Ford to Show C-Max Solar Energi Concept

Ford Motor Co. will show an innovative solar-powered C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid concept vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show this month, the automaker announced Thursday.

Ford added a 1.5 square-meter solar roof array to the vehicle that was developed by SunPower and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The concept car's rooftop solar panel system draws power from the sun with a special Fresnel lens similar to a magnifying glass that boosts sun power by a factor of eight, according to Ford. The Fresnel lens is a compact lens developed for use in lighthouses.

The system tracks the sun as it moves east to west, drawing enough power to equal a four-hour battery charge. With a full charge, the C-Max Solar Energy Concept has a total range of 620 miles, including 21 electric-only miles.

The vehicle will be shown at CES from Jan. 7-10.