GadgetReview

Remember Solar Roadways?  They’ve finally completed their first USDOT prototype.  In addition to providing carbon free energy (aside from the manufacturing process), the Solar Roadway can display traffic info using the built-in LEDs and perhaps even melt snow and ice from its surface.

For now we’ll have to settle with some pics, but they say they’ll have video up sometime later this month.

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I think it’s more than fair to say that most solar devices on the market today are “woefully inadequate”.  At least that’s the opinion of Solar Components, who is ready to crush the competition this June by launching the Joos Orange, a personal solar device that can produce up to 20 times the energy of any personal solar product.

So what does that mean in terms of gadget charging?  One hour of direct sunlight can capture enough power to deliver more than 2.5 hours of talk time to a cell phone.  Most solar devices produce 5-10 minutes, tops, after 1 hour of solar exposure. If need be, it can also be charged via USB and has a set of LED status lights to indicate dead battery and power production.

Even better the Joos Orange is waterproof, rugged thanks to its polycarbonate build, and has a replaceable 5400 mAh lithium-ion battery.  It measure 5.8 x 8.6 x 0.8-inch and weighs 24oz, so it’s not out of the question if you want to toss it in a bag with your laptop.

So how much you ask?  They’re aiming for a retail cost of $100.  Not bad in the grand scheme, not bad at all.

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Antro’s solar vehicle is far more than meets the eye.  Sure it can drive up to 20km per day on solar power alone, but what you can’t see is that the car is modular and according to renders and specs – no actual image were shown – it can be split into two separate smaller vehicles, or conversely combined with another for a six passenger auto. …Continue reading: Antro Solar Vehicle Runs On The Sun’s Rays And Can Be Split In Half

The jury is still out on the whole solar bag thing.  Generally speaking photovoltaic technology is still not advanced enough, or efficient, to produce any real usable power, unless of course you’re in a pinch and need some juice to make an emergency phone.

Pessimism aside, Neon Green’s Soular Power Packs are shaping up to be some nice looking kit.  As of now the deets are few and far between, but the Capsoul looks pretty badass.  Aside from the giant, removable solar panel it can be converted from a back pack to a shoulder bag or carrying case (whatever that means).

There’s no word on a release, but we’re hearing ’soon’.

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This nifty gadget design will keep all your organs in transplant as cold as they need to be as long as it’s charged.  The cooler uses wall and cigarette adapter charging in addition to solar charging to keep your beers or whatever else chilled and ready for refreshing consumption.  The solar charging blocks can be reversed and used as lights which is a great design concept. Designed by Ruben Iglesias, I hope this Eco-Cooler soon finds production.

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Lexon’s line of aesthetically pleasing bamboo and bio-plastic gadgets is easy on the environment and cool on the eyes.  These solar powered and renewable energy mini-appliances will look positively earth awesome in your place.  No word on pricing or availability.  The LED solar flashlight is pictured above. …Continue reading: Lexon Safe Bamboo And Bio-plastic Gear

It’s a luggage tag!  No, it’s a solar powered battery charger!

No…unbelievably enough, it’s BOTH.

It’s the Keystone Eco Tag, and it attaches to your attache–or any other piece of luggage–just like any other luggage tag.  It’s got a space for you to pencil in your name and address and such in case the bag gets lost.  But it also comes with a couple extra slots to plug in AAA batteries, or any device that has a USB connection.

Four hours of direct sunlight–or eight hours of indirect sunlight–will have those batteries charged in a thrice.

It’s not exactly the kind of thing you expect to see together–forget chocolate and peanut butter, this is chocolate and vodka.  But the combination is actually pretty palatable, and considering they want thirty five bucks a pop, the price isn’t terrible.  But if you’re interested, I’ve got a bit of bad news–these don’t ship until February.  I know, that’s only a couple weeks away, basically, but still.  It’s a bit of a wait.

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I’m all for going green, but at a cost of $700-$1200 no thank you.   QuickerTek’s Appe Juicz is a foldable solar mat that is available in a 27 and 55 watt output, and as you’ve probably determined respectively costs the aforementioned amounts.

Its operation is very straight forward: unfold it, lay it out in the sun, plug it into your Mac and within hours you’ll have a full loaded battery.  The 27 watts version can accomplish this feat in about 8 hour , while the 55 watt version can do it in about 5.  As you can see the solar mat is pretty large in size but when folded it should be as portable as a Macbook and a hell of a lot lighter.  This is the first solar option we’ve seen that can truly power a laptop in less than a days time, but at this cost you’re best off buying another laptop, or an external battery pack which costs far less, unless you’re located at the base of Mount Everest (see the video after the ‘leap’).

Cost gripes aside I do applaud QuickerTek.  It’s companies like this that will eventually drive the costs of solar panels down. …Continue reading: QuickerTek’s ‘Apple Juicz’ Solar Panel Is Portable But Expensive (video)

Even though winter isn’t generally known for sun, a beefy array of Christmas lights will always run up your electricity bill.  These solar powered lights might be a great alternative for those on a budget but not willing to cut out the holiday cheer.  However, the cost of this expensive item may really  outweigh the potential savings on your electric bill.  On sale now for $65 per 102 light strand. …Continue reading: Solar Powered Christmas Lights

The folks out at Dell have given us a pretty sweet gadget to check out.  Now, chances are, you’ve heard about a LOT of solar powered whatnot, especially right here.  And some of it is pretty strange.  Solar powered jackets, solar powered cars…well, now Dell’s going to bring you what may be the strangest solar powered device of all.

The solar powered parking lot.

I kid you not, ladies and gentlemen–Dell has put together a series of solar panel-laden paviliions in its parking lot designed to provide not only shade to the cars beneath in the hot sun, but also to take that sun and convert it into electrical energy by which employees can charge, at no cost to them, their plug-in hybrids and full-on electric vehicles.

The equivalent of free gas is a pretty nifty perk, and the crew out at Dell has to be feeling some love off of this one.

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