Deceptive Solar Buses

Ryobi Bus Uses Sanyo Solar Panels to Power Interior LED Lights

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.

Interior Solar Lighting
Trend in using solar panels for interior lighting to reduce dependency on grid-based electricity.
Hybrid Bus
Trend in promoting hybrid buses, which uses multiple sources of energy for transportation.
Renewable Energy Partnership
Trend in creating partnerships between companies to promote renewable energy and innovate in the transportation industry.

Sectors Adopting This

Transportation
Opportunity for transportation companies to explore the use of renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions in their operations.
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.
LED Lighting
Opportunity for LED lighting companies to diversify their market and innovate in solar-powered lighting solutions for various industries, including transportation.
SCORE
2.5 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe, Asia
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 13%
Activity 55%
Freshness 8%