While I don't think that hybrid cars are the future I do think that they are a step in the right direction. It's all about maximising energy efficiency and the Toyota Prius has led the way in North America.

One of the features that I recently learned about was the solar roof upgrade package. I'm glad to see a car maker who is utilizing more of the car to generate electricity.

While a rooftop panel isn't really going to generate that much electricity (especially since it's probably thin film) every little bit counts. The interesting part is what this energy is going to be used for.

Picture this scenario... it's the middle of summer and your car has been parked outside soaking up all that sun. You need to run errands so you get inside the car. WOW! Is it ever hot in here! Not in the 2010 Prius. The solar panel on the top is going to power a fan which will blow air from outside into the cabin... effectively 'cooling' it so it's the same temperature as outside. No more burnt bottoms from the seat or burning your hands from the steering wheel.

I'm thinking that this is just the beginning of what automakers are going to be doing with solar panels. This is probably a pilot test to see how the market reacts and whether there is demand for it. Eventually, we might see all the the auxiliary parts of a car powered by the energy that the solar panels collect. Since your car engine doesn't have to produce that energy your MPG goes up which is great.

The one thing I worry about is looks. Our society has conditioned us to think of cars as status symbols and solar panels aren't exactly the prettiest things in the world (which is probably why the solar panel is on the roof). I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly, but I think there was some work done on different colored solar panels (green I think- for tree leaves). If this could have a breakthrough where we could have many different colors of solar cells I'm sure a car coated with them would be quite popular.

Of course there are quite a few barriers to overcome such as the fact that a white solar panel is going to be less efficient than a black solar panel.

I'm glad to see the Prius is pushing the envelope with integrating solar panel technology into cars. Keep it coming!

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