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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