Solar Powered Indoors

Why don't we have solar powered lamps that simply sit by our windows during the day? That way when we draw the shades at night, they turn on and use the energy that was generated by the solar panel. The price of solar power has been going down as it becomes produced on a mass scale, but it still seems like products like this just don't exist. It would be great this type of merchandise was readily available at a Wal-mart or Home Depot. Hey, how about fans in the summer, and solar heaters in the winter? It could even be as simple as powering a clock. I say if plants can do it why cann't we? What do you think of this idea?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the idea about solar powered heaters

1Green Thumb said...

I agree I mean think of your heating bills the last couple years. If you have a few solar heaters around you could greatly reduce your heating costs.

livingjetlag said...

Solar technology is doing well, but the size of a solar panel needed to power a single lamp, even using those cool new LED bulbs that can run on AAA batteries, to match the output of a modest 100W, would basically obliterate your window all day. Think about the little lights that people put out on their walks and driveways - they are great, but you wouldn't want to read by them. Also, you would only have good lamps on the South side of your home, and the exposure time inside blah blah blah. Your best bet is still (and will likely always be, no matter how the technology changes) to put panels up on the roof, for maximum exposure, and to have them do the most efficient work possible - charging some kind of battery in the basement, or helping out the hot water heater. You then have the ability to send the power to ceiling fixtures, or anything else that doesn't catch much sun. I agree that being able to replace one lamp or whatever at a time would be simpler by far, but in the end, it comes down to the problem that solar power's greatness comes from being clean and easily acquired, not from it's ability to generate a lot of power. On a per square foot and per hour basis, it's pretty weak, and will likely always be a supplement to other sources of energy. Only huge mirror-banks in the desert do anything really impressive. Still, every little bit counts.

tortang basura said...

i have recently watched a japanese technology show (pardon that i cannot remember) and they are researching everything about solar power. i can't remember the details..
the idea is that there are nations concern about the earth.
apathy: out!

Anonymous said...

Just browsing by. I completely agree. However, my husband and I were researching house to get solar panels in our own home. They cost a lot of money. We couldn't afford it. I think they should find ways to mass produce it without so much cost and have them sold and installed as simple as you would your cable tv. I agree with you.

Isa said...

Hey! such a surprise u have new look!, great really great :) thanks for visiting to me, and i will upload a video i made long time ago but it is in spanish so...:S it'll be pretty difficult to understand. Anyways, i'm glad to see ur site and about ur post, yes we should do something with solar energy; it's good to know that somebody in the world cares about it.

Besos para ti!

1Green Thumb said...

Thanks everyone for all the comments! The more we get the word out the better. For any of you looking for a little more info on Solar power you can check out solarbuzz.com it is a great site with a lot of useful info on how solar power works. If you are looking for a manufacturer you can check out evergreen solar, suntech or sunpower. They are all great companies that produce solar panels. I think with countries like Germany and Japan leading the way and even California stepping up to the plate we can make solar power a much more affordable and accessable energy for our children and all future generations.

Lana said...

Thank you for renting to me.

pavenecia said...

gracias. si no te molesta tome unas imagenes de tus blogs...

puedes coger las fotos que quieras de mi blog, son todas tuyas.

Anonymous said...

Hey I'm studying this topic right now ;-)

I suggest reading this layman's book, "Practical Photovoltaics, Electricity from Solar Cells" by Richard J. Komp, Ph.D. It's a little old, but there's a great historical review of the technology from the beginning of the science up to 1995 and a little more in-depth stuff for technical buffs. (No worries, no math).

One might then understand the limitations that solar cells will likely face in the near future if another 'major' manufacturing breakthrough is not obtained.

Jose said...

I agree with you, but still wonder who will take charge and implement these energy saving ideas. The politics of money for gas and electricity, hope something is done before it's too late for our children.

Anonymous said...

It would be great to have solar powered appliances that are affordable and made in America.

Anonymous said...

I think that this is a good start for the idea of a technology that can be improved with an excellent promising future. Because if we can use the sun as a source of energy for a cleaner and healthier invironment why not use it. and by the way the entire earth will thank to those innovative people.

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