As far as solar gadgets go, this is really cool. It’s a solar frisbee, and we don’t even sell it (yet!). We’re trying to source these, as it looks like they’re just available in the states at the moment. Ok, so we’re solar geeks, but we make no apologies. We just love what solar technology can do now, and there’s no harm in having some fun with it. It’s a great way for children to learn about renewable energy too.
We promote a solar panel charger as the ideal renewable energy source, but how does a solar charger actually work? We just assume that sun shines ones them, and then magically electricity comes out the other end! It’s actually a fairly simple process and the technology to produce them is becoming more efficient and less expensive
To get a better idea of how a solar panel charger produces electricity, take a look at this short video, which shows one in action. Obviously the same principles apply to all solar chargers:
www.SentientSolar.co.uk has recently been delighted to supply a registered charity with solar panel chargers. Engineers Without Borders teaches children in the Bristol area about sustainable energy through unique methods, and recently ordered several solar chargers to this end.
The solar powered panels will be used in a workshop in local schools, where a presentation is given about solar energy, and then the pupils are given the task of building a model solar car. They are given a list of components (such as CDs or milk tops for wheels) which all have a ’price’ and they are allowed to spend up to ’£100’ on components. Each group of 4/5 has an engineering undergraduate to help if necessary, but the emphasis is very much on the group, whose ages range from 12-18.
We are fascinated by the usage here of the solar powered chargers, as we don’t believe any of our solar chargers have been used in this way before. It’s an excellent way for the younger generation that we don’t have to be reliant on the power that comes out of our sockets, and there are natural resources that will do exactly what we need them to do if we harness them correctly.
Engineers Without Borders is a student led charity that utilises the engineering skills of it’s members to break down barriers and has made improvements not just in the UK, but around the world.
We just hope that the solar powered chargers supplied by SentientSolar go some small way to assisting with this worthwile charity.