Hasta La Gadget!

Okay, so that solar-powered electroluminescent wallpaper never caught on, and neither did the EL sports jerseys that stood poised to make the most boring of events at least look exciting. But, this latest application of the tech seems bound to succeed — if only because it caters to drinking establishments and their affinity for blinking lights. Anokimobi has released a sign that charges during the day, giving it power for up to 14 hours of light pollution at night. It’s totally waterproof and can even be powered by an auxiliary power source should a cloudy spell interrupt a week of drunken debauchery. No prices are advertised, but we’re sure the company would be happy to send you a quote.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Anokimobi’s solar-powered electroluminescent signs light up your eco-friendly bar crawls originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After JAXA’s announcement of space-based solar power for Japan, we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled for some news of similar projects Stateside. Lo and behold, California’s largest energy utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, has agreed to do just that, inking a deal with solar power startup Solaren Corp. The agreement calls for the utility to purchase 200 megawatts of electricity once the company starts beaming power down from Earth orbit beginning in 2016. A solar-power satellite would consist of mirror arrays — perhaps measuring up to several miles wide — which would focus sunlight onto photoelectric cells. From there, the electrical power is converted into a microwave beam that is directed downward toward Earth, where it’s converted back into electricity and then fed into the grid. According to the company, the system could generate roughly 1.2 to 4.8 gigawatts of power, at a price comparable to that of other renewable energy sources. When asked for a comment, legendary sci-fi jazz composer Sun Ra was more than enthusiastic. “Space is the place,” he said.

[Via Fresno Bee]

Filed under: Wireless, Science

Solaren Corp to supply California with space-based solar power originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Given that Florida has accurately been coined The Sunshine State, it’s not at all shocking to hear that America’s first “solar city” will be built in the state’s southwest corner. Or, at least that’s the plan. According to a new report, West Palm Beach-based Kitson & Partners is currently developing a new city near Charlotte County, which will get juiced by a massive 75-megawatt solar plant. Said plant will cost around $300 million to build and will be installed by Florida Power & Light; if all goes well, homes will begin construction on a sizable plot of land dubbed Babcock Ranch by 2011. If things don’t go so well, we’re told that the actual power plant will still be erected and fed into the larger grid. In other words, Florida’s gettin’ some solar power, with or without this newfangled concrete jungle.

[Via Fark]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

75-megawatt solar plant to power “first solar city” in Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re on the planet tomorrow night, you may just want to check out Engadget’s own podcast producer, Trent Wolbe, on his WFMU radio show. Sure, Trent can be found assaulting the airwaves there every single Monday, but this coming one (March 30th), the show will be live from the Solar One facility on the East River in NYC, and the broadcast will be entirely solar-powered. Oh, there’s going to be live performances by some great 8 bit / handheld, artists too. We love that. Hit up WFMU.ORG for all the details, or to listen to the show live tomorrow night, from 8-10 PM EST. Should be awesome, friends.

[Via Solar One]

Filed under: Announcements

Solar-powered broadcast on WFMU New York Monday night may just change your life originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When you name a custom built vehicle Eleanor, it better be good. It better be really good. But in fairness, the machine concocted by MIT‘s Solar Electric Vehicle Team is actually one of the more stellar creations we’ve seen on wheels. The newest iteration is a touch taller than prior versions and should be more comfortable to operate. Additionally, designers managed to increase the frontal area by 30 percent, all while keeping the drag area exactly the same. The juice comes from six square meters of monocrystalline silicon solar cells, and reportedly, the car can run all day long (providing the sun shines brightly the entire time) at a steady speed of 55 miles per hour. Eleanor will be competing later this year in the World Solar Challenge in Australia, and in preparation, the team is hoping to drive it across America this summer. So yeah, if you’ve ever wanted a summer to try hitchhiking, this would be it.

[Via Wired]

Filed under: Storage

MIT team develops solar car, boldly calls it Eleanor originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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