solarpowered
Latest
Toyota is definitely maybe developing solar-powered car
Around half a year ago, we heard that Toyota was engineering a Prius that would get part of its energy from the sun; now, we're seeing an eerily similar story from Japan suggesting that the plan is still on. In a rather odd report, it's noted that the automaker is "secretly (oh, is it now?) developing a vehicle that will be powered solely by solar energy," though it's also working on a partially solar-powered whip that'll come out long before the pure solar alternative. Regrettably, details beyond that are few and far between, though the premise here is completely reasonable given the current economy and the desire for automobiles that run on anything other than petroleum. Guess we'll check back in six months for yet another elusive report on the so-called progress.
Solar Arcadia deals solar iPhone cases
Until Apple pumps out the next-gen iPhone with integrated solar cells, we suppose Solar Arcadia's solar-powered cases are your next best option. Available in both SideFlip and Leather Flip models, the cases not only offer relatively stout protection for your handset, but they also include a solar panel in order to give your mobile a few more minutes of life while you're out and about in the sun. Each one is constructed from ABS sheepskin and is available in either red, white or black (Leather Flip is black only) motifs; not too shabby for $45.95 -- just don't expect this thing to dramatically increase your time of use.[Via TUAW]
Solar-powered Voltaic Generator laptop bag gets reviewed
Voltaic's Generator solar bag first hit the scene at CES 2008, and it has just now begun to filter out to deep-pocketed, environmentally-friendly laptop owners. The crew over at Laptop Mag was able to take it for a spin, and overall, they seemed a bit perturbed by the whole thing. It was not particularly ergonomic, it always fell over on itself when sitting idly on the floor and it was just too heavy to be lugged around with any level of comfort. Furthermore, there aren't enough options for laptop connectivity, meaning that lots of people will probably be left in the cold due to the limited support for notebook models. Reviewers felt that $499 was simply too much to ask for such a cumbersome device, and if two hours of extra life is worth that much to you, you're probably better off buying another battery and donating the rest to a green cause.
Sony shows off stylish Hana-Akari solar-powered lamp prototype
We've seen a few attempts to turn solar cells into something a tad more fashionable, but this new so-called Hana-Akari prototype from Sony goes quite a bit further than most, with it employing a newfangled "dye-sensitized" technique to spruce up the otherwise drab solar cells. Apparently, Sony not only sees those being used to power the lamp itself (which appears to use LED lights), but other devices as well, although it seems to be keeping expectations somewhat in check by only showing it with a small fan. As you might have guessed, there's no indication of a release date for any actual products just yet, or a price for that matter, but Sony says that the dye-sensitized process itself is both cheap and effective.[Via BoingBoing Gadgets]
Solar Vertical Lamp: one more reason to close the blinds
Could everyone just dole out a round of golf claps for Yoon-Hui Kim and Eun-Kyung Kim? Swell, thanks. These two designers have conjured up something that any second-rate hotelier (we kid... kind of) would love, as the Solar Vertical Lamp provides an eco-friendly (and eye-catching) alternative to those drab lamps from the 1980s. With the blinds open, you'll hardly notice anything unusual, but all the while tiny solar pads are being charged up; when time comes to shut these very blinds, a lighting instrument appears to brighten the otherwise darkened room. Brilliant, right?[Via Inhabitat]
Helios solar concept car is bird-like in that it evolved from lizards, has wings
We'd stick out if we were to drive the Helios concept car down the Long Island Expressway or the 405, but almost every other solar-powered car we've seen looked like an old Trabant cursed with further ugliness by a wicked witch, so considering the circumstances we're impressed. The sadly-only-on-paper vehicle netted designer Kim Gu-Han the Best Use of Technology award at the 2008 Interior Motives Design Awards for its frill-neck lizard-inspired solar fan, which unfolds when the car is immobile. If the renders are any indication, though, it's meant only for Martians -- please tell Marvin we're jealous, cause the eco-friendly cars we get now generally look like they were designed by someone with all the exuberance and colorful panache of Al Gore.
Husqvarna's solar-powered Automower headed to the US
Husqvarna's plain old battery-powered Automowers have been available in the US for some time now, but it looks like the company's solar-powered hybrid model is now finally making the trip across the pond as well. From the looks of it, the model is the same one we caught sight of back in March, with the 22-pound mower promising to handle lawns up to half an acre in size and not emit a single emission whilst it does its business. As with the regular models, it'll also return to its base to speed up the charging process when it gets low on juice. Unfortunately, there's no word on a price or release date just yet, though we wouldn't expect it to sell for too much less (if any) than the £2,000 (or just over $3,000) it sold for in the UK. Husqvarna will apparently have more to say about that at the Green Industry and Equipment Expo that's now getting underway in Louisville, Kentucky.[Via The Raw Feed]
New solar generator system from Solyndra is totally tubular
We all know the internet is not a big truck, and the rolling blackouts in California not that long ago showed our power grid isn't either. Part of the solution could be a series of tubes, a new type of solar generator from a company called Solyndra that replaces the usual square solar roof panels with something that would make Senator Stevens proud. The company's photovoltaic rods are able to catch rays from any direction, meaning they don't need to be tilted to point at the sun. Also, since they're not shaped like a silicon kite, they don't need the same big, beefy installation brackets. This cuts installation costs in half and has helped to drive $1.2 billion in orders from eager would-be customers of this three-year-old startup. Want to see 'em for yourself? Head on down to the Solar Power International Expo next week in sunny San Diego.[Via Make]
Brando's Solar Mini Clip Fan ruins your shot at picking up friends
Unless you're strolling through Disneyland (or Dollywood, we suppose), we can't imagine anyone not giving you an awkward stare when you approach them with this on. Brando has triumphed once more by offering up the Solar Mini Clip Fan, which does a remarkable job of explaining itself. For those who can't understand what's going on here, it goes like this: clip on the fan, get out in the sun, experience a mild breeze on your brow and enjoy the solitariness. Obliterate your shot at being the life of the party for just a Hamilton.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Nihon windowpanes feature built-in photovoltaic cells
Think your house is green? Think again. Japan's own Nihon Telecommunication System has just revealed a line of windowpanes that actually include integrated photovoltaic cells. The windows are aimed at the (ritzy) residential housing market, and folks that snag a few will reportedly be able to power a PC and recharge their cellphones simply by tapping into the energy generated by these units. Additionally, the glass is designed to shun most of the sunlight from coming into your abode, thereby lowering air conditioning costs and satisfying your needs as an introvert. So, what's the pain for helping out Mother Earth? Around $1,900 per square meter of windowpane -- ouch.[Via CrunchGear]
Fresno-Yosemite International taps into solar power
Never heard of Fresno-Yosemite International? Thanks to this low-key airport now housing the largest solar installation of any airport in the entire United States, you have now. Arriving passengers will notice the panels a half-mile out, as they cover about seven football fields worth of land and will eventually result in taxpayer savings of $11 million. The 2-megawatt farm has been churning out clean energy for the past month, and electricity from the installation helps to run "everything from airport lighting to tower communications." FYI's aviation director even noted that it would "produce about 40% of its annual electrical requirement." If you're worried that other locales won't follow suit, don't be -- a similar, albeit smaller system is already in the works at DEN.[Via Gadling, thanks Trowa]
Roberts releases solarDAB: world's first solar-powered DAB radio
Roberts may get ridiculed for its design cues, but one thing's for sure: it sticks to its guns. The latest patently ugly (but sort of cute) DAB radio to emerge from its lair is the solarDAB, which predictably gets energized by the sun. The unit packs a top-mounted solar panel along with a "level indicator on the display screen that shows the strength of the solar level being absorbed." Once the rechargeable batteries are fully juiced, said radio will blast out tunes for a whopping 27 hours. You should be able to secure one in a variety of colors here soon for £79.99 ($158).[Via TechDigest]
Orange's recharge Pod tent to keep mobiles juiced at Glastonbury
For those fortunate enough to be planning a trip to this year's Glastonbury, you can rest assured that forgetting your mobile charger won't be the worst thing that could possibly happen. Reportedly, Orange will erect a seven-meter high recharge Pod tent in which patrons can stop by and reinvigorate their winded handset. Said tent will boast 500-watt solar panels and a 500-watt wind turbine in order to generate electricity for the lifeless phones, and Orange is hoping to juice up 100 devices per hour. If only such conveniences were everywhere...[Thanks, Adam]
Video: Solar-powered theremin shoved into Altoids can
Look out, modders -- the venerable Altoids tin is making a comeback. Shortly after the YBox2 rekindled our love for the immensely versatile box, along comes James G. Watt with yet another fantastical creation. The device you're gazing at above is a solar-powered theremin, which is good for making all sorts of cacophonic sounds anywhere that sunlight is abundant. For those unfamiliar with such gizmos, head on past the break for an admittedly strange sounding demonstration. [Via MAKE]
Napa Valley winery flips on Flotovoltaic solar array
Chalk another one up for Sharp. The company has landed yet another partner willing to utilize its solar panels in order to make news, wow onlookers and give Mother Earth a modicum of a break. Napa Valley winery Far Niente has flipped on its self-coined Floatovoltaic installation, which was developed by Thompson Technology Industries and installed by SPG Solar. Nearly 2,300 Sharp solar panels were secured for the job, and we're told that the array generates 400 kWs at peak output, which "significantly offsets the winery's annual power usage and provides a net-zero energy bill." Don't expect that coveted bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to be any cheaper as a result, though.[Via CNET]
Thanko's solar-powered DAP urges you outdoors
So we've seen a few solar-powered gizmos (that we wouldn't touch with a ten twenty foot pole), but Thanko's own sun-lovin' DAP actually doesn't look half bad. The Solar Digital Audio Player, from the front, looks like any other ho hum unit, with a 1.8-inch 220 x 176 resolution display, 4GB of internal storage space and a miniSD expansion slot. Flip 'er over, and you'll find a thoughtful kickstand that just so happens to have a solar panel slapped right on, enabling the brilliant, outdoor sunshine to give it a few more minutes of life. There's no official word on a price or release date, but we wouldn't bank on it ever coming Stateside, anyway.Update: Seems this is just a rebadge. So much for thinking ahead, huh?
Solar-powered hearing aids improve life in developing nations
The SolarAid really isn't much different than your average hearing aid in function -- it enables hearing-impaired individuals to get a better listen at the world around them. The difference, however, comes from its source of energy. Through a series of tragic and fortunate events, Howard Weinstein wound up in Africa with a goal in mind: to concoct a hearing aid that even the poorest of citizens could afford. Through a series of grants and help from hordes of deaf individuals that had no qualms holding a soldering iron, some 20,000 folks in 30 countries are currently using the solar-powered devices. Best of all, the mastermind isn't slowing down, as he's looking to expand the nonprofit into the Middle East, China and India in the not-too-distant future.[Via CrunchGear]
Devotec's portable Solar Charger is minuscule, pretty cheap
We know, it's tiresome scouring the streets for an AC outlet when you've got oodles of sunshine surrounding you. That's where Devotec Industries' Solar Charger comes in. The smallest (and freshest) addition to the company's line weighs in at under 80-grams and measures just 95- x 43- x 10-millimeters, and packed within you'll find an 1800mAh battery. Of note, users can also juice up the device via USB or AC for when cloudy days swoop in, and it comes bundled with a slew of tips to handle the most popular handsets out there. Yeah, it does take a full day of sun (12-hours, to be precise) to get this thing fully charged (or 4-hours by AC / USB), but then again, it'll only set you back £19.99 ($40).
California man builds his own solar-electric vehicle
Although Brent Hatch's homegrown solar-electric whip looks eerily similar (read: just as ugly) to the SUNN solar car kit, this one was actually created without the help of any pre-packaged parts or sophisticated schematics. After his gas bill rose well over $700 a month (he and his wife have seven kids, after all), he decided to purchase a rather unsightly eight-seater bicycle and figure out a way to enable roof-mounted solar panels to power an electric motor. Nah, the top speed isn't very impressive, and you certainly wouldn't want to head out on I-5 with it, but it sure makes picking up the offspring from their nearby school a whole lot less painful on the wallet. Check out the video in the read link for more.[Thanks, Dave]
Chinavasion's do-it-all handheld doubles as solar charger
Yeah, we've seen solar chargers crammed into some fairly interesting places, and the latest questionable call comes from who else but Chinavasion. The CVEAB-S828-2 handheld features 2GB of internal memory, a media player, 3.5-inch display, integrated LED flashlight (saywha?) and of course, pre-installed emulators for NES and Game Boy titles. Beyond all that, users can crack this bad boy open, lay it out to bake, and watch it magically recharge its own batteries courtesy of the internal solar panels. And if for whatever reason that's still not enough to draw you in, it can also recharge other gizmos attached via USB when parked under the sunlight. Still, we wouldn't believe for a minute that this thing will actually work precisely as advertised, but those with oodles of faith can take the plunge for $123.32.[Via Tech Digest]