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THURSDAY 20 JUNE, 2013 |

Street Charge - Free Mobile Phone Solar Charging

Australian telcos take note - AT&T's Street Charge is providing free solar mobile charging stations in locations throughout New York City.

Inspired by the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy when New Yorkers without power flocked to solar powered charging stations, AT&T will deploy approximately 25 Street Charge solar mobile charging units across the five boroughs of the city. Two units are already operational at Fort Greene Park, four more will be in place by the end of this week and the remainder will be rolled out over the next couple of months.

The units are powered by three 15 watt monocrystaline solar panels and energy is stored in 16 amp-hour internal lithium batteries, so handheld device users can get a recharge fix at any time of the day.

Built in cords accommodate up to six devices at a time and include dedicated ports for iPhones, Androids, Blackberries and standard USB charging cables. Costing approximately USD $8,000 each and weighing around 90 kilograms, the Street Charge unit is tamperproof and weather proof.

AT&T teamed up with solar company Goal Zero and Brooklyn-based design firm Pensa to develop the initiative. Goal Zero, which provides the units, says Street Charge has the potential for lighting, Wi-Fi, signage for ads, and way finding.

Street Charge complements Wi-Fi in the Parks, an ongoing joint initiative between AT&T, the City of New York and the New York Parks Department offering free Wi-Fi access to New Yorkers.

The City of New York has taken a special interest in renewables since Sandy, when solar power proved invaluable in helping to restore communications.

"After Hurricane Sandy, I asked our private sector partners to step up and help improve the resiliency of New York City. AT&T is doing just that, and we're grateful for their efforts," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Walgreens To Add 200+ Solar Power Systems

Walgreens, the USA's largest chemist store chain, says it will expand rooftop solar installations on its stores from 150 to more than 350.

With over 8,000 stores nationally plus distribution centers, Walgreens has substantial rooftop real estate; some of which it is putting to good use in harvesting power from the sun. The company started taking on solar panel projects in 2007.

According to the company, the addition of the 200-plus rooftop solar power systems will generate an estimated 13.5 million kilowatt hours annually, enough to meet the energy needs of around 1,400 households.

Part of the rollout will include 850 solar panels installed on the Walgreens net-zero energy, LEED Platinum store in Evanston, Illinois.

Walgreens will host the solar panel arrays and SoCore Energy will own, operate, and maintain the systems.

Among Walgreens' other renewables efforts is a store in Oak Park, Illinois that uses geothermal energy and a distribution center in Waxahachie, Texas, that generates wind power.

Walgreens has committed to a 20 percent energy reduction across its chain of stores by 2020.

"Taking care of our environment is another way Walgreens can help people get, stay and live well in the communities we serve," said Walgreens' Menno Enters. "Walgreens will continue to strive for leadership in sustainability to create a happier, healthier environment for our customers and the communities we serve."

While there's certainly a warm and fuzzy motivator element for businesses to go solar and it can impact positively on customers, solar can also make very good business sense in terms of operational costs.

According to Australian solar provider Energy Matters, if a business is paying more than 20 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity; a commercial solar power system sized to daytime consumption can pay for itself in just a few years - after which, the electricity is essentially free.

News for Wednesday 19 June, 2013

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View all news for Wednesday 19 June, 2013 on one page