Fiat vehicles to include solar panels in new 'smart roofs'
Will the electric version of the Fiat 500 get solar panels?
(Credit: Chrysler)Fiat sealed the deal with Irish solar manufacturer SolarPrint, becoming the latest carmaker to add solar panels to the car roofs that will power onboard devices. Using low-cost photovoltaic material to offset parasitic drain from energy-hungry components, such as air conditioning and heating systems, is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 15 percent, according to an article in SiliconRepublic.
Audi, Volkswagen, and Toyota already employ similar technology in some vehicles to keep them cool while the engine is off.
Though the article didn't say in which vehicles the solar panels will be incorporated, the electric version of the Fiat 500 that Chrysler is planning on manufacturing for the U.S. would be the perfect application for this technology.
Source: SiliconRepublic.com
Liane Yvkoff is a freelance writer who blogs about cars for CNET Car Tech. She is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. E-mail Liane, or follow her on Twitter @faildater. 
- by NervClaX July 21, 2010 8:51 AM PDT
- How much will this add to the cost of the vehicle and how many of my tax dollars will be used to subsidize production and make them "affordable"?
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(3 Comments)I'm all for it if it makes economic sense to do so. Coming back to a cool car on a hot, sunny day sounds nice, but that's a luxury car buyers should pay for themselves.