"The acquisition, which... could cost about $8.8 billion, would fortify Panasonic's competitiveness in rechargeable batteries and solar power equipment as demand grows for greener energy sources. Panasonic would at the same time become the world's second-largest conglomerate with a major electronics division, behind General Electric and surpassing Hitachi Ltd as the biggest electronics maker in Japan."

See Panasonic to buy Sanyo, more deals may follow | Technology | Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE4A60AQ20081107?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews)

Like that SNL Weekend Update segment: "Really!?!"

For even greener pastures for environmentally friendly, I could possibly dream of these guys after the merger developing a Lithium-ion battery with a solar cell installed in it's case. Whether it be cars, houses, or even camcorder batteries.