Adam Mikloski, a Hungarian designer has designed Mango, an eco friendly LED street light powered by rainwater and sunlight. Mango designed leaf like structure, top part is suitable to install tiny solar cells and also for collecting rainwater. As water runs down the Mango, it rotates a set of turbines. The power from solar cells and turbines will be stored in the inbuilt rechargeable batteries.
Revolutionary of photovoltaic applications in the architectural building has undergone rapid development, starting from ordinary technology to high technology in the 3rd generation, they are:
1. First generation (the 1980s)
PV panel module with an iron framework just mounted on the field of building flat roof with a brace (tracking).
2. Second generation (the 1990s)
Photovoltaic cells (PV) developed more integrated part of building materials: roof materials (tiles, shingles).
The first environmentally friendly solar hybrid air conditioner announced by LG electronics in Korea. This new product provides up to 70 watts of electricity per hour through the solar cell modules installed on the top of the outdoor unit.
Orkys, a solar powered orchid light come from Vivien Muller, the designer of eco-friendly gadgets, Photon Synthese.
Capture sunlight through flexible solar cells in the leaves, Orkys is a very interesting decorative items for the modern interior, and energy efficient way of lighting up the room.
Recharge your mobile phone and camera with usb & universal solar trees charger. 54 tiny photovoltaic panels will store energy in batteries during the day, so you can recharge your items whenever you need them. All cables installed and hidden under the electronic bonsai tray. This object constructed by several modules installed along with a 3.5 jack connector. You can rotate each part individually and create a different form in large quantities. It’s decorative and ecological. [Via]
Outdoor solar lights uses the identical action to generate power as the solar panels on your ceiling (or that you could set up on your ceiling, if you selected to). Essentially, it applies photovoltaic (PV) cells, which accumulate and switch solar energy into electrical energy. The PV cells apply semiconducting materials to engage the sun’s light, which interacts with the silicon and another components to produce electrical energy. The electrical energy runs over cables which power the battery, which in go powers the light. This is an highly simple explanation, but it will present you the common idea of how solar cells play. They can only make electrical energy from direct sunshine, which is why solar lighting wants a battery in order to be able to light up the dark.
So that the batteries to keep a constant charge, the solar light fixture should be in a position that meets full sunshine for almost of the daylight. If it just gets partial sunlight, because it’s barred by trees or other construction, or because your area has much of cloudy conditions, the batteries will run out earlier, and your fixture will supply light for a lower amount of time. Most outdoor solar lights fixtures own a backup power system which applies rechargeable batteries. Solar lights fixtures which apply a small amount of electrical energy frequently apply small AA Ni-Cad or NiMh batteries. But more strong solar lights fixtures (like head lights) apply a covered lead acid battery.
Photo detectors that automatically evaluate light degrees (like the kind that tells your photographic camera when to apply its flash) are constructed into the solar lights fixtures. They monitor light degrees and turn the fixture off at morning and on at nightfall. But get sure there are no artificial light sources (like a street lights or head light) that may contribute a wrong reading and forbid the light from turning on.
Outdoor solar lights usually utilizes LED bulbs. They apply less power than incandescent bulbs and, with a lifetime of around 20 years, are much longer-lasting. Until lately, solar lights overall has not been as bright as lighting powered straight by direct current electrical energy. But the earliest super bright LEDs can at present illuminate as well as halogen bulbs.
You have heard about the proverbial hairdryers, have you not? Those noisy types of mopeds sprawling the streets of suburbia?
Now the Cambridge University students have created a solar-powered racing car that travels at 60mph speed, using the same power as a hairdryer. The car is to be completed by summer 2009, in time for the World Solar Challenge, an annual gruelling race across the Australian outback, from Darwin to Adelaide. The Cantabrigian creation, the Bethany, is highly tipped to win the competition.
The Bethany’s power source is collected via silicon cells that cover the car’s top; under this top, the car will be an efficient electric device. The car itself looks sleek and shiny, and, thanks to such design, weighs mere 170kg, has a battery management control system in place, an energy generating braking system, and an energy-efficient hub motor. The team behind the car’s creation estimates that the car will take 50 times less power than a normal car running on petrol.
Cambridge University may be the second oldest in England, but it is likely to be the first when it comes to devising new ideas for cars. At least, they definitely hope to show how future green vehicles can be generated based on the Bethany model. To quote their spokesperson, “at a time when the automotive industry is being forced to look at a low-carbon future, our vehicle demonstrates the enormous potential of energy-efficient electric vehicle technologies”. About 75 students from across the Cambridge University have been working on the vehicle’s design and build. Their efforts were supported by a network of corporate sponsors, academics, and specialist advisors.
In the next months the racing team of four students will be testing the car across the Outback, working in four-hour shifts, to cope with the heat. During the race, though, the Bethany will be fitted with an advanced cruise control system. It will be automatically adjusting speed, depending on the changes to road conditions and weather. The only thing the drivers will be left to do will be to steer the car and stay alert.
Related topics include wind generator
Executive Summary about Solar Lighting by Simon Harris
Outdoor solar lighting adds to the looks, or curb appeal, of a home. Because there are so many designs and styles of outdoor solar lighting, people can use them anywhere.
How Solar Lights Function
Small photovoltaic cells turn sunlight into solar electricity.
Options for Solar Lights
Some outdoor solar lights turn on when they detect motion. Other solar lights remain on from dusk until dawn.
Disadvantages of Solar Lights
There’s only one common flaw with solar lights.
Benefits of Solar Lights
One of the most talked-about benefits today is the fact that solar lights are an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional, electricity-using outdoor lights. Solar lights are also a fairly inexpensive option in terms of both purchasing and use. Finally, solar lights are easy to install. With traditional outdoor walkway lighting, for example, users needed to dig a trench and bury the wire that connected the lights to the power source. In the end, outdoor solar lighting may be the wave of the future.
10 Uses for Outdoor Solar Lights
Executive Summary about Solar Lighting by Dave Joa
Solar Lighting can be used in many ways
Here are just a few examples of practical applications for outdoor solar lighting:
1. Solar Accent Lights
For specialist use in the yard or garden these are designed for accent lighting along the edges of driveways, walkways, paths and entrances to homes, garages and other buildings.
2. Solar Lanterns
Typically these solar light fixtures include many different and unique designs of solar lights to enhance any part of your garden and yard.
3. Solar Motion Sensor Lights
Because solar lights are easy to install they can be located in those places where traditional lights and the wiring required are a problem.
4. Solar Spot Lights
Use solar spots to light up any individual objects outside you home such as trees, bushes, a flower bed, statues or even a pond or stream.
5. Solar Flood Lights
If you want to light a much larger area then solar flood lights will help you to do this.
6. Solar Sign Lights
7. Solar Pond and Pool Lights
Today you can now get small solar powered lights in a wide rage of different colors that will float permanently in your pool or pond to giving a dramatic and potentially moving light show all night long.
8. Solar Flag Light
Just like the solar sign lights there are now specialist lights for lighting the flag on your flag pole if you have one or the whole flag and pole together.
9. Solar Rope Lights
These are great for creating great lighting effects anywhere in your yard and garden but especially on patios and decks, They can be run along anything such as under a deck railing or around things such as tree trunks and deck posts or hung on buildings or in trees.
10. Solar Christmas Lights
Yes, you now even get solar Christmas lights for your tree or other features outside and around your home.
