Top 20 Solar Powered Devices

Mar 24th, 2008 by Deek Allen

Solar energy is energy obtained directly from the Sun. This energy drives the climate and weather and supports virtually all life on Earth. Since the Romans first used daylight features at the top of the Partheon in Rome the era of solar powered constructions and devices began.

Let’s have a short look at some most valuable.

Solar panel is a device for collecting and converting solar energy into electricity or heat. It is the basic means for the devices below. Solar panels were already used by our ancestors. Sometimes solar panels are used with a special mirror that concentrates light onto a tube of oil, oil begins boiling water and the steam turns a turbine for getting energy.
Hybrid solar lighting systems collect sunlight using special mirrors so that the collected light could be transmitted into a building interior to provide it with lighting. Some houses already use this principle.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are constructed using thermal mass materials that store solar energy. These systems can support comfortable temperatures for a house. But, actually, the solar ventilation system, or a solar chimney, has been used since Roman times for heating and ventilation of the houses.
Sun bricks, which equipped with two amber LEDs, are self contained and, therefore, they can light up to eight hours. Sure, if you didn’t forget to place them in sunlight before.
Security cameras can transmit A/V when movement within approximately 26 feet is detected. The device is powered only with sunlight. Such cameras not only luxury but a good means for building safety.
The LightCap is a solar powered water bottle. It has a built-in LED light. Don’t forget to provide your cap with a portion of daylight and you’ll get a light for the whole night.
Lumiwall is made up in a form wall and contain thin-film transparent solar panels sandwiched between pieces of glass. These construction permits to accumulate sun energy during the day and enjoy you soft-glowing illumination at night. Now this means are widely used in houses.
Solar Panel Ventilator like Vent Fan for House, Home, Roof, Shed, and Boat can easily install on ceiling, wall, car, and house. Moreover, such ventilators have no operating cost. They are free and easy. So one can enjoy fresh air at home.
Solar air- and spacecrafts can stay aloft all day, powered only by sunlight. The aircrafts have backup battery system that can provide power for between two and five hours. Solar energy is often used to supply power for satellites and spacecraft by means of their inner solar panels.
Solar fountains. Solar garden accessories and fountains are made to decorate your houses that are able to work both day and night.
Solar mailboxes for houses. Usually made of tempered glass and solar panels, these devices can light your house number as well as getting your mail. These devices are definitely a must have.
Solar powered refrigerator. Once designed with NASA the device is used in many houses nowadays. It uses non-toxic, water based solution and have good freezing properties.
Power source cases and tables are designed for the ones to use laptops and electronics. And if you’re mad about picnics but still can’t do without mobile units these devices could be a good solution for you. And, yet having a good rest house in the mountains you’ll never guess what will be with electricity.
Solar powered digital blood pressure monitors invented recently and about to appear in spring 2009, can allow health practitioners and individuals to take blood pressure readings wherever sunlight is available. The monitors are charged by exposure to sunlight through the solar panel at the back of the product.
Wireless Internet access with 802.11a/b/g protocol is so popular that it’s quickly replacing wire technology in delivering broadband Internet service at your home. And the repeater used for such a connection is also powered by solar energy. And above all, it is able to store energy for functioning even at night.
Solar cars allow the driver to watch the gauges to spot possible problems. But there are cars without gauges and they feature wireless telemetry which to let the driver control car’s energy and the driver himself will need only driving.
Solar cookers. Almost all solar cookers use the idea of heating food by getting sunlight and sunheat. Though there are many types of solar cookers the working principles are the same: concentrating sunlight, converting light to heat and, at last, trapping heat.
Solar boats. The hybrid boats today use solar power to extend the range. Today you can get a voyage in a 100 percent solar powered boat in central London or even cross the Atlantic using such boats.
In Spain you can use solar powered emergency phones. They are placed mostly on the motorways. The phones serve the motorists who were unhappy to have an accident. They give a driver the possibility to inform about his broken down car.
And, surely, the thing you just cannot do without: the solar powered chargers for iPods and mobiles. Sometimes people are on their way home and don’t have a chance to recharge their little electronic friends in the bag. But the solar power has already solved this problem.