PV panels on Hybrid Cars

I always wondered why hybrid cars did not have some sort of PV panel on the roof or trunk area. It seems that a PV panel could help charge the batteries or keep them at optimum charge, thus reducing the use of the gas motor. This is especially true of plug in hybrids, which rely more on the electric motor and batteries than there non-plug in cousins.

It seems that Toyota has been thinking the same thing:

Toyota Motor Corp plans to install solar panels on some Prius hybrids in its next remodeling, responding to growing demand for “green” cars amid record-high oil prices…

The panels, supplied by Kyocera Corp would be able to power part of the air-conditioning on high-end versions of the gasoline-electric Prius, the source said.

“It’s more of a symbolic gesture,” said the source, who asked not to be identified. “It’s very difficult to power much more than that with solar energy.”

That is interesting that it is seen as a “symbolic gesture.” Of course, it would be impossible to power a moving car with a solar panel, but I would think that storage would not be an issue with the hybrid’s battery bank available. Plus, think of all those cars in the mall parking lot… If each one was charging a battery while it’s owner was in shopping, how much energy would that be saving when the happy shoppers returned home?

PV and all solar energy systems work rather like a marathon versus a sprint. Over long periods of time, large amounts of energy can be collected and used. High energy short term needs are still best met by hydrocarbon energy systems.

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