Tag solar

In a blend of sustainable energy and outdoor adventure, Jackery is redefining the concept of off-grid living with its latest innovation: a rooftop tent that doubles as a powerful solar generator. Debuting at CES this year, this 1000W system, featuring retractable solar panels, is not just a fleeting showcase but a promising reality set to enter production in the latter part of 2024. Positioned atop a pickup, the tent unfurls to reveal a sizable solar array, angling gracefully toward the sun. The retractable panels are designed to generate up to 4.96kWh daily in the sunny western U.S., diminishing slightly to 4kWh as one travels eastward. While details about its wind resilience are pending, the focus, for now, is on its remarkable energy-harnessing capability.

Designer: Jackery

Rooftop tents equipped with solar panels aren’t novel, but Jackery’s approach is. Traditional setups often rely on lightweight, flexible panels that don’t fully utilize the available surface area, leading to suboptimal energy conversion. Jackery changes the game by covering the entire roof with solar cells and extending them outward, ensuring maximum power generation and neatly integrating the necessary wiring to feed the Jackery power station.

The concept feeds into a separate 1.26kWh E1000 Plus power station, boasting 2000W of AC output, enough to power a range of appliances from a portable air conditioner to an electric cooker. Interestingly, the E1000 Plus isn’t just sun-dependent; it can also recharge from your car or a wall jack, offering flexibility for various travel scenarios.

Beyond power, the tent promises comfort and convenience. It’s equipped with a memory foam mattress, insulation, dimmable and color-controllable lighting, and waterproof fabric with blackout windows. The promise of an “onboard charging module” in the production version adds a layer of anticipation to what’s already an exciting proposition.

As Jackery prepares to bring this concept to life, outdoor enthusiasts and tech aficionados alike wait with bated breath. The company’s innovation not only offers a greener way to travel but also promises a blend of comfort and convenience that’s often lacking in off-grid adventures. While we await more details and the eventual roll-out in Q4, one thing is clear: the future of outdoor living looks a lot brighter, and it’s powered by the sun.

When venturing out to buy wireless headphones or earbuds, the primary consideration is their battery backup. This one feature holds high merit for those who travel a lot. A pair of cans or buds that can be free from this constraint, or at best, have limitless battery power at their disposal is the way to go and solar-powered function makes this possible.

Urbanista hooked on to this idea with their impressive Los Angeles headphones and the Phoenix TWS earbuds. Then adidas followed suit with their solar-powered RPT-02 SOL headphones. For audio lovers who want to stay away from the hassle of charging their headphones or earbuds time and again, these products make complete sense.

Designer: Urbanista

Riding on the success of the over-ear headphones and the Phoenix earbuds, the Stockholm-based company has announced the second generation of both these audio products. Just for the record, both of them are currently in development and expected to launch sometime in mid-2024. The good news is, they are going to cost slightly less than the first-generation versions. Los Angeles headphones will carry a price tag of $179 (vs $199 for the original version) and $129 for the Phoenix earbuds compared to the $149 of the earlier version. For those who are eager to have a first look, the audio accessories by Urbanista will be demonstrated at CES 2024.

Similar to the predecessors (the current versions on sale), they employ the latest version of Powerfoyle solar charging material to charge the batteries. They absorb natural sunlight as well as light from artificial sources indoors to charge the battery. The amount of charge will depend on the intensity and duration of exposure to light but it will be impressive, offering at least a week of non-stop listening to infinite music if you live in places that have a good share of sunlight all year round. In case they run out of juice, the conventional method of charging them via the USB-C ports is also there.

The Los Angeles headphones typically will give ample juice for four hours of listening daily on a 10-hour low-light charge with 50 days before another charge is needed. The second-generation Phoenix on the other hand will offer around 16 days of playtime with similar parameters.

They come with better-designed components for improved efficiency, so we can expect them to stay charged for longer. The design of both is more streamlined and the Active Noise Cancellation is now adaptive meaning it applies the ANC depending on the amount of noise in the ambient environment.

When you spend a lot of time in your backyard or outdoors, having lights that contribute to the ambience and illuminate the place is a must. If you’re eco-friendly of course, you would prefer solar lights although not all that are available in the market have that of a good design. Lately we’ve been seeing lights with better aesthetics, have multiple purposes, and use sustainable energy instead of your usual electricity.

Designer: Mpowerd

The Luci Solar Site Lights is one such product that meets all of that criteria. You can use them as “stringless string lights” or you can also stake them on the ground or put them up wherever you would need aesthetic lighting. They are able to illuminate up to 1,000 square feet and can last up to 20 hours on a single charge. The light nodes are IPX4 which means that they can survive splashes of water but cannot be submerged in it.

There are three light modes that you can choose from: low, medium, and high and they have dual-directional on/off swivel. They can light up gardens, picnic areas, and other outdoor settings. You can also use it indoors if you want by putting a glass or transparent cup to diffuse it. Each set comes with 6 hangable and weatherproof lights, 6 ABS stakes with notch, and a rechargeable 2,600 mAh battery with recharge case that has a built-in solar panel but can also be charged through USB-C charging.

These lights are portable enough that you can bring it whenever and wherever you want to have a party under the night sky. You can even put them on your pets or on yourself if you need to walk around with lights instead of carrying a flashlight. And since they are solar powered (but with the option to still charge if you didn’t get enough sunlight), you get to lessen your carbon footprint.

When you spend a lot of time in your backyard or outdoors, having lights that contribute to the ambience and illuminate the place is a must. If you’re eco-friendly of course, you would prefer solar lights although not all that are available in the market have that of a good design. Lately we’ve been seeing lights with better aesthetics, have multiple purposes, and use sustainable energy instead of your usual electricity.

Designer: Mpowerd

The Luci Solar Site Lights is one such product that meets all of that criteria. You can use them as “stringless string lights” or you can also stake them on the ground or put them up wherever you would need aesthetic lighting. They are able to illuminate up to 1,000 square feet and can last up to 20 hours on a single charge. The light nodes are IPX4 which means that they can survive splashes of water but cannot be submerged in it.

There are three light modes that you can choose from: low, medium, and high and they have dual-directional on/off swivel. They can light up gardens, picnic areas, and other outdoor settings. You can also use it indoors if you want by putting a glass or transparent cup to diffuse it. Each set comes with 6 hangable and weatherproof lights, 6 ABS stakes with notch, and a rechargeable 2,600 mAh battery with recharge case that has a built-in solar panel but can also be charged through USB-C charging.

These lights are portable enough that you can bring it whenever and wherever you want to have a party under the night sky. You can even put them on your pets or on yourself if you need to walk around with lights instead of carrying a flashlight. And since they are solar powered (but with the option to still charge if you didn’t get enough sunlight), you get to lessen your carbon footprint.

Solar power is something that is pretty important if we need to reduce our carbon footprint and our electricity consumption. But it’s still not something that’s easily accessible for everyone or something that’s portable and easy to use or access. A recent invention from Jackery, a portable power and green outdoor energy company, might be the thing we need to revolutionize how the ordinary consumer can access and use solar energy.

Designer: Jackery

The Solar Mars Bot was named one of the Best Inventions of 2023 by Time Magazine, specifically in the Green Energy category. It is a robot type machine that is a photovoltaic energy storage device equipped with various sensors to enable it to gather as much solar power as it can store. It has laser radar and camera modules to help it get around. It’s smart enough to roll around and find spots where it can align its panels with sunlight and even avoid obstacles.

The energy that it is able to gather is stored in a lithium iron phosphate battery and then you will be able to power your devices through any of its connectors including ordinary earthed sockets, USB-C and USB-A ports. You can take this solar robot with you when camping or on any outdoor activity or when you’re just lounging in your backyard or swimming pool and you need to charge your devices.

For now it seems to still be in the conceptual stage and Jackery may be creating a prototype for testing. But if ever it reaches the consumer market it will make solar energy common for those who are conscious about their electricity consumption. Hopefully we see some progress with this “best invention” soon as we all want to be able to regulate our carbon consumption over the next few years.

Solar power is something that is pretty important if we need to reduce our carbon footprint and our electricity consumption. But it’s still not something that’s easily accessible for everyone or something that’s portable and easy to use or access. A recent invention from Jackery, a portable power and green outdoor energy company, might be the thing we need to revolutionize how the ordinary consumer can access and use solar energy.

Designer: Jackery

The Solar Mars Bot was named one of the Best Inventions of 2023 by Time Magazine, specifically in the Green Energy category. It is a robot type machine that is a photovoltaic energy storage device equipped with various sensors to enable it to gather as much solar power as it can store. It has laser radar and camera modules to help it get around. It’s smart enough to roll around and find spots where it can align its panels with sunlight and even avoid obstacles.

The energy that it is able to gather is stored in a lithium iron phosphate battery and then you will be able to power your devices through any of its connectors including ordinary earthed sockets, USB-C and USB-A ports. You can take this solar robot with you when camping or on any outdoor activity or when you’re just lounging in your backyard or swimming pool and you need to charge your devices.

For now it seems to still be in the conceptual stage and Jackery may be creating a prototype for testing. But if ever it reaches the consumer market it will make solar energy common for those who are conscious about their electricity consumption. Hopefully we see some progress with this “best invention” soon as we all want to be able to regulate our carbon consumption over the next few years.

In the old days, the only function of vehicles was to transport people and goods to their desired location. But as technology evolves, we expect a lot more from them other than just a way to get from point A to point B. We also expect newer cars to be much more eco-friendly, hence the emergence of electric vehicles. Now, we’re seeing vehicles that are able to “contribute to society” in their own way by adding various functionalities aside from just moving.

Designer: HW Electro

Puzzle is a small commercial electric vehicle from HW Electro that may be the size of a light car or van but also has a lot of other functionalities built into it. It can become a mobile power source during emergencies with its AC power supply function and can also become a WiFi hotspot that anyone can connect to. It also has an emergency kit that can be used during emergency situations. The van also has solar panels on top to add to the power source. They plan to add even more functions eventually as the vehicle evolves.

The exterior of the vehicle has been streamlined so it’s easy to remove or add other components since they’re using the same panels. This way they are able to eliminate waste during production since things like the panel under the front light, the front edge of the roof, the left front door, and the right rear door are made from the same exterior panel. The interior has an almost cubic cargo space so you can use the full size of the van. There are also interior panels made into pinboards so you can turn the inside into more of a modular space which you can arrange according to your needs and preferences.

HW Electro released a dedicated app so you can connect electric vehicles like the Puzzle to users’ smartphones to keep track of various information like battery level, charging status, location, etc. If you plan to travel long distances and use your vehicle as your shelter and power source, this is a good eco-friendly and multi-function option for you.

In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, New World Wind has unveiled its revolutionary Aeroleaf Hybrid technology—a micro-wind turbine shaped like a tree, combining the forces of wind and solar energy to provide a clean and unlimited power source. This innovative approach not only meets the growing demand for electricity but also addresses environmental concerns associated with traditional energy production methods.

Designer: New World Wind

The conventional methods of electricity production, often reliant on burning fossil fuels, contribute to environmental degradation and climate change. New World Wind’s Aeroleaf Hybrid offers a compelling alternative by seamlessly integrating wind and solar power. The tree-shaped turbines are equipped with rotating leaves that capture wind energy, complemented by solar panels at the base, ensuring a continuous and efficient energy production process.

New World Wind draws inspiration from the beauty of nature, ensuring that the Aeroleaf Hybrid blends harmoniously with both urban and green landscapes. Unlike conventional wind turbines and solar panels, these tree-shaped energy generators appear as if they naturally grew in their surroundings. This unique design feature allows for a more aesthetically pleasing integration into various environments.

New World Wind’s commitment to green energy is evident in its global installations. The first Aeroleaf Hybrid, welcomed in Birmingham, UK, stands tall on a hill, showcasing its ability to harness wind and solar power in unison. The collaboration with Tom Tits Experiment, a science museum in Sweden, further emphasizes the technology’s versatility and its potential to power significant institutions with clean electricity.

A variant of the Aeroleaf Hybrid without Solar Panels

Recognizing the diverse energy needs of consumers, New World Wind offers three variations of the Aeroleaf Hybrid—Wind Tree, Wind Palm, and Wind Bush. The Wind Tree, with its numerous rotating leaves, is suitable for larger spaces and can even serve as a multifunctional lamp post or charging station for electric vehicles. The Wind Palm and Wind Bush cater to different scales, providing flexibility for installation in various settings, from public gardens to smaller neighborhoods.

New World Wind’s Aeroleaf (Hybrid) technology is based on a patented micro-wind turbine with a leaf-shaped double blade and a vertical axis. This synchronous micro-generator with permanent magnets allows for installation in diverse locations, including rooftops, terraces, pylons, and low-wind areas. The technology, with a single Aeroleaf generating a minimum of 300 watts, has already been deployed in 130 locations worldwide, spanning countries like Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Portugal, Nigeria, France, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Apart from its functional benefits, the Aeroleaf Hybrid also offers a customizable experience. Consumers can choose from various color options, allowing the turbines to seamlessly integrate with their surroundings. This level of personalization enhances the technology’s appeal and further encourages the adoption of green energy solutions.

By mimicking the elegance of nature, this technology not only provides a sustainable energy source but also exemplifies the potential for beauty and functionality to coexist in our pursuit of a greener tomorrow.

Vollebak is back, yet again, with a new piece of solar-charged apparel. Its new Solar Charged Hat looks exactly as comfortable as it is sustainably-designed, being that it’s made up of three layers of material insulating the head of whoever wears it. Plus, it’s covered in “membranes” that absorb light (like plants!) to power its biggest feature: it glows brightly in the dark wherever you “draw” light, meaning you can use it as an artist’s easel with a flashlight. But more importantly, you can store and communicate brightly-lit messages on the hat’s fabric.

Even without that, it’s a very nice glow-in-the-dark winter hat meant to pair with Vollebak’s other solar-powered apparel, like the Solar Charged Puffer. The expensive and intricate photovoltaic outer layer is cool-looking, and probably quite useful if you need all the light you can get, but it does come with a $395 price tag. According to Vollebak, it’s made for “the coldest, darkest places on Earth,” and if you’re going to those places anyway, you probably won’t mind spending on potentially life-saving functionality and maybe a little extra peace of mind.

Designer: Vollebak

It’s built for durability, using a wind and water-resistant three-layered material made of a Nylon mesh, ripstop, and the photovoltaic membrane that makes it solar-powered. The sides of the cap contain ultra-soft fleece lining and insulation. What stands out here is the Nylon used in the cap: Cordura, a reinforced material generally used in military-grade gear. Apparently, the ripstop layer is made of the same materials “found in parachutes”. And from that single revelation alone, if anything is certain, this is the hat you’d probably want on an expedition to Antarctica.

The kryptonite green color may be a bit too bright for high fashion; this Solar Charged Hat is definitely a piece of adventuring garb through and through, and — again if you’re in the freezing cold — it even comfortably fastens with a three-tightness chin fastener, giving you additional  warmth from the cold when needed. Of course, it doesn’t glow green all the time. When you go somewhere with a lot of natural light, as Vollebak puts it, “it’s a normal green during the day”.

It’s not just sustainable in the sense of storing energy from light. It’s also solved one of the biggest problems in sourcing insulation components: avoiding animal cruelty.

“Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles the engineered microfibres are so light and puffy that they trap enough heat next round your head to recreate the warmth of real down, without needing to pull feathers out of ducks or geese. And while down will clump and stop insulating if it gets wet, the synthetic fibres will continue keeping you warm even in damp conditions.”

The global climate crisis is an ongoing, and worsening, part of everyday life. As a global phenomenon, it is now undeniably pushing the needle on everything from agricultural collapse to global civil unrest, due largely to society’s dependence on CO2-emitting fossil fuels for transportation, heating, and electricity. But there’s always hope. Sustainable design is growing more and more prevalent in efforts to combat global climate change and lessen the resulting destruction of our one and only livable planet. Take this solar-powered aircraft or this sustainable coffee cup-turned-planter as recent examples of sustainable design pervading product design on a macro and micro level.

Green energy is a huge (and rapidly growing) part of sustainable design, but one of the key issues with large-scale green energy production – drawing mostly or entirely from natural energy sources like solar and wind, which produce zero carbon emissions, therefore slowing the roll of climate change – is solar panels and wind turbines provide far less energy than coal or oil power plants for the amount of land they take up. Many countries’ power grids are still mostly dependent on fossil fuel sources as a result, and since climate change ripples across the entire globe, the complex process of reaching a single unified solution is inevitably going to require the collaboration of the entire global workforce.

Soleolico is doing its part by putting several green energy sources together in the same space with its newly revealed photovoltaic “sails”, which are basically vertical-axis wind turbines (they have tall blades facing forward attached to a hub that’s facing upward, allowing the turbine to spin in a horizontal circumference) with solar panels mounted on the front part of the blades. As of October 9, one fully operational Soleolico unit is placed outside of the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander, Spain, with hopefully many more installations to come.

Designer: Soleolico

Soleolico’s core idea is providing a 24/7 green energy source. Its individual blades are designed to automatically orient to the direction and strength of wind through the company’s “patented magnetic system”. Moreover, if either wind or solar become unavailable, the same system can lean on whichever resource is available, even storing excess power in built-in energy storage systems.

Generating green energy isn’t Soleolico’s only function. It also scrubs CO2 out of the air via a 3D-printable coating made of “natural agents” that make it similar to a tree. The company even goes as far as calling it the world’s “First Technological Tree”, given its ability to integrate naturally into forests and other important and complex ecosystems while providing a higher energy production capacity than traditional wind turbines.

The aforementioned 3D-printable coating, currently produced at the LaMáquina manufacturing center in Barcelona, Spain, uses Pure.Tech organic 3D-printing technology. According to Aldo Sollazzo, the Director of Pure.Tech, “the installation of 1,000 units of Soleolico absorbs the same amount of CO2 as 287 trees in a year, according to our calculations, based on data from the European Environmental Agency and our certified laboratories”.

That’s not all. Soleolico’s “sails” design can also display advertisements and branding imagery, making them function as self-sustaining electric billboards. It’s unclear how quickly it (and other technology like it) will catch on en masse, but the fact that such an invention exists and can be produced quickly thanks to new advancements in 3D-printing tech is ultimately hopeful.