When you think of the most efficient way to charge an electric vehicle you most likely point directly towards the sun. It’s free, it’s pretty much never ending and most of all, it’s green. Well, it seems that one company by the name of SolarCity has decided to capitalize on this fact recently announced that they will be installing solar powered quick charging stations along Highway 101 in California.

If all goes well, SolarCity hopes to install several more charging stations in an attempt to make a large interconnected network. Let’s hope it goes well and SolarCity expands this venture elsewhere.

via autobloggreen

Tags: California, highway 101, solar panel, Solar-powered, solarcity

Continue reading...

Currently roads do nothing more than provide a space to drive your car. However, that all may change soon enough thanks to Solar Roadways and the Department of Energy. What you see above is one of their concepts, a series of extremely durable solar panels being utilizes as a road.

Solar Roadways, the guys behind this concept, have recently been granted $100,000 from the Department of Energy to develop a 12×12 foot solar panel that would be used as a road surface. Even better, these solar panels will include a series of LED lights for use with updating signals and signs.

Just imagine a future where the United State’s entire infrastructure of roads were covered with these solar panels. Couple that with consumer friendly all electric vehicles and you have yourself a sure win.

via gizmodo

Tags: department of energy, solar panel, solar roadways, technology

Continue reading...

Panasonic Corporation will be participating at the upcoming Global Green Challenge in October to be held in Australia, sponsoring the Solar Electric Vehicle Team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by supplying high capacity lithium-ion batteries. In return, the MIT SEVT team will be placing the Panasonic logo on the body of the vehicle.

The Global Green Challenge is an offshoot of the World Solar Challenge which started out in 1987 in Australia. With the call for alternative power and fuel alternatives for better transportation, it looks like the attention has been on these solar powered transport alternatives. Mostly conceptualized by students, it would not be surprising to find a new vehicle coming out from these project cars as one of the sure observers will be the car manufacturers themselves who are soliciting ideas from such events.

Solar cars use motors which run on electricity generated by solar panels. Excess electricity is stored in their batteries. The batteries supply electricity to the motor when the electricity from the solar panel is insufficient, due to overcast skies or at night.

(Source) Press

Tags: alternative power, excess electricity, fuel alternatives, lithium ion batteries, massachusetts institute of technology, offshoot, overcast skies, panasonic corporation, panasonic logo, project cars, sevt, solar cars, solar electric vehicle, solar electric vehicle team, solar panel, solar team, supply electricity, transport alternatives, world solar challenge

Continue reading...

Toyota has announced that in a stint to continue their 2010 Prius promotion they will place several giant sun flowers, pictured above. The first being in Boston then expanding to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco later on.

These giant sun flowers will feature solar panels that will provide users with power outlets to charge things such as their laptops and cellphones. Along with that, the giant flowers will provide free WiFi access to the surrounding area.

via Autoblog

Tags: charging station, Prius, promotion, solar panel, sun flower, Toyota, WiFi

Continue reading...

Everyone knows that the Toyota Prius has changed the face of mobile preference thanks to its hybrid capabilities but the new batch comes with something special. They are equipped with rooftop solar panels.

Toyota just unveiled its new Toyota Prius, and it takes its eco-friendliness to the next level. Yes, it’s still a hybrid that gets excellent gas mileage, but now it also comes with a giant solar panel on the roof to soak up the sun’s rays and convert them into energy to power your stereo and air conditioner.

The great thing about these panels is that they work even when you aren’t driving. That means that when you come out to your car after working all day, it’s got a bunch of energy saved up from just sitting there in the sun. The new Prius will be on sale in Japan soon for between $21,000 and $26,000.

(Source) Crunchgear

Tags: air conditioner, gas mileage, hybrid capabilities, Japan, solar panel, solar panels, Toyota, toyota prius

Continue reading...