PORTABLE SOLAR POWER – ENERGY EVERYWHERE!

Portable Solar Power – Energy Everywhere!

 

The renewable energyindustry moves fast and it is well known that solar energy is one of the most trendynowadays. Probably we all know of a city, an organization or even a neighborthat is investing in this technology (to use it in a building, car or otherassets) not only because the renewable sources like the sun provide free energybut also because they are eco – friendly. I think it worth to mention that theinitial cost of implementation and other required systems might be quiteexpensive but at the end this alternative is very convenient because its regularusage has no cost.

Furthermore, thisindustry has been evolving at the same time that portable electronics. That iswhy we can find companies like Goal Zero that has a very interesting offer of productsthat by means of portable solar panels allows us to charge our devices whereverwe are. They have even developed chargeable backpacks, lanterns and “powercontainers” and they are prepared to connect to the devices by USB, DC, AC. Theprocess seems easy:

1.     Collect Power in a “power pack”: Depending on the devicethat you are looking to provide power to in the future it may take a while.Imagine that you can consider from an iPod, iPhone, tablet, laptop, TV to a 12Vrefrigerator!

2.     Store Power: Once the power pack is charged, you can takeit wherever you want and have it available for whenever you need it.

3.     Power your device: Use your power pack to power orrecharge your device.

Once again, the initialcost is not that cheap and the size of some products is not comfortable, but Iam sure that as much as we get used to this technology, it will keep improvingon the go faster and faster.

In general, this sustainable technology, trendy and available worldwide, is very recommendable foradventurers that like to camp or hike, travelers that stay long hours waitingin the airports or train stations, students that carry several electronicdevices at the same time, and for every eco – friendly user that wants to depending on electric power at home or office.

Very motivating to all of those who wants to be part of the "green revolution" that is coming... actually, that is already around us now.

Off grid lighting at Lake Victoria

Approximately 1.6 billion people till today have no regular access to electricity. For those people "off the grid" the alternative is using lamps that use fossil fuels, e.g. kerosine. This is not only environmentally hazardous but also economically costly. The astonishing number of 77 billion liters of kerosine is used for lighting purposes only, emitting 190 million tons of carbon dioxide. 

Lighting company OSRAM has initiated a project at Lake Victoria in Kenya and built a solar-powered energy station called O-hub which can be used by the villagers to recharge batteries, mobile phones and radios.

This is especially important for the fishermen as they used kerosine lamps for fishing at night. With the new battery powered lamps provided by Osram fishermen can decrease costs significantly and minimize pollution on Lake Victoria. 

Although this initiative was already started in 2010 I think it is still an ample example of how sustainable solutions can improve the well being of our society.

Check out the Osram homepage for more information.