Lately there has been a lot buzz around the 2010 car models that offer a solar panel roof. While the concept is not actually new, it is however more refined. The vehicle getting the most attention is the Fisker Karma. With its sleek design, elegant interior, optional "stealth" or electric driving mode, and of course its solar panel roof, this ride will cost you about $80,000. The company has promised more models in the next few years starting around $40,000. Another vehicle with the solar panel roof available in 2010 is the Toyota Prius, which is also an electric car. The Audi A8 has used this concept effectively for some time now. In 1992, Mazda tried the solar panel system in one of its sedans, but it proved costly and ineffective. Perhaps (and hopefully) things have changed since then.
What do these solar panel roofs do? Think of it like the solar attic fans that use collected energy to pump out hot air therefore keeping your home cooler and requiring less usage from your A/C. The solar panels on these cars will use the collected energy to keep the interior cabin cooler. With the Karma it works to keep the cabin cool even when the car is off and parked (if you choose). Both models offer different settings so the driver can control how the collected solar energy is dispersed. For example, in the Karma, instead of using the energy for cooling the cabin, you can choose to instead have it add charge to the battery or set it to "auto" and the car will expend the energy how it sees fit.
Some say the solar panel roof concept for vehicles may be more about bragging rights, and that the small size of the panels limit the amount of energy that can be collected. They believe the impact of the collected solar energy is minimal, while others say the comfort aspect with the extra cooling to the interior cabin makes it worth it for them. Surely solar technology will advance and become more affordable in the future and we can expect to see more panels on cars, homes, traffic lights and building rooftops among other places. And don't forget about the tax breaks citizens are entitled to when they invest in green technologies.
Resources:
WIRED 18.07, "DRIVEN: How Henrik Fisker Aims to Floor the Auto Industry" by Chuck Squatriglia
USA TODAY, "Automakers install solar panels on such cars as Prius, Audi A8" by Chris Woodyard
$40,000 is still expensive for a car. If people want to buy these "solar panel" cars, I say great. But, don't buy one because you think you are doing your share to help the environment. The mining for the silica used to make solar panels is incredibly destructive to the environment. If you are aware of that, and still want a solar panel car, then enjoy.