Solar Powered Oddities
Solar Bird House
Solar Bird House
Birds need their comforts too. This little solar oddity, designed by Studio Oooms in the Netherlands, was designed for our little garden friends. It works no different from energy saving solar set-ups. Mounted on the roof is a small solar panel which, during the day, tops up a small rechargeable battery built in to the box. When dusk arrives the glowing perch lights up to add that bit of comfort to whatever is inside.
Solar Bus Shelter.
Solar Bus Shelter
San Fransisco has plans to convert 1,100 of its bus stop to solar power. With photovoltaic solar cells built in to its roof the hope is that this will provide the power for low energy Light Emitting Diodes for night time use. Also as part of the plan, solar powered Wi-Fi access which will please a lot of Franciscans.
Each shelter comes in at a hefty $30,000 with the costs being recouped by feeding excess electricity back in to the grid and on site advertising.
Solar Powered Police Car.
State troopers in Ohio are having their police crusiers fitted with small solar panels. The tiny 5 watt solar cell is hoped to intervenor battery performance and help power radios and other onboard equipment when the engine is turned off.
The panels each cost $37 and could possibly last 5 years. The hearts may be in the right place here, but at 5 watts the capacity might just be a little bit too low to be much use.
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