The third generation Toyota Prius which gets 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway can also be equipped with a moonroof made of polycrystalline silicon solar panels manufactured by Kyocera, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of silicon-based solar panels.  The vehicle’s air conditioner as well as the ventilation fan will be able to draw power from the photovoltaic array when there is sunlight on the 36 15x15cm cells.  These amount to a 50 watt system.

A basic Prius retails at $22,000, which is 12% lower than the price point of its predecessor.  The solar moonroof option will cost an additional $2,076.  The integrated system will not have an appreciable effect on the vehicle’s aerodynamics Toyota says.

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