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SunPods Inc., a California-based manufacturer of modular, fully integrated and tested solar power generation systems, today announced the industry’s first solar power-assist system for buses. This Thin Film Solar System Enables Uninterrupted AC and WiFi Without High-pollution Engine Idling
The SunPods Sun Bus Power System was developed in less than six weeks in collaboration with Bauer Intelligent Transportation, a leading provider of chauffeured green transportation, to enable the company’s fleet to meet the strict anti-pollution standards set by the State of California. SunPods’ modular solar power assist system consists of four thin film solar panels that run the length of the bus and charge an on-board battery bank. When the bus engine is off, the batteries power the air-conditioning and wireless connectivity equipment, enabling transportation companies to effectively meet anti-idling standards without compromising passenger comfort. SunPod’s solar power-assist system has been in operation on a Bauer IT bus, undergoing testing since January 2010. In an effort to meet air pollution standards, since 2008 California state law has prohibited diesel vehicles from idling for more than five minutes. More than 25 states across the United States now have anti-idling laws.