The Ryobi bus built for Ryobi's 100th anniversary is a joint project between Sanyo Electric and Ryobi and is being promoted as the "world's first solar-powered public bus." A Japanese-language press release said that the 'futuristic hybrid bus' uses Sanyo solar-electric panels mounted on its roof as part of the bus' power source.
The thing is that the Ryobi bus isn't solar-powered in the sense that it moves using power from the sun. No. The roof-mounted solar panels power the interior LED lights.
Deceptive Solar Buses
Ryobi Bus Uses Sanyo Solar Panels to Power Interior LED Lights
Trend Themes
1. Interior Solar Lighting - Trend in using solar panels for interior lighting to reduce dependency on grid-based electricity.
2. Hybrid Bus - Trend in promoting hybrid buses, which uses multiple sources of energy for transportation.
3. Renewable Energy Partnership - Trend in creating partnerships between companies to promote renewable energy and innovate in the transportation industry.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - Opportunity for transportation companies to explore the use of renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions in their operations.
2. Solar Power - Opportunity for solar power companies to enter the transportation industry and offer solutions such as solar panels for hybrid buses and increase their market share.
3. LED Lighting - Opportunity for LED lighting companies to diversify their market and innovate in solar-powered lighting solutions for various industries, including transportation.