With a Redesign At Toyota, Solar Power Is Coming to Car Culture

As part of a 2009 redesign, the Toyota Prius will sport solar panels on the roof to power its air conditioning system, according to the Nikkei business daily, making Toyota the first car company to use solar technology. Toyota will use the solar cells made by Kyocera Corp to make the high-end versions of the gasoline-electric hybrid car, the report said. The Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid, and more than one million have been sold since the car’s debut 11 years ago.