Solar Powered Gadgets

In 2008, total global photovoltaic capacity passed the five gigawatt mark. Think of examples of photovoltaic technology in action and the immediate image that comes to mind may well be a solar-panelled roof, or a vast stretch of solar panels lined up in some hot and sunny part of the world. You’d be right, but what might not be immediately apparent is the sheer volume of smaller consumer and corporate-intended products out there, right now, which also incorporate photovoltaics.

Here, Enviro-News presents a selection of the most innovative new solar-powered gadgets either already on the market, or poised to make waves in coming months.

The Orange Solar Concept Tent

What is it?
The Orange Solar Concept Tent is a visionary approach to environmentally friendly camping, launched at the 2009 Glastonbury Festival. Employing state-of-the-art eco-energy technology, the tent is both a power source for vital camping equipment, and a form of interactive communication.
What Can it Do?
The tent’s construction embodies strands of photovoltaic fabric, which convert solar energy into electricity. It also features so-called “glo-cation” technology, through which the tent glows on receipt of a text message from its owner. This allows it to be picked out from the thousands of similar tents at your typical music festival. A central hub allows gadgets like iPods and mobile phones to be recharged whilst also providing a wireless Internet signal. Additionally the groundsheet has an inbuilt heating element, which provides under-floor heating when the internal temperature drops.
I want one now!
Sorry, but you’ll have to wait for the moment, since the Solar Tent is still at concept stage. To find out more, though, check out Orange’s recent coverage of it.

The Sunflower Power Station

What is it?
The Sunflower Power Station is a dual-purpose small-scale photovoltaic device. Inspired by the natural shape of a sunflower, its flower is a photovoltaic trap for solar energy, which it converts into electricity.
What can it do?
The electricity produced by the Sunflower can be drawn upon by plug-in devices by using one of three sockets around the Sunflower’s base. At the same time, the Sunflower is a music player and features a CD player and a pair of speakers!
How can I find out more?
The Sunflower is a product of Portuguese designer Ricardo Baiao and while Enviro-News understands that the device is in the final stages of its release, it might be worth keeping an eye on http://www.khemu.com for further updates.

Atomic Solar Watch

What is it?
The Atomic Solar Watch forms part of Casio’s G-SHOCK range. Incorporating photovoltaic technology, this watch keeps time through a constant update system, through which six atomic clocks positioned around the world (including one each in the UK and the US) feed it data.

In terms of energy efficiency, its photovoltaic component provides it with an endurance of seven months, in between solar exposure charges.

Purchase this item.

6-in-1 Robot Kit

What is it?

Purely and simply, a toy, but one with undeniable environmental sensibilities.

The Robot Kit allows six different varieties of robot to be created, including an aircraft, a car, a boat and a dog.

Strictly speaking, it isn’t the kind of thing Enviro-News would usually cover, save for the fact that it highlights how photovoltaic technology is filtering down into the toy industry. And that’s no bad thing.

Where can I get one? (for my children, of course!)
Gadget emporium Red 5 currently stock the 6-in-1 Robot Kit, priced at £13.00 or $21.

Purchase this item.

Solar-Powered MP4 Player and Charger

What is it?
An MP4 player with a two Gigabyte capacity that incorporates a pair of minute dual-purpose photovoltaic panels. These panels can either provide a direct recharge to the player itself, or their electricity can be sub-contracted out to other electronic devices, which can plug into it via USB.
What else can it do?
The MP4 Player is marketed an as all-encompassing portable power generator, in the sense that it can accept a range of voltage inputs from 4.5V to 9V. So it can charge mobile phones, other MP4 players and digital camera alike. Available from the Solar Centre for £137 or $226.

Purchase this item

Q-SOUND Solar-Powered Headphones

What are they?
The Q-SOUND solar-powered headphones represent a new concept in renewable energy technology within the field of portable audio equipment. The headphones incorporate a bank of tiny blue-coloured solar panels with enough total efficiency to give a 2.5:1 output/input ratio. In other words, 60 minutes of solar energy will provide 150 minutes of music. The panels themselves are manufactured out of flexible plastic, allowing them to mould to the smooth curve of the headphone’s profile.
Where can I pick up a pair?
Nowhere, yet. The headphones currently exist purely as a technology demonstrator. However, it may not be too long before designs similar to the Q-SOUND enter the mainstream.

Sharp Solar Phone SH002

What is it?
Sharp’s SH002 is a new hi-tech mobile phone with a vast solar panel on its lid. In terms of performance, it can deliver one minute’s talktime off a 10 minute solar energy charge. Alternatively, the same length of solar exposure lets it stay on standby for 120 minutes.
Any other benefits?
Yes. Aesthetically, the SH002 looks very sleek, but it is also waterproof.
Is it widely available?
Japanese telecommunications firm KDDI is set to be its sole distributor, as things stand. Initial customer deliveries were scheduled for the summer of 2009.

iUnika GYY Solar-Powered Notebook

What is it?
The GYY Solar-Powered Notebook unites modern-day computing technologies with up-to-the-minute photovoltaics. It makes its market debut next month (June 2009) – the first solar-powered notebook to become available to consumers, as far as Enviro-News is aware. In terms of performance, the GYY boasts approximately 128 Megabytes of RAM, along with a 64 Megabyte hard drive and an 800-by-480 resolution screen.

Power Purse

The what?!
The Power Purse! A modern fusion of ultra-chic and photovoltaics, the power purse features an array of minute solar panels capable of capturing the sun’s rays and turning them into electricity to power small, electronic devices like iPods and mobile phones. In its case, the solar panels used are wafer-thin in profile.
Where can I buy one?

The power purse was conceived and developed by US university student Joe Hynek. A product-dedicated website, www.solarjo.com, should be selling it before too long. (Image provided by www.solarjo.com)