Gizmodo Australia » solar powered

But How Do They All Fit In Such A Compact Car?

Nick Broughall — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:46:55 +0000

This is the team behind the solar car which won the Global Green challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide. Seems to me that they would have been pretty crowded in that thing…

The car itself used Sharp solar panels to give it enough juice to chug along at an average of 100kph. It output 1.8kW, with a conversion efficiency of 30%, and although that sounds low, it’s relatively one of the highest in the world.

The real question now though is this: Would you drive this thing? Personally, I’d rather drive a Roadster…

Oversized Solar-Powered LED Flowers Make For An Ostentatious Lawn

Jason Chen — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:20:00 +0000

Converting things that are out in the sun to run off solar power makes a lot of sense, like lawn ornaments, these flowers or air conditioning units. Zambonis? Less so. [OGE Gallery via Mocoloco via BBG]

Solar Powered Car Attempts to Circle Globe as Slowly as Possible

Jack Loftus — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Another day, another golf cart size, three-wheeled solar-powered car with style ripped from the 1980’s. At least with this one, the Solar Taxi, there’s a record at stake, as Swiss “adventurer” Louis Palmer is taking the car on a trip across the planet without using a drop of gasoline. He’ll be the first to do it, and we’re hoping his example will inspire more alternative energy cars (hopefully a few have that elusive fourth wheel). The 56kph top speed is going to be a tough sell with us Yanks. Palmer, my man, haven’t you heard? Women and men alike get hot and bothered by power and speed.

The Solar Taxi gets its juice from a US$5,000 solar panel trailer provided by German company Q-Cells. Weather permitting, the trailer provides the Taxi with 100km of oompf. Longer runs are powered by a pair of US$15,000 115kg recyclable batteries from Zebra Battery. They store energy from the sun and from whatever electrical socket Palmer can find at night (it’s just like searching for a socket at a conference, but bigger, and people will still manage to trip awkwardly over the cord).

Altogether, Palmer said the rig gets about a 320km range between charges. As of this weekend, Palmer and his crew had travelled 43,500km across 28 countries, so that’s a lot of stop and go driving—or is that charging?

The trip is scheduled to conclude in December, but Palmer won’t be finished just yet. He’s also in the middle of planning an 80-day solar powered race around the world for sometime in 2009. [ABC News]

1500mAh Solar Powered Charging Case For the iPhone 3G

Sean Fallon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:40:00 +0000

Yes, yes…we have heard plenty of complaints about iPhone 3G battery life, and there are already several solutions like battery packs and rechargeable hip holsters hitting the market. However, the new case from Mobile Fun has one advantage over all of these other devices–it can be charged by the sun.

The case itself features a sizable 1500mAh battery pack that they claim can be charged by the sun in as little as three hours. It also has a mini USB to USB cable that allows you to charge from your PC or hook up other gadgets for a quick shot of sweet solar juice. The case is slated for release in August in both black and white versions for around $54. [Mobile Fun via SolarFeeds via EcoGeek]

Brando’s Firefly Lamp: For Those Romantic Digital Insect-Light Moments

Gizmodo US Edition — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

A non-USB product from Brando, and one that’s surprisingly cute? Good grief, I nearly fell off my keyboard. These Firefly jars are solar-powered, charging up during the day and adding a simulated bioluminescent insect-arse glow to wherever you pop them at night. The kitchen worktop, perhaps—perfect for lighting your way to that midnight snack. Standing 15.2 cms high, they glow in orange, but are they more eco-friendly than trapping a real firefly in a jar? Probably not… but at least its kinder to animals. Available now for US$45. [Brando]

Santa Monica’s 160,000 LED Ferris Wheel Powered By The Sun

Gizmodo US Edition — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Santa Monica has delivered a bright and shiny upgrade to its Pacific Ferris Wheel, dismantling the old one to make way for a new behemoth that boasts 160,000 LED lights. The 27-metre ride, manufactured by Chance Morgan Rides, delivers visual performances every night and cost the city US$1.5 million. Thanks to solar panels that soak up energy during the day to power the wheel, those extravagant light shows have a minuscule carbon footprint.

When it was built in 1996, the Pacific Wheel was the only solar powered ferris wheel in the world. The old wheel was auctioned off on eBay for over US$130,000 to an Oklahoma City real-estate developer. Grant Humphreys, the developer, plans on incorporating the wheel into a mixed use residential community.

It has appeared in several Hollywood films, including A Night at the Roxbury and Thank You for Smoking. There’s no doubt that its younger and more attractive replacement will probably get some screen time as well. [Crunch Gear]

Concept Phone Charges Self With The Rays Of The Sun

Gizmodo US Edition — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Another day, another concept phone. This Eclipse Intuit, by Eddie Goh, features a touch keypad with tactile feedback, 5 megapixel camera with built-in photo editing software, a giant touchscreen and a chemical-based thin solar skin that will charge the battery when exposed to light.

It sounds all well and good, except how often does anyone keep their phone out in the open gathering sunlight? Usually if I’m out and about, my mobile stays firmly in the depths of my handbag or in my back pocket and, last time I checked, sunlight doesn’t reach there. I guess this phone is going to stay a concept. [Yanko Design]

World’s First Solar Speedboat Does 30 Knots Gas-Free

Gizmodo US Edition — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:30:00 +0000

Looking to zoom through the oceans in a stylish, but also somewhat environmentally friendly, manner? Check out the Czeers MK1 prototype solar speedboat, a 10-metre long rig that manages to pack in 14 square meters of solar panels to power an 80KW electric motor. The MK1 plows through the water at a breakneck 30 knots, using no oil and producing no fumes or engine noise. Hit the jump for a video of the boat in action.

The boat is made from 100 percent carbon fibre and has an LCD touch-screen control system, leather trimmings and, most importantly, photovoltaic cells on almost all its horizontal services. Czeers is hoping to produce between 4 and 8 boats per year. Pricing is not yet available, but considering that the last version of the MK1 was last shown at the Millionaire Fair, you can probably bet it’s super expensive. [Gizmag]

Beijing’s Gigantic LED Wall Is Fully Solar Powered

Gizmodo US Edition — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Say what you will about the fiascoes leading up to the Beijing Olympics, but the event has brought along with it some amazing new architecture. Greeting visitors attending the Xicui entertainment complex near the site of the games is a 20,000 square foot wall of computer-controlled LEDs, the largest of its kind ever built. Better yet, the wall manages to power itself completely using only the sun.

The GreenPix Zero Energy Media Wall, designed by Simon Giostra & Partners and Arup, uses thousands of solar capture cells attached to each of its glass panels to charge up during the day and then release dazzling light shows at night. It’s the first time perforated photovoltaics laminated in glass have ever been used in a building in China, but if all goes off without a hitch, it most certainly won’t be the last.

The wall is a combination of three textured panels in low-, medium-, and high-transparency glass, employed together to create a “continuous carpet” of flowing design that’s actually roughly 7 feet deep. The wall will showcase low-resolution LED imagery, to help conserve energy and paint an artsy gauze on whatever does get shown.

The project will be completed in June and will feature performance works by artist from all over the world. [Technabob]

Scientists Propose Flashing Mirrors on Moon to Catch ET’s Eye

Gizmodo US Edition — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Far more serious than beaming a salted snack advert into space, scientists at Pennsylvania State University in State College suggest that if we really want to catch the attention of aliens, then we should cover half the moon in mirrors, and send coded flashes of light into space. Always assuming ET’s not too bored by us, that is.

Properly angled and lined up to reflect light from the sun, the mirrors could be used to increase the amount of light reflected by the Earth-Moon system by up to 20%. Any alien eye scanning the heavens—or, more likely, an automated system like SETI set up by aliens—should be able to easily spot the modulations. A set of prime numbers in flashes would be a good choice, since these are easily distinguishable from natural variations. Furthermore, pop photovoltaic cells on the other side of the mirrors, beam the energy to Earth by microwaves and you’d have enough power to seriously impact the climate crisis. Not a bad idea, eh? [New Scientist via KurzweilAI]