The Clean, Green Solarve Bus – World’s First Solar-Powered Public Transport Bus
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (TYO:6764) and public transport operator Ryobi Group, have unveiled the world’s first solar-powered public transport bus to commemorate Ryobi’s 100th anniversary.
Solarve, which stands for Solar Vehicle, is a diesel-electric hybrid bus equipped with several roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels. The panels are made with Sanyo’s crystalline and light and flexible amorphous silicon cells.
According to the company website, "Sanyo HIT technology combines a thin monocrystalline silicon layer encased in ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers, providing solar cell efficiencies of up to 20.2 percent and an overall panel efficiency of over 17.7 percent." The generated power will provide continuous lighting to the interior LED lamps for up to nine hours.
The system will also run portable air purifiers as well. Eafuressha Eneloop units will help provide cleaner air and give bus passengers a more comfortable ride. According to Sanyo’s website, the units help filter about 99 percent of viruses, floating bacteria, allergens and dirt from the cabin air.
The restored bus is also equipped with four cameras placed at the top of both sides of the bus. The multi-angle vision system, developed by the Fujitsu Group, displays a 3D birds-eye view of the vehicle from different vantage points. Natural materials were used in the bus when possible.
The solar-powered bus is expected to roll out today in Okayama City, Japan.
Image courtesy of Sanyo
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Jace Shoemaker-Galloway is a freelance writer from Illinois. While much of her writing focuses on technology, parenting and online safety issues, she has a strong interest in environmental and renewable energy-related issues as well.
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