Monday, August 18, 2008

Solar Products

Going solar is usually a great thing... Just look at our website! People come up with creative products that are also environmentally friendly. Sometimes these products are useful, and sometimes they're not.

Take these two products, for example. First up, we have a solar air conditioner.

For the most part, air conditioners use too much energy to be powered by solar panels; however, a company known as Greencore has found the perfect solution...
"The company's 10200 model uses a single 170-watt solar panel during the day and electricity from the power grid during the night to charge its batteries, leading to massive energy savings even if the solution isn't 100% solar." - Elaine Chow of Gizmoda via Treehugger
Sound awesome, right? It's very practical. We could definitely use something like this in my household. The second product, on the other hand, might not be as helpful. It's a solar neck tie.

Created by a group of geniuses at North Carolina State, the invention uses a great deal of complex technology:
"The designs use a process called digital textile printing to leverage the blocky solar panels into neck ties and jackets. In the case of the tie there's even a hidden pocket to hold your device as it charges. Convenient. A five-day test found the clothing posed no significant health risk..." - Jack Loftus of Gizmodo
As cool as it might be, I don't think I'd use a solar necktie to charge my gadgets. Hopefully they can use they're creative energy and smarts to come up with something a little more useful. Or maybe it will catch on... Who knows?


The bottom line is...

Keep the solar powered products coming.

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