In a Nikkei article published yesterday, it was revealed that Toyota has green lit plans to offer solar panels on its popular Prius hybrid vehicle. The solar panel option will be available on the high-end Prius model [read: over priced for the crappy car it is] when it receives a redesign in 2009. [hopefully it’ll look more tesla, and less... bug-like)

Strangely, the Japanese business newspaper also reports that the power generated by the solar panels will be used for the air conditioning system. [what will they be used for during the winter?]

The solar panels are being manufactured by Kyocera Corp. Previously, Gizmodo has covered some DIY solar panel options for the Prius, but the news today confirms that an official offering is now forthcoming from Toyota. It's a start, right? Read about it here at Reuters.