Interesting Ways the World is Using Solar Amid COVID-19 Crisis – Solar Powered Hand Wash Basin

Nikhil Gupta | 15th May 2020

Solar Powered Hand Wash Basin


While the world battles unprecedented circumstances, two Ghanaians have come up with a wonderful innovation that has solar power at the heart of it. This innovation makes it to our list of ‘Interesting Ways the World is Using Solar’ this week.

In this blog series, we talk about the interesting ways the world is using solar. We have covered innovations like solar-powered boats, cars, space stations and even airships in the past. Let’s dive in and read more about this interesting wash-basin.

The Innovation and the Innovator of Solar Powered Hand Wash Basins

Richard Kwarteng Aning, a 32-year-old leather shoemaker in Kumasi city of Ghana, has developed a solar-powered hand wash basin along with his brother Jude Osei. The brothers have developed the hand wash basin to promote the 20-second hand wash hygiene; the best-known practice to fight coronavirus until a vaccine is developed, as issued by the health and disease control department of governments and organizations all around the world.

How does this Hand Wash Basin Work and How was it Built?

The Solar Powered Hand Washbasin, is timed with a sensor. As soon as someone places their hands under the tap of the basin, the connected sensors send a signal to ooze the liquid soap out from the tap. Post that a timed alarm goes on for 25 seconds signalling the user to lather their hands for the set time period. After this, the water flows from the tap to rinse the soaped hands and the alarm goes off, indicating that the hand wash is complete.

As per media reports the idea to build the hand wash basin was conceived by Richard Kwarteng Aning when the government of Ghana announced a two-week lockdown on March 30, 2020. With just 48 hours in hand before the lockdown would begin, Richard immediately acted on the idea, procured the materials and developed it by using some of the most common components available easily in the local market of any city i.e. a sink, a tap, a motherboard, a solar panel, an alarm and a recycled barrel. He then installed the basin with the help of an electrician friend and programmed it with his brother to run when hands or any other item came in contact with its sensors.

MYSUN’s Take on this Innovation

At MYSUN, we really applaud the efforts of building the product. As we pass through these extraordinary times, we will need innovations which are not just out of the box but also use our resources optimally. The wash-basin is an example of the inspiration that human effort is capable of fostering if directed in the right direction. We are sure as time passes by, the model will be refined, and who is to say, this will not become the new norm!

Interesting Ways the World is using Solar – Solar Roofed Bike Lane

Nikhil Gupta | 14th April 2020

Solar-Roofed-Bike-Lane-new

Source - http://grinity.in/

Through our series of Interesting Ways the World is using Solar, we bring you the most cutting edge application of solar in modern times. We have previously written about how technological advancements have been made in the form of solar cars, solar-powered roads, solar space-stations and even solar-powered clothes.

Which brings us to another interesting use of solar, and this week we are going to introduce you to - Solar Panel Roofed Bike Lanes.

32 km Bike Lane Shaded with Solar Panels in South Korea

There is a solar bike lane which runs 20 miles, approximately 32 kilometres, from the city of Daejeon to the city of Sejong. Running right through a regular highway between the cities, the bike lane, which is also accompanied with three lanes of traffic on either side, has been roofed with solar panels throughout the highway.

What makes the installation of these solar panels on the bike lane truly remarkable is the multifaceted benefits that it provides to the drivers on the highway. While the panels provide shade from the sun and protection from the rain to the cyclists on their 20 miles long two-way ride, the panels also generate enough electricity needed to power the lights along the highway and charging stations for electric vehicles moving on the road.

Here’s a glimpse of the bike lane and its long stretch

This bike lane in South Korea is not a singular example showcasing the innovative use of solar technology on roads. Solar roads in China and solar bike paths in the Netherlands are few other examples that have portrayed similar successful applications of solar on roadways; the energy from which is already being used to power billboards, surveillance cameras, tolls, street lights, local households and etc along the road.

MYSUN’s take

The solar panel covered bike lane is a truly wonderful use of solar technology which is a great example of the importance of a sustainable, comfortable and healthy living. It reinstates not only the need but also the auxiliary benefits that solar energy can provide to the entire human civilization which traditional energy sources cannot, i.e. monetary benefits along with ecological stability. Not to forget that the application of solar using superstructures, like in this case, ensures that the area below the structure can continue to be used. We encourage all our readers to make solar a part of their daily life and enjoy its various benefits.

Interesting Ways the World is Using Solar – Solar Panels That Generate Electricity at Night

Nikhil Gupta | 11th March 2020

Solar panels that generate electricity at night


MYSUN’s blog series on the Interesting ways the world is using Solar Energy has in the past explored the various innovations in solar technology, such as solar boats, cars, robots, paint, and even airships. Although all these innovations are great and have pushed the envelope of global solar technology, there has always been one caveat when it comes to solar – how do you generate solar energy at night?

There may finally be an answer:

Solar Panels That Work at Night

Jeremy Munday, a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department of the University of California, Davis, recently appeared in the news for discovering a way to generate electricity from solar panels even after the sun has set. The professor and researcher have been working on a solar panel prototype which in its current phase of R&D can produce 50 watts of electricity per square meter, which is about a quarter of what traditional solar panels can generate during a bright sunny day.

How Does This Technology Work?

As per Professor Jeremy Munday, "A regular solar cell generates power by absorbing sunlight, which causes a voltage to appear across the device and for the current to flow. In these new devices, light is instead emitted and the current and voltage move in the opposite direction, but you still generate power. You have to use different materials, but the physics is the same."

These solar panels are made of thermo-radiative cells to facilitate the process, as the heat required to run the process can be gathered from the leftover heat of industrial processes, as per Professor Munday.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Solar Energy?

If successful on a commercial scale, this newly discovered technology will mean that solar panels will become functional 24x7, which will enhance the benefits of solar. As of today, a consumer saves up to 80% on electricity bills by generating power during the day, and transmitting surplus energy generated back to the grid through net-metering and then drawing this energy back during the night.

With this new technology, there is a likely possibility that solar energy will become the primary source of energy, and may help consumers save close to 100% on electricity bills.

MYSUN’s Take:

While the development of these night sky solar panels is still at a very nascent stage, the fact that the prototype developed so far is already capable of generating 50 watts of electricity per square meter is very interesting. The potential of solar energy as a primary source of power for the world was never in question at all. But, something like this could potentially improve the interest manifold. This innovation seeks to break the limitation and is on its way towards unleashing the potential of solar even further. We can’t wait to see how the development proceeds further.

Interesting Ways the World is Using Solar: Tricycles to Navigate the Traffic

Nikhil Gupta | 9th January 2020

Tricycles that run on Solar Energy

The Consumer Electronics Show or CES is an annual event held in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States where the future of personal technology and automobile is on show. While the show in the recent few years has lost some of the novelty it carried, it is still a place to discover a couple of cool prototypes. One interesting tricycle we found out about makes to the list of our Interesting applications of Solar that we frequently feature on the MYSUN blog.

3D Image of a Solar Tricycle

The tricycle manufactured by Wello is a cross between a bike and a car. The hybrid vehicle has an optional battery and solar panels on the rooftop. This way, not only can you pedal your way to your destination but you can use the power of the sun to take some load away and use the electric power of the vehicle. The solar-powered tricycle is aimed to navigate the streets of urban areas through the traffic and aims to encourage people to abandon cars. There is a nifty application that connects via Bluetooth and gives live updates. The tricycle is developed in Réunion Island and can go as much as 25 to 40 km per hour.

Solar Tricycle running on a road

The vehicle brings the benefits of a car in the profile of a slightly bigger bike. It has space for one passenger in front and two children or another adult at the back. A lightweight solution, the Wello tricycle is a good solution for those who are looking to cover short distances in the day. Wello says that the tricycle has zero carbon dioxide emission making it a good addition to the road for daily short-distance commuters with consideration for the environment.

Solar tricycle in a parking lot

With 7.4 feet in length and 2.7 feet in width, the tricycle has enough room to carry small luggage and a hard outer shell to keep the riders safe. What’s most interesting is that the bike is already on pre-order for about 7,900 euros with solar panels.

Video credit: CNET

MYSUN’s Take: The Wello Tricycle no doubt is a useful little concept vehicle. However, at the price it is marked, it may be a hard sell even in Europe. Having said that, innovative solutions like these are what will push the industry forward and while the Wello may not become a household name, we hope more people will integrate solar energy as their energy source in automobiles and bring us a truly commercial solution.

Image credit: wello.io

Interesting Ways the World is Using Solar: Cars with Rooftop Solar Panels

Arpit | 11th December 2019

Interesting ways the world is using solar energy is a series we run on MYSUN, where we bring to our readers some of the most interesting use cases of solar energy. From boats to airplanes to robots, we have seen some very interesting applications of solar energy. However, one vertical that seems to be adapting clean electrical energy faster than most is the automobile sector. Taking the sector to a new height, Hyundai, the South Korean giants in the automobile space has announced a car with a solar system integrated rooftop.

Car which runs on solar power on a road

Image source: Techstartups

The New Sonata Solar Hybrid car launched in South Korea will be the first car to bring the first generation technology to the market. The car will feature a structure of silicon solar panels mounted on the rooftop which potentially could charge the battery of the car in the range of 30-60 per cent depending upon the weather conditions of the day. This is good news for those who leave their cars in the outdoors as about six hours of charging will give more than a thousand kilometres extra every year.

Hyundai is reportedly saying that the technology used in the New Sonata Solar Hybrid is the first generation technology and R&D is ongoing for two other types of rooftop systems namely: the second-generation semi-transparent solar roof system, and the third-generation solar-lid on the vehicle’s body. While the former will cater to cars with IC engines, the latter will be mounted on the sunroof of cars.

The solar system on these Hyundai cars will work similarly to how solar Hybrid Rooftop works, where you have a panel of solar cells that will convert light to electricity and a controller, which will convert this electricity to an appropriate usable voltage and store it in the battery of the car. Other than providing the additional kilometers, this kind of system will obviously prove to be a winner for the green tech and environment, saving a ton of CO2.

You will see the new Sonata with a Rooftop Solar Panel on roads in South Korea soon and eventually in North America. However, for European and Rest of the Asian market, it may be a while before we see this car on the road.

MYSUN’s Take: At MYSUN, we love everything solar and this is definitely a very practical and useful utilization of solar power. The real-life challenges, like the maintenance, efficiency, and durability, etc will only be answered when the vehicle becomes mainstream, but Hyundai may just have given the automobile industry a very interesting concept to work with. Who knows, we may at some stage of time, have a car that is purely powered by a solar panel. Intriguing indeed.

Interesting Ways The World is Using Solar: Solar-Powered Zeppelins

Varun Jha | 24th October 2019

Solar powered Zeppelins


In previous articles of this series, we have written about the unique and innovative ways the technology of solar energy has been used across the globe. We have written about how solar energy has been utilized to power boats, space stations, road-ways, and would you know it - even clothes and paint!

There are no limits when it comes to the power of the Sun (it is after all responsible for all life on this blue planet). It can be incredible just how solar energy can be employed in so many different ways to improve our present day-to-day lives, both in terms of productivity and eco-friendliness.

But, what about the future? How will solar play a role in shaping how the future will look like? Well here’s a glimpse into how solar energy could play a key role in bringing back something from our past and make it a big part of our future: Zeppelins.


What Are Zeppelins? A Brief History

Zeppelins are a type of airships, named after the person who pioneered them - Ferdinand Von Zeppelin. Initially, in the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Zeppelins were airships that used hydrogen gas as the main lifting component and were primarily used for commercial purposes such as air travel and transport. Zeppelins were also used extensively in the First World War to carry out aerial bombings.

The most famous and unfortunately in-famous example of the Zeppelin was the LZ 129 Hindenburg, part of the 1937 Hindenburg Disaster that resulted in the deaths of 36 people and eventually banning all use of hydrogen zeppelins and airships across the globe since then.


Zeppelins Today and the Potential of Solar Powered Zeppelins

Zeppelins have come a long way since the early 1900s, as their airship counterparts of today use helium gas (which is non-inflammable compared to hydrogen) and are significantly faster, lighter and fire-free. Today Zeppelins are more of a novelty, as they are rarely seen and used; particularly only seen as part of ad campaigns and sporting events.

However, things might change as Zeppelins could possibly return and be used more frequently in the near future.

As per a recent paper proposed by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg, Austria - Solar-powered Zeppelins could move cargo more efficiently, than traditional ocean-going firefighters, and also produce less pollution in the process. These solar-powered airships are not proposed to be used for passenger service but an environmentally friendly and efficient way to deliver goods around the globe. They would also operate autonomously without a crew.

Aside from this proposal, solar-powered zeppelins are already being put into practical purpose as aeronautical companies in the UK and China, have already been developing solar-powered airships for the purpose of cargo-air transport. In fact, China had already tested its largest Airship that was powered by solar energy, back in 2015 - The Yuanmeng.


MYSUN’s Take

We at MYSUN believe that solar energy, regardless of how it is used, is truly the future, and this is yet another example of how solar energy can play a fundamental role in shaping the future for the better, as solar-powered airship could revolutionise ocean-going and cargo transport and even possibly future air travel; proving a safer and more environmentally friendly form of air transport.

Interesting ways the World is using Solar – Space Solar Stations

Nikhil Gupta | 12th April 2019

Interesting ways the World is using Solar – Space Solar Stations

The Solar Energy space has been booming in the past few years with rapid growth and technological innovations. We have written in the past about some of these innovations such as solar paint and solar tiles, but would you believe that soon there will be Solar Power stations in Space? Yes, you read it right, China is planning to build and launch the world’s first space solar power station into Earth’s orbit.

In theory, China plans to launch satellites equipped with solar panels into space, in an orbital axis above the Earth. The satellites would then assemble in space to form a large-scale solar farm that will harness and relay electricity down to earth in the form of microwaves. These microwaves will then be received by large net-like receiving stations back on earth and will be distributed to an interconnecting electrical grid. The testing and development of the project are scheduled to take place at the Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Research Institute for Civil-Military Integration, in Chongqing's Bishan district.

SOLAR SPACE STATION AND ITS HISTORY

Although, China is the first to announce its plans to launch a Solar Powered Space Station, the concept in itself is hardly new, as the idea was brought to public attention by sci-fi author Isac Asimov in his short story ‘Reason’, published in the year 1941. The scientific potential of the concept was first acknowledged by American aerospace engineer Peter Glaser in 1968.

Apart from China, researchers at the California Institute of Technology, have been working towards developing their own technology to bring this concept to life. And although the idea of Solar Space Stations is not new, the financial and technical viability of it is only being recognized today.

SOLAR STATION POTENTIAL

In the near future, as the global population continues to grow, so will the energy demands. An estimated report by the UNO suggests that by 2050, the world’s population will stand at 9.6 billion. And as per experts, the predominant finite sources of energy will not only be insufficient in meeting energy demands but will lead to irreversible environmental deterioration.

Hence, new innovate ways of generating large quantities of clean energy is the need of the hour, and a solar farm orbiting in space might just be the solution we need.

Interesting Ways the World is Using Solar – Solar Paints

Nikhil Gupta | 17th September 2018

Interesting Ways the World is Using Solar – Solar Paints

If you have been following our blog, our Interesting ways the world is using solar is a series where we feature the most innovative solar applications. We have featured boats, robots, roads in the past and this time we are back with solar paints. Yes, you read that right. It is now possible that without even installing a solar panel that you can enjoy solar benefits. This magic is performed by solar paint.

What is Solar Paint? The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia, has developed a solar paint that can generate power for your house/office. As per the researchers of the institute, the solar paint will generate power from the radiation from the sun and water vapor present in the air. While this technology is, of course, nascent, it is great to see more avenues open for utilization of the abundant solar energy.

But, you must be wondering how solar paint works exactly? The compound of the solar paint carries a chemical compound called synthetic molybdenum-sulphide. When this compound meets titanium oxide, a commonly used material in wall paints, it transforms normal wall paint into sunlight-absorbing machinery which then acts as a semiconductor and splits the water molecules present in the air into Hydrogen and Oxygen. This hydrogen extracted from the air is then used as a fuel to generate power.

This Solar Paint Technology when available in the open market would create all new possibility of harnessing solar energy.  By just applying paint we will be able to turn any physical surface into an energy harvesting facility. This opens up a whole new avenue for solar applications such as Solar Paint for houses. Going ahead this may very well be applied to electric cars as well as a source of power for them.

However, a few questions about the feasibility of the solar paint remain unanswered. Like what will be the price of this paint. Response to rooftop solar installers has already been hesitant because of high prices. Now with reducing prices over a few years and innovative business models coming in, some traction in the market is finally building.

Apart from price, durability, energy generation capacity and its applicability on the rooftops and otherwise remain a curious concern and it will be interesting to find out how the paint adopts to them. Due to this, widespread adoption of Solar paint in India seems a possibility in the long run.

For now, all we can say is solar is rapidly revolutionizing the way we consume electricity and innovations like solar paints, solar clothes, solar bicycles, solar rooftop tiles, solar roadways, solar-powered boats and solar tuk-tuk are a peek into the future of energy consumption and a testimony of its positive adoption.

7 Things to Consider Before Going for a Solar Rooftop System for your Home

Arpit | 12th July 2018

Picture1

With the economics of going solar a lot more feasible and the advancement of technology, today the thought of independent power for your home is a very lucrative thought. At MYSUN we custom design rooftop solar solution for hundreds of houses across the country every day and we come across a new challenge every time. However, the biggest challenge is the feasibility check.

This feasibility check is usually financial as well as geographical. The financial feasibility check is easy. You run the MYSUN Solar Calculator and see if solar makes financial sense for you from a returns point of view. If you are looking to not invest the full amount at one go, you can also utilize the MYSUN Flexi-pay™ option using which you can break your payments in simple interest-free EMIs.

However, beyond financial feasibility, there are a lot of geo lead feasibility checks. These checks are listed below to help you make up your mind if you are considering installing a rooftop solar system.

Are there too many shadow casting objects near your roof?

The best way to check this is to walk up to your rooftop and see the shadows on it. If there are nearby objects such as trees, pillars, poles which cast a lot of shadows, then this is not a very good news. Shadow casting objects tend to reduce the solar output for your solar system. The above image is a 9.4kW Solar System at Nirvana Country Project, Sector 50, Gurgaon. As can be seen, there is no shadow casting object nearby. 

However, an accurate shadow analysis is only possible to post a Site Survey for solar and there is quite a possibility that even though there are shadow casting objects they may not come in the way of your solar system. Therefore, always call for an expert for site survey before you decide to invest in a solar system on your rooftop

Do you own the roof rights?

As the name suggests, Solar Rooftop System needs your rooftop to be installed. Therefore, unless you have the requisite rights of the rooftop, you will not be able to enjoy the benefits and savings of the rooftop solar system. For this, an independent house owner is an ideal rooftop solar customer.

However, if you stay in a society or an apartment, you should speak to your RWA or the builder to install rooftop solar on the building so that not just you but the entire building can enjoy the benefits of solar. Several societies in Mumbai have been able to bring down their electricity bills by installing a common solar rooftop system.

Condition of the Rooftop

While you may own rights to your rooftop, the conditioning of the rooftop is required to be at least moderate. Since solar panels are mounted on metallic structures, the rooftop should be able to bear the weight of the entire system. If you are already seeing cracks on your rooftop, you are better advised to repair the rooftop before going for a solar roof. 

However, the condition of your rooftop can be accessed very accurately when you opt for a site survey for your system by experts who can then make a better judgment whether the rooftop is conducive for installation or not.

Background of the Installer

While there are several thousand companies that install solar in India, your choice of the installer is going to be absolutely key. After all, a premium quality solar system can last you as far as 25 years. Therefore, the solar system you purchase is most likely to be a gift to your upcoming generations and we are sure, you would never cut corners for it.

When selecting an installer, insist on checking out their previous work, gauge their expertise on the subject and do a thorough background check. At MYSUN, in order to give you this peace of mind for 25 years, we offer MYSUN Assured™, which is an extended warranty and top of the line service package where not just today, we take care of your solar system for years to come maintaining the generation so that the benefits are maximized.

Quality of the Equipment

As aforementioned, premium solar systems last 25 years and therefore your benefits are maximized when you go for a high rated system that has been tested, certified and has a good reputation in the market. It is owing to this that at MYSUN we only use Tier 1 inverters and solar panels which are rated across the world and are of foreign make.

You should not compromise on the quality for saving a couple of thousand Rupees here and there because in the long run, a high-quality solar system will be worth its weight in gold. Ratings of most of the solar equipment are available online and always insist on checking the make before you commit to your solar system.

A big brand supplying equipment globally is more likely to honor the warranty and be quick to replace faulty components as compared to a brand where the production cycle in itself is slow. Avoid being penny wise and pound foolish and go in for the best quality you can find.

Financing Options

While the economics of going solar is far more favorable now than ever before thanks to the falling costs, going solar is still a one time expense. Therefore, you should explore solar financing options too in case you want to go solar and are unable to afford the system right away. At MYSUN, MYSUN Flexi-Pay and MYSUN Deferred Payment Agreement allows our customers to build their own payment plans.

With easy EMI based payback options these plans are extremely popular among our customers as it allows them flexibility without having to compromise on the benefits of going solar. With tie-ups with several financing institutes, MYSUN can also help you out with several external financing options so that you no longer have to wait for your solar system due to financial constraints.

Permissions, Timelines and Solar Policy

It is imperative that you go through the solar policy of your state so that you are well aware of all the rules and regulations when you  in your region. This would allow you to discuss realistic timelines with your installer and be able to gauge the scope of work especially in the last mile which more often than not is a cause of the delay. You can go through the solar policies of all the states in India on MYSUN here.

With the above seven points in mind, you will not just be best prepared when you go solar but will also be able to select the right solar partner. At MYSUN we take care of each of the above seven points for you in the most customized fashion. Right from a high-tech site survey to an engineering solution to installation to financing and then commissioning, it is only right to say that MYSUN is your perfect solar partner. So what are you waiting for? Let’s GoSolar. 

Interesting Ways the World is Utilizing Solar Energy: Solar Roadways in China

Arpit | 10th May 2018

This article is in continuation to our series with the aforementioned name where we bring to you a roundup on how the world is using the solar power in the most creative ways. Right from planes to boats to robots, solar has found application in a lot of consumer facing objects. But did you know that the road right outside your home or the National Highway could also be solarized? No right? That is precisely what China has been able to achieve on a 1 km long road that is built in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong province.

You might be wondering that how is it possible that the solar panel roads are able to take the immense weight of the incoming traffic and still remain serviceable. This is possible because the surface of the road is made out of transparent concrete which in theory can withstand at least 10 times more pressure than the usual regular concrete. Below this transparent layer of concrete, you have the usual solar panels which convert light into electricity. An insulating layer is present just below the panels to keep them from getting excessively hot or cold ensuring a steady generation during the hours when the sun shines.

The two lane road covers an area of about 5875 square meters and cost close to $458 per square meter to be built. That in comparison is about 90 times more expensive than the normal road. However, the solar powered roads are not like your usual roads and will help generate power of about 1 million kWh that will be used to run billboards, surveillance cameras, tolls, street lights etc. The excessive power will be fed back into the grids.

MYSUN's take on the solar roads: While the solar road in China sounds very impressive, this is not the only solar road that exists out there. The solar bike path in the Netherlands is quite famous too even though it has a different construction method as compared to the road in China. However, the question on the long term feasibility remains and can be answered only after a few years of these roads existing. How will the O&M work for the roads, how do you replace a faulty panel or for that matter what happens when the concrete starts getting scratched or the efficiency of the generation itself when the panels are virtually completely flat and at no angle. However, this is an interesting application of solar energy and if a couple of these pilot programs such as a solar highway or a solar pavement can prove to be successful, solar on roads can definitely become a more widespread application of solar.