Solar Parking Lots for Electric Bikes in Tokyo

March 19th, 2010 by Zachary Shahan

Wow, too many cool things in one places! Sanyo has just completed two solar parking lots for electric bikes in Tokyo. And a third one is on its way.

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The first two stations are for 40 Eneloop electric bikes and the third one will be for 20 such bikes.

Not only that, but the bikes will be “community bikes” for residents and visitors in the Setagaya ward to share (details on how the system will be run are still to come).

Technical details from Sanyo are as follows:

“For each of the bicycle parking lots operated by the city of Setagaya at Keio Line Sakurajosui Station and Tokyu Den-en Toshi Line Sakurashinmachi Station, HIT solar panels (approximate 46m2, 7.56kW) are installed on the roof to generate sufficient power to recharge the batteries of a total of 100 ‘eneloop bike’ units and illuminate the LED parking lot lights. […]

By combining ‘HIT solar panels’ with ‘lithium-ion battery systems’, SANYO’s Solar Parking Lot enables recharging the electric hybrid bicycles without any commercial power source, even at night or on a rainy day. The lithium-ion battery system also features AC power outlets that can be used to power external equipment during an emergency. In addition, the installed system incorporates a ‘DC charger.’ The ‘DC charger’ enables photovoltaic energy generated and stored in DC (direct current) to be used directly and effectively without AC (alternative current) conversion.”

Electric bicycles are great for those who need a little extra boost going up hills, on long rides, etc. If they can be powered directly from solar power, all the better!

via Treehugger & Sanyo

Image Credit: Sanyo

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Tags: bicycles, bikes, electric bicycles, Electricity, Japan, parking lots, Sanyo, tokyo

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.