors and Ford have a less then favourale record … infact, they have a history of ranking amoung the worst performers of all particularly in Australia.
Take the time and research any Cust.Satisfaction / Qual. Survey wether it be ‘aged’ or ‘recent’ and you will discover that Toyota has undoubtedly demonstrated the most consistant result of all wether it reflects the US, UK or Australian market and remains no different today.
You talk of reliability with the VS Commodore which is interesting because the Commoddore is infact amoung he most troublesome, unreliable and poorest quality vehicles that can be purchased in Australia and apatt from general knowledge of this, the bulk of Cust.Satisfaction / Quality Surveys have consistantly proven this year after year.
As for the Camry you refered to – interesting … becuase the widebody Camry (and subsequent models) rightly established a reputation for outstanding reliability/dependablity and my current ’second car’ which happens to be a 1994 2.2 4 cyl CSI widebody that i purchased secondhand but near-new many years ago has been absolutely outstanding although and at 14 years of age and 245 000km, it is only now i am starting to spend ’some’ money on the vehicle.
It is because of the reliability of my aged widebody Camry that reserved no hestitation for me to buy another Camry which is a 2003 4cyl manual Sportivo and bar some very minor issues, at 75 000km’s i have been equally satisfied.
I don’t believe it, what a complete farce. The environemtal damage done fabricating the panels more then out weighs the gains. Does anyone really want the aircon working whilst you’re not in the car, the additional wear on the compressor and use of the nasty gases in the aircon which need regular topping up cause even more environmental damage.
The Prius will now do more damage to the environment under its farcical ‘Green Flag’.
The statement about laying solar panels out on the entire roof of your house could only power two hair dryers doesn’t sound right to me.
The average hair dryer is around 1200W.
A 1kW Solar system is only around 1.5m x 2m (best guess, stand to be corrected if someone knows.), if I covered the roof of my house, I could run a hell of a lot of hairdryers ……
No Name, If the air con, system is working properly and with no leaks it NEVER needs topping up! If you are having this problem it’s because you have a minor leak. people don’t realise that the air conditioner should be used all year round even in winter, in conjunction with the heater not only will it keep the cabin more comfortable it will help demist on cold humid days also and more importantly the O rings that seal the hoses will not dry out and then leak in summer when the air is finally turned on.
If you still don’t like using the air con. in winter then you must run it at least 15 minutes every 2 weeks to lubricate the O rings and prevent leaks…..hope this was of some help mate!
Cheers
As for solar panels on a hybrid, i think it would make more sense to charge all the batteries therefore prolonging the time between when the engine kicks in. If i left a hybrid parked in the sun all day I’d prefer the batteries to charged when i got back to it rather than the air conditioner have been running all day and nothing to show for it!!!
umm Luke GT, didn’t you just prove my point that some manufacturers make good and bad ones? You got a good camry, we got a dud one. Other people have got dud commodores, we got a good one.. am i going too fast for you?
I’m glad your happy with your “wide bodied” carmy, interestingly the magna of the time was just as roomy and comfortable inside despite it not being “wide bodied”, but the fact remained our one was completely hopeless and gutless. We upgraded from a 2.6ltr 88 magna auto to a 2.2ltr 94 camry auto and believe me when i say that with 5 people on board, boot full, aircon on (we lived in townsville) on the highway the magna would still overtake a truck! that bloody camry couldn’t overtake a VW beetle! it was a fine car to potter around in but actually try and load it up and go on a trip with your family.. well it was hopelessly underpowered! And that was compared to a bloody carby fed 2.6ltr astron II powered magna! widely regarded as the worst of the magna’s!
Pruis? Yaaaaaaawn
Does it come with a free cardigan?
Hmmm, I feel like a good burnout. Might have to take the beast for a spin tonight. I love burnouts.
Dingo, there is no doubt you are grossly exaggerating about the “lack” of quality and refinement from locally built manufacturers. To say they amongst the worse is a major major overestimate. Especially compared to Daewoo, Citroen, early Fiats, Hyundai, Kia. Yes true Ford & Holden have had some unreliable cars in their time but you’ll find most of the problem models were imported models. Toyota’s have had the same problems, such as the Starletts and Echo’s with terrible interior quality.
like it or hate it there is no one out there that will say hybrid tecnology is not the way of the future! it is still fairly new and what some of you say about diesel well they have been around for years and that tecnology has peaked! hybrid has only just started, the new prius3 will not only be way more powerfull but will be even better on fuel which is currently rated at 4.4lt/100km
Burt I’m here to say Hybrids are NOT the way of the future. But they are a short term option. More than likely hydrogen is the way of the future and the quicker they can bring in the infrastructure and improve the technology.the better. Also diesel’s development has plenty of scope considering that motorsports have only just started using diesel powerplants and the best way advance technology is through motorsport.
Don’t Buy That New Prius! Test-Drive a Used Car Instead…
In 2006, an Oregon market research firm released an incendiary 500-page report. Its claim: A Humvee (13 miles per gallon city, 16 highway) uses less energy than a Prius (48 city, 45 highway). Scientists quickly debunked the study, but the Hummer lovers got one thing right. Pound for pound, making a Prius contributes more carbon to the atmosphere than making a Hummer, largely due to the environmental cost of the 30 pounds of nickel in the hybrid’s battery. Of course, the hybrid quickly erases that carbon deficit on the road, thanks to its fuel economy.
Still, the comparison suggests a more sensible question. If a new Prius were placed head-to-head with a used car, would the Prius win? Don’t bet on it. Making a Prius consumes 113 million BTUs, according to sustainability engineer Pablo Päster. A single gallon of gas contains about 113,000 Btus, so Toyota’s green wonder guzzles the equivalent of 1,000 gallons before it clocks its first mile. A used car, on the other hand, starts with a significant advantage: The first owner has already paid off its carbon debt. Buy a 1999 Ford focus, which gets a respectable 35 mpg, and the Prius will have to drive 100,000 miles to catch up.
Better yet, buy a three-cylinder, 49-horsepower 1994 Geo Metro XFi, one of the most fuel-efficient cars ever built. It gets the same average mileage as a 2008 Prius, so a new hybrid would never close the carbon gap. Sure, the XFi has no AC or airbags — but nobody said saving the planet would be comfortable, or even safe.