SunTable brings solar power to your patio

There's certainly no shortage of solar panels of various shapes and sizes that'll let you charge and use your various gadgets outdoors, but those looking for a slightly more permanent solution now have a new option to consider courtesy of the folks at Sudia Design Labs, which recently introduced its appropriately-named SunTable. In addition to comfortably sitting six people, it's able to provide up to 150 watts of power and recharge fully in just three hours of direct sunlight. To make use of all that juice, the table also comes with an inverter to let you plug in a laptop or other device and, naturally, it includes some LEDs to inform you of its status. As you might have guessed, however, that convenience comes at quite a cost ($3,600), and you'll have to act fast, as there's only fifty of the tables up for grabs, with 'em set to start shipping on March 15th.

[Via Slash Gear]

[Spanky @ Dec 20th 2007 9:55AM]

what does it have to recharge? it is a perpetual source for electric energy. Does it have batteries attached for storage?

[j @ Jul 25th 2008 11:24AM]

It has internal batteries, Spanky. AND its a perpetual source for electric energy, as long as there is sun

[Gadgie @ Dec 19th 2007 3:35PM]

Comfortable? Yeah, right...

Solar panels are designed to absorb as much sunlight as possible, which is why they have dark colors; as a result of this, the panels get extremely hot. Using this as a table would be a horribly painful experience unless you never touch the tabletop or you wait until its dark outside to use it.

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Dec 19th 2007 3:42PM]

I was about to say that. Photovoltaic cells come with a warning on them that tells you not to touch it or you'll be horribly burned. Probably in more PC terms, but to that affect.

[Majortom1981 @ Dec 19th 2007 5:45PM]

Yes but in the summer why would you sit in direct sunlight anyway. I am guessing it would be used when nobody is sitting at it.

[Neil @ Dec 19th 2007 3:42PM]

Apart from the heat that I'm sure you'd be feeling if you were to rest your hands on that table you're eyes I'm sure would be feeling the "heat" too from all the glare that table is sure to generate....this is a nice idea only in concept.

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Dec 19th 2007 3:45PM]

Plus somebody that has a patio that looks like that wouldn't be able to afford a $3600 table.

[Speddy @ Dec 19th 2007 3:46PM]

...then there is the "beer spill-efficiency ratio"

[Tommy @ Dec 19th 2007 3:49PM]

Regardless of the functionality of using a solar panel as a table in the sun, lets just review the economics of the situation.

If you assume an average price of electricity around the country is $.10 per kWH and with out moving the table around your house 2-3 times a day you'd get no more than 7 hours of direct sunlight, that works out to around 300 YEARS to recoup the cost of the table in electricity savings. Obviously that assumes the price of electricity stays constant at $.10, which it won't, but still it would have to sky rocket overnight for this table to come even close to economically feasible. Unless the cost comes down or the price of energy goes way up the only people buying this table will be the uber green freaks with more money than sense.

[Jonathan @ Dec 19th 2007 3:54PM]

Economically feasible?

Most people aren't putting in PV because it is economically feasible. They're putting it in cause it's sexy and they want to be the first on the block with it.

And in terms of actual PV production... the PV module's performance drops way off with partial shading. Put a bunch (or even a little bit) of stuff on that table and kiss your production goodbye.

[Tommy @ Dec 19th 2007 4:25PM]

They're pushing Compact Flourescent Blubs because they "Save you $XX per year". The average American only mildly cares about being green in their personal habits. Its much more about their wallet. They'd probably push more for eco-friendly methods of generating the power for the entire grid, not saving a buck or two on their power bill by running a laptop off a solar cell table.

[SteveA @ Dec 19th 2007 4:39PM]

Actually it is quite economically feasible for any business to put up solar power - even in Seattle. I did, and have a 7-year payback on the array at today's rates. With a 40 year lifetime, it'll be well worth the money. This table however is just a ripoff.

http://www.jbdg.com/solar.html

[kjb434 @ Dec 19th 2007 4:53PM]

Truthfully, that is the reality to most alternative energies. Fossil and Nuclear fuels are the most economical for the next 200 years easily.

[NHAnimator @ Dec 19th 2007 3:48PM]

You plug in your notebook, put in on the table next to your hat and coat, open up a file and spread some documents around the table, maybe a plate with some snacks.

Finally, your ready to get to wo

[mmears @ Dec 19th 2007 3:51PM]

...and forget about using a tablecloth! ;-)

[Sander de Regt @ Dec 19th 2007 4:00PM]

How much will be lost efficiency wise when using coasters?

[m @ Dec 19th 2007 4:02PM]

it's easy to criticize, but did any of you geniuses notice the word "recharge"? in other words, it's got a battery-- you can charge it in the day (when you and your 5 friends are away working, presumably), and use the table and its stored power at night to run your lights or a radio at dinner. but please, somebody tell us how much power and carbon will be expended building the tables, etc.

[Blair @ Dec 19th 2007 4:10PM]

Moral of the story, net net, whatever buzzed word you want. This was a great idea that should have stayed just that, an idea.

[Jacob @ Dec 19th 2007 4:30PM]

And, what about the cost in lawsuits when the neighbors' kids come over and inadvertently touch your dangerously scalding hot solar panel, which you've now dressed up to look like an inviting piece of lawn furniture?

[BigD145 @ Dec 19th 2007 5:10PM]

A typical 150 Watt system shouldn't cost you more than a tenth of what this table is going for. Major ripoff.

[Damien @ Dec 20th 2007 12:52AM]

I'd love to see where I can get a similar watt solar system including PV, batteries, inverter, the whole package for around one tenth of the price.

[gary @ Dec 19th 2007 5:39PM]

I think you guys are missing the point. You probably wouldn't use it while charging anyway. Because of the battery inside you would use it at other times -
in the sun maybe with an umbrella, or at night would be sweet.

And also, the individual cells are wired individually, so if one is covered (with a laptop or work or whatever), the rest of them still work.

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2007 5:44PM]

What about putting the solar panels above the table? As a shade for those using it. If I was sitting outside I'd want to be in the shade. That way, so long as it's physically stable (not top heavy) the heat is away from you and your guests and you're not getting sunburned. Everyone's a winner!

[Ahmed Alzayani @ Dec 20th 2007 2:56AM]

Good idea :)

[rento @ Dec 19th 2007 5:44PM]

Well, I guess thats better than a wind-turbine table.

[george @ Dec 19th 2007 5:54PM]

This is sick! Simple, effective. I'm buying one.

[tekdroid @ Dec 19th 2007 6:51PM]

A Sunbrella would be far better idea.

[*jules @ Dec 20th 2007 1:41AM]

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