Sun Station: The Free Solar Charging Station
Yesterday, we took a look at the RITI Printer— a nifty concept printer that uses coffee grounds for ink. But another entrant in the Core 77 Greener Gadgets Design Competition may be even more innovative: the Sun Station. Julene Aguirre-Bielschowsky has designed a piece of public furniture that doubles as a solar energy charging station.
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The Sun Station is made up of concrete, teak wood, and stainless steel. It theoretically can provide 84 W of energy generated by monocrystalline solar cells. The cells are located 3 meters above ground for less shading and maximum efficiency, and energy is stored in a battery pack or grid-tied system under the Sun Station’s seat.
The device’s socket is protected by a transparent safety cover. A display that highlights the Sun Station’s energy use is located under the socket.
With 94 votes, the Sun Station is one of the most popular entrants in the Greener Gadgets competition— vote now if you want it to gain even more clout.
Photo Credit: Greener Gadgets Design Competition
“It theoretically can provide 84 MW of energy”
Perhaps this was supposed to be 84 W? 84 MW is impossible but 84 W would be consistent with about a single square meter of solar cells.
I would give good odds on a bet that the production and installation of the station would, in the end, provide more environmental costs than benefits (even if only CO2 emissions are considered). So many of these so-called green or sustainable products seem to be trendy and, when looking at their life-cycle environmental damage, worse than traditional practices.
David - You’re right, and I just changed the number to 84 W. Production and installation would probably take a hefty environmental toll, as well, but I do like the idea of a free solar charging station in a public place.
You are missing the point. Small solar system are ‘distributed generation’ power systems, no, or very little, transmission required. Even with a small battery to store power, for cloudy days or at night, this type of application could be very sensible. For example, off grid bus stop shelters could have lighting without tearing up the street, and without the associated costs to run power lines.
Just imagine, after a major grid black-out, bus stops with lights on, traffic lights still blazing away on their day-time charges, hallways and stair-cases lit up like Christmas trees, all thanks to LED’s better batteries and really good solar cells! Even my lawn lights would still be ablaze! Fantastic. We are entering a new age, a better age, and a less crippled by the corporate overlords age. I like it!