Solar paneled umbrella will charge your gadgets while you hang in the sun

We see boatloads of solar charging gizmos around here, but they're usually not so... large. What we have here is a big sunning umbrella, for use outdoors (obviously), which has large flexible solar panels made by Konarka on top. The solar collecting panels store the energy in the stem of the Powerbrella as it's called, and it's got outlets at its base for charging your phone, PMP, etc. The 'brellas have already been tested in Florida, and are set to be manufactured by Sky Shades, for release sometime this summer. No word on pricing yet -- but there is one more shot after the break.

[Thanks, The Gadgets Weblog]

[Magnulus @ May 28th 2009 9:44AM]

When me and my wife's dream comes true and we have a house with a big ol' garden, we're totally getting something like this. Hook it up to a large battery and some lights as well, and you'll have a nice power-hub for evening lighting in the garden as well as the gadget recharge.

Please, though, make one that doesn't look as if panels have just been slapped on. At least match the colours up or something.

[Hiattech @ May 28th 2009 9:49AM]

Think the only way to match the umbrella to the panels would be a grey umbrella. I've never seen panels that weren't just that greyish-black... Though I haven't seem a lot of solar panels either soooo.... Neat idea though. I wouldn't mind one someday.

[David @ May 28th 2009 1:51PM]

but if its cloudy will it drain your battery back into the sky?

[nikster @ May 28th 2009 9:59AM]

the photo looks like a prototype, we'll have to wait and see about the real design. if they go in my garden, they'll have to look a whole lot nicer than this.

what i want is a solar powered air con. more sun, more heat, more power to the air con, seems like a no-brainer. i know they do this in some cars now (new prius), shouldn't be hard to adapt for home use. clearly the technology will have to be a bit different to what we have now, a lot more energy efficient. but it doesn't make sense that transporting heat out of the house should take as much power as modern air con units use... hmmm... maybe i'll have to invent this.

[Adam @ May 28th 2009 10:00AM]

This is one of the few solar powered items that make since. Your on vacation by the pool you don't need to back to your room to charge your phone. Most things solar are not cost effective but this should be a nice addition to hotels offering convience to the customers.

[kirankonathala @ May 28th 2009 10:30AM]

It is time America subsidizes Solar Panels like they do in Germany! We need solar everything, why rely on oil (and countries selling oil) while our mother 'SUN' is offering energy for free? Oops, G Bush, you can still be in Oil biz, don't worry!!

[kevincahoon @ May 30th 2009 3:43PM]

Yeah we should subsidize an overpriced technology (at this time) and make our kids pay for our debt. Great idea!

[AtomB @ May 28th 2009 10:33AM]

Shouldn't the title read, while you hang in the shade?

[Andrew ? @ May 28th 2009 10:42AM]

lets just hope that the kids running around the pool don't knock it into the water. they'd obviously have quite a few problems there...

[fezziweg @ May 28th 2009 11:28AM]

I dont think you have to worry about this device shocking anyone, and good luck about running an airconditioner, as it probably will be lucky to make more than about 40 watts of power.

[chanmanplanet @ May 28th 2009 11:33AM]

is it just me or does it look like it's been patched by some massive duck-tape...

[Stereotype @ May 28th 2009 4:46PM]

*duct tape

[Don Corleone @ May 28th 2009 11:42AM]

Great idea, though it looks a little hacky (mb an early prototype?).

imo solar panels should be on anything exposed to the sun (houses, office buildings, garages, people) - perhaps the price will come down as mass production goes into high gear, but dag nab it, it's been decades with this stuff and it still seems primitive.

[idiot @ May 28th 2009 11:52AM]

yet another seemingly-original idea of mine destroyed by engadget. why can't you just stop and let me believe that i'm creative and inventive???

[Frazer @ May 28th 2009 11:58AM]

There's no such thing as a "sunning umbrella", it's a PARASOL. In light of this, "Powersol" would have been a far better name, no?

*Facepalm*

[Brian @ May 28th 2009 10:04PM]

I just want one of those sweet looking flatbed Utes under the umbrella.

[Ranger Rick @ May 29th 2009 9:53AM]

I like this.