25th Anniversary of Record-Setting Solar Car - VIDEO ENHANCED

Inventor parlays fun experiment into a sunny career

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA - July 1, 2009: Solar-powered cars are just now making news, but 25 years ago, solar pioneers Greg Johanson and Joel Davidson set a Guinness world record for the fastest "Solely Solar Powered Vehicle."

On July 1, 1984, the Sunrunner achieved 24.7 mph in Bellflower California, and a final top speed of 41 mph in the Mojave Desert. The speed was officially recorded by Guinness approved independent observers and set the record. During 1984 and 1985, Johanson and Davidson extended an open invitation to race any other solar vehicle, but no one accepted the challenge. The record appeared in the 1986 Guinness Book of World Records.

But even before the record making runs, inventor Greg Johanson turned an enthusiastic interest in photovoltaics into a business. Today, his company Solar Electrical Systems of Westlake Village, California has grown from a one-man operation selling off-grid systems to become one of the most successful independently owned solar companies in the U.S. And then, in 2005, Greg combined his vast experience in solar with his long-held passion for solar-powered vehicles, creating a sister-company, Solar Electrical Vehicles. Now, Greg is not just helping residential and commercial customers to take advantage of the sun's power, he's helping them to maximize the fuel efficiency of their electric-hybrid vehicles. Customers can use their stationary solar systems to recharge their car's batteries when not in use, and the roof-mounted cells on the vehicles actually help add power to the batteries when away from a charging facility. Needless to say, Greg owns and drives a solar powered plug-in Toyota Prius.

In a phone conversation with Greg, he talked about how mature the PV industry has become, and how efficient and economically feasible it is to install and use a solar power system on a home or commercial building in areas of the country that are blessed with abundant sunshine. A system for an average home will cost somewhere in the $10-$12,000 range, and will pay for itself in about five years. Remarkably, installation can be completed in as little as one day, although the permit process is typically subject to longer local approval processes.

Click PLAY to watch Solar Electrical Vehicles' promotional video

For more information on solar power and solar-powered vehicles, call Solar Electrical Systems at 805-497-9808, or visit www.solarelectricalsystems.com.