Stellar Solar Vice President and Co-Founder Michael Powers next to his ad-wrapped, solar-charged Nissan LEAF.

Stellar Solar is walking the talk so to speak when it comes to practical, real-world applications of solar power.

Co-founder and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Michael Powers recently took delivery of a new 2011 Nissan Leaf electric car that is being powered primarily from electricity generated by his 3.5 kW Stellar Solar residential solar system.

Stellar Solar actually followed in the trailblazing footsteps of one of their customers, Peder and Julie Norby of Carlsbad, California, who have been powering their Mini E electric Mini Cooper for the past year with their Stellar Solar system. SolarChargedDriving.Com wrote a feature story on Peder and his EV+PV experiences last year.

"Purchasing the Nissan Leaf and powering it with a Stellar Solar installed system provide great real-world examples," said Powers.

On a personal cost savings level, I am now driving for around 2 cents per mile (versus 20 cents for a gasoline car) and saving over $2,000 per year on fuel costs alone
--Michael Powers, Nissan LEAF owner and Vice President of Stellar Solar

Solar-charged driving saves $$
Plugging into solar-charged driving is not just a savvy marketing move by Powers. Powering an EV with solar saves money.

"On a personal cost savings level, I am now driving for around two cents per mile (versus 20 cents for a gasoline car) and saving over $2,000 per year on fuel costs alone" noted Powers.

The Stellar Solar Nissan Leaf is wrapped in an attention-grabbing vinyl graphic that notes that it is "Powered by the Sun and Stellar Solar."

Also featuring faux solar panels, the car has been attracting lots of attention on roads and parking lots around San Diego.

"The response has been amazing," said Powers. "People first comment on the innovative design and good looks of the car, then they realize we are powering it with solar and they get very curious. I've already talked to a number of people who are seriously considering solar and an electric vehicle as a result of seeing this car."

More information on the Stellar Solar Nissan Leaf and Peder and Julie Norby's Mini E can be found at http://www.stellarsolar.net/leaf.

Related articles-->

• Driving on sunshine -- it's a gas!
• CalCars.Org founder first with Volt, LEAF -- and solar
• Preaching EV + PV in solar heaven: Arizona
• Solar-charged driving 101

Like this story? Interested in the solar EV/PHEV synergy? Join our Sun Miles® Club and start meeting & interacting with other people around the world who want to drive, or already are driving, their cars on sun! Register to join us today!