Patrol to save money, energy with solar panels (The Medina County Gazette)
COLUMBUS ? Some newly purchased technology will allow the Ohio Highway Patrol to save money and energy in its 1,150 cruisers statewide ? even when they?re turned off.
Five-watt solar panels soon will be installed at the rear deck of the cars at all posts. The panels will be wired directly to the cruiser?s battery and will convert solar energy into power for the vehicle, an OHP spokeswoman said Thursday.
She said the technology will allow troopers to turn off cars when they?re on stationary patrol or at accident scenes. While the cruiser is off, the panels will power the troopers? radios and other electronic equipment and prevent the battery from dying.