solar-powered AC on the Prius

Another example of technological advance and market processes within the auto industry-- this one in an AP article in the LA Times (hat tip: C-J)...


Toyota's Prius gas-electric hybrid will become even greener next year with solar-powered air conditioning on some high-end models...The solar panels on the roof of the new Prius model will provide 2 to 5 kilowatts of electricity...

Toyota has made hybrid technology the pillar of its growth strategy, promising to deliver hybrids in every model in its lineup soon after 2020. Toyota has sold more than 1 million Prius models over the last decade and is planning to sell 1 million hybrids a year sometime after 2010....

Adding solar panels to a model targeting mass consumers would mark a first for a major automaker...