 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tokyo (AFP) March 16, 2010 Japanese electronics giant Sanyo said Tuesday it had opened two "solar parking lots" in Tokyo where 100 electric hybrid bicycles can be recharged from sunlight-powered panels. The system uses lithium-ion batteries to charge 100 of Sanyo's "eneloop" bikes, with enough power left over to also illuminate the parking lot with LED lights at night. The concept is a "completely independent and clean system eliminating the use of fossil fuels", said Sanyo Electric Co, which has emerged as a leader in solar and other alternative energy technologies. The two lots, which also feature electric outlets to power external equipment in an emergency, were set up near commuter train lines in Tokyo's Setagaya ward, where the cycles will be parked for community use. The charging points rely on rooftop photovoltaic panels, and Sanyo said the system also works on rainy days. The eneloop "peddle-assist" bike features a "dynamotor" built into the hub of the front wheel, which charges a battery when the bicycle is cruising downhill or a rider is braking. The bicycle's electric motor kicks in when a rider peddles, providing a virtual wind at one's back and making inclines feel more like flat terrain. There is a power boost mode for particularly steep climbs.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com
Taiwan's Delta group plans solar cell plantTaipei (AFP) March 9, 2010 Taiwan's Delta Electronics is to spend 290 million US dollars on a new solar cell plant as the island moves to increase its use of renewable energy, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday. Delta Electronics' investment, via its subsidiary DelSolar Co, will make it one of the main players in the island's rapidly evolving solar energy sector, said Austin Chiu of DelSolar. "After the project is ... read more |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook