With the cost of power from solar energy, in several states, highly comparable to that produced by hydro/coal power plants, solar is seen not just an alternative, but a very viable solution for commercial, industrial as well as residential establishments. Advancing technology in solar has helped industries across India save as much as 80% on their monthly power expenses. To put this into context, if an industry is paying an electricity bill of INR 10L today, it is possible to bring that cost down to about INR 2~3L a month, depending upon the location, system size and feasibility of the project. The savings when amassed over 25 years, which is the typical life of a solar system, run into high crores, thereby directly impacting the profitability of the company.

However, due to the high magnitude of power requirements that businesses have, especially for large scale business, the decision to go solar can be an expensive undertaking. And, because most of the capital of the businesses are locked in ongoing operations, investing a big amount upfront becomes a hindrance, ultimately, delaying their decision to go solar. Addressing this need of the industrial sector, MYSUN has pioneered an inhouse financing product which would allow industries to enjoy the benefits of solar without having to shell out the complete cost upfront. Add to it, our strategic tie-ups with the leading banks and NBFCs, MYSUN is determined to remove any obstacle that proves to be a bottleneck in the solar journey of our customers.

Run the MYSUN Solar Calculator now to see how much your business can save with solar every year.

How MYSUN’s C&I Solar Financing Work?

The inhouse Solar Financing product designed by MYSUN financial experts caters specifically to the needs of our commercial and industrial consumers. It makes solar viable for hundreds of businesses across the country. MYSUN offers its customers the Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA). The DPA payment plan allows businesses to go solar in easy monthly instalments under the CAPEX model. But before we get into the details of the payment plan, let's first understand the two solar ownership models namely - CAPEX and OPEX models, and the financing challenges that businesses face related to these:

• CAPEX Model of Solar and its Financing Challenges

Under the CAPEX model, the solar system is owned and paid for by the business on whose rooftop the solar system is installed. The CAPEX proves to be cost-effective compared to OPEX. The LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity, which is cost/unit of electricity over 25 yr horizon) for solar under CAPEX is significantly lower than that under OPEX. Also, there is an added benefit of Accelerated Depreciation which comes with the ownership of the solar assets under CAPEX. The only challenge it presents - is the capital cost of going solar. MYSUN’s Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) helps businesses defer this challenge.

• OPEX Model of Solar and its Financing Challenges

Under the OPEX model, the solar system installed on the rooftop of a business enterprise is owned and managed by an investor or a third party. In this model, the business does not pay for the cost of the solar system, but instead for the per unit of power that will be consumed from the electricity generated by the solar system. For this, the Business Enterprise enters into a PPA (Power purchase agreement) with the investor/third-party, but a strong credit rating is mandatory for the business to be eligible.

The point to note here is that - the majority of businesses in India belong to the SME/ MSME segment. And, the majority of SMEs/ MSMEs have poor credit ratings, stretched balance sheets and overdrawn working capital limits. This makes adoption of solar under the Opex model difficult for the majority of businesses, leaving Capex as the optimal model.

Did you know these 6 Things that Every Industry Should Consider Before Going Solar?

Details of MYSUN C&I Solar Financing: The Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA)

Under MYSUN’s Deferred Payment Agreement a business can install and own a solar system from day one by paying just 20-25% of the total solar system cost, while the balance can be paid in subsequent months over a period of 3~5 years. Given that the solar veterans at MYSUN understand the significance of the allocated working capital for a business, the Deferred Payment Agreement is designed to keep the instalment amount no more than the monthly savings they will reap with solar. Therefore, businesses pay for solar through the savings they realize on their monthly electricity bills after going solar.

Post the completion of the Payment Tenure, businesses can use the Savings from Solar to enhance its profitability in the form of high EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) margins.

Thanks to Solar Financing from MYSUN, the commercial and industrial enterprises have no reason to withhold their decision to go solar. Therefore, if you are a business owner and are paying lakhs for power bills every month, choose to go solar today with MYSUN and begin availing the benefits of the MYSUN Deferred Payment Agreement.

You can call our Solar Advisors on +91 8448380218 or submit your details by clicking the “Schedule Your Site Survey” button below to start your solar journey today.

Do check out some of the Advantages of going solar with MYSUN - The Largest Online Rooftop Solar Platform in India.

Video of a 1.7 MW Rooftop Solar Plant in Rajasthan which is Saving our Client 190 Lakhs P.A

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.

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.

In a move that was feared and long seen coming, India has decided to levy a 25% safeguard duty on solar panels imported from China and Malaysia. The duty will be levied on all panels imported between 30th July 2018 to 29th July 2019. For further one year, the duty will be reduced to 20% and then 15% between six months intervals.

The import duty prima-face has been placed in order to encourage the local solar panel manufacturers in the country in a push to the Make in India effort. However, with the majority of top solar projects using these imported panels especially from China, this will at least in the short term create choppy waters. Add in the confusion surrounding GST, the solar industry has a fight on its hands.

The notification for the duty was released by the Ministry of Finance on July 30th, 2018 and it would be very interesting to see how will the industry react and whether the pricing will get even more volatile. The safeguard duty order is available both in English and Hindi and can be read in detail here.

Editor update: Aug 14: The duty has been deferred for now

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. 

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.

With falling solar power prices and increasing prices of electricity from the conventional sources of power, today, solar system for homes on the rooftop is no more a distant dream but a reality. Plenty of residential users today have started adopting solar, not just to meet their power demands in a clean way but also as a source of financial savings and for great returns on investment.

We have talked in much details and depth about how installing solar systems for homes in Delhi makes financial, economic and environmental sense. The case is true for any part of India as we receive easily more than 300 days of direct sunlight throughout the year. So, whether you are in Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Chennai or Bengaluru, installing solar rooftop plant at your residence is a very rewarding decision.

What are the benefits of a solar system at your rooftop?

1) With a solar system, you will be producing and consuming your own power. This means, you will consume power at a set price for the next 25 years. While those around you without solar will keep paying for power slab-wise and increasing grid prices over the years, your cost of power will be fixed today for the next 25 years.

2) In case, your area sees a lot of power cuts, a battery-backed solar system would ensure you have an alternative to grid power and not have to live without fans, lights, and air-conditioners. Unlike the old technology behind traditional inverters, you can run all your appliances including ACs, with your solar system.

3) Producing your own power with the solar system would mean you save on your electricity bill. If you go completely solar, no more electricity bill till the lifetime of your plant.

4) A solar system can be designed and customised according to your needs. Add to it, you will be utilizing your rooftop which is most likely lying barren. Even if you want to make use of your rooftop post installing solar panels, it is possible with the help of structures at extra height.

5) With the cost of solar having coming down drastically, today cost of installing a solar system is highly economical.

6) Needless to day, with a solar system for your home, you will be making a vital contribution to the environment.

Now that you are convinced about installing a solar system on your rooftop at home, what exactly would be the process of installing solar. The first thing obviously would be to research and look for the best partner for the same. At MYSUN, we pride ourselves to be one of the most premium solar rooftop installers in the country. We take care of your rooftop and at all steps in your journey ensure that the consumer gets the best deal. With a globally experienced design and installation team, MYSUN is both experienced and service driven to ensure 360-degree care of each and every project that we sign up for. With MYSUN, the process of going solar is simple and straightforward:

1) The first thing that you must do is to schedule your site survey. Currently, the MYSUN site survey services are available in the entire Delhi/NCR region. For our users, beyond Delhi/NCR, we offer a wonderfully detailed free solar assessment report as well as refer them to our partners that are spread wide and across the country.

2) Once you have scheduled your site survey, a highly advanced assessment of the site is conducted on the day of your choice. It generally takes between 1 to 2 hours to thoroughly map the site, conduct a detailed shadow analysis and take the radiation readings in order to ensure the installed solar system gives you the best generation and hence financial returns. Site assessment is the most critical part of designing your solar system as this is what determines the final design of your system. An improper system design, a wrong shadow analysis true for the next 25 years will mean you are stuck with a poor solar system for life. With MYSUN's engineering team's experience of designing more than a 1000 solar systems, our site assessment methods and techniques are genuinely a class apart.

3) Post the site assessment, our engineering team proposes an expertly design layout for your solar system. During the design process, we ensure the maximum solar power generation highest possible savings and returns. A lot of care is taken into ensuring that the rooftop looks neat and clean and your solar system makes your home stand apart.

4) Alongside the design, a financial proposal is presented to you. Here, if you wish to opt for, you will have the opportunity to use MYSUN Solar Financing products that allow you to build your own financing package, apply for solar loan or use the MYSUN Flexi Pay options. Finance therefore will no longer be the hinderance for you to go solar. Both the design and the financing options can be customised as per your requirement. Our most recent offering allows you to buy a solar system with No Down Payment. That shows our great confidence in the quality and long term reliability of our solar PV systems.

5) Quick delivery and installation: Once you have given your go ahead on the financing and design, we deliver your solar system kit within a few days. It typically takes anywhere between 2 days to 5 days for the installation process to be completed.

6) Post installation, depending upon the type of system you have opted for (here are the different types of solar systems that are available), commissioning of the plant happens with the regulatory permissions and the plant is handed over to you.

While it is all great to install solar and start the generation, in order to maintain the generation, you must sign up an AMC or O&M partner. We have written more details about Service Packages here.

So, there you have everything you need to know about going solar for your residence. It is extremely simple and easy, and with MYSUN, it is reliable as well as trustworthy. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and book your site survey and install solar system for homes via MYSUN.

India's frosty relationship with China seems to be in a never ending circle of news and the latest chapter in the story comes from Renewables Sector. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has filed a petition for 'initiation of Anti- Dumping investigation concerning imports of Solar Cells whether or not assembled in modules or Panels originating in or exported from China PR and Malaysia'. In a letter dated July 17, 2017, Mithileshwar Thakur, the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade informed the Chinese Embassy in India of the move.

The petition comes on the back of several mummers that have been going around in the recent past owing to the rather weak performance of the Indian manufactured solar cells in the market, with a large percentage of installers and developers preferring to import the cells from China owing to lower costs. As recent as June 30th, in an article by Economic Times, it was mentioned that the manufacturers had reached out to the Government to help them and impose a 'safeguard duty' on the equipment to help level the playing fields at least in terms of the cost. According to the same article, the manufacturers in India had asked for an anti dumping duty of 10 cents per watt on the modules and cells that were imported.

It is a widespread knowledge that of the 5GW+ installed capacity that was commissioned in the year 2016/17, 90% of the solar cells used were either imported from China or neighboring countries like Taiwan or Malaysia. It has been reported that over 1.5GW of manufacturing capacity of solar cells in India has been lying idle simply because of the lack of demand. The Indian Government in the past has pushed the Make in India narrative strongly in the sector, and we saw with the 500 MW Rooftop SECI Subsidy program, it was mandatory to use the domestic modules. However, with India losing the case in the WTO for Fair Trade, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that this time the Government will implement the duty on imported cells. In the immediate term, this would increase the total project cost in the range of about 5-15% in case a safeguard duty of about 20% is imposed. This would also mean in conjunction with GST, which has been recently implemented, in the short term the cost of solar tariffs will go up perhaps back to the Rs 3 mark from the Rs 2.44 that we have seen recently.

While this move will benefit the local players, it will create a barrier for global manufacturers from entering the country, which could prove to be undermining for the industry. It would be interesting to see the response and the investigation into the matter, but more than ever before, if Anti-Dumping has to come, this looks to be as likely a period as ever so far.

Robots have been parts of our lives for decades now. If you have been following the narratives of the past year or so, it is widely rumored that robots will eventually replace humans, at least in most production factories. Various assembly lead industries have been using fully or semi-automated machines to improve efficiency and decrease labour costs. With technology advancing rapidly, we come across news reports on daily basis about innovations in the robotics which have the potential to change our lives. But, what about solar robots?

Interestingly, robots, are no more confined within the factories they have entered all spheres of our lives. They’re being used in schools, hospitals, restaurants, defence and many other areas today.

In an age where there is so much focus on energy, scientists all across the globe have started looking for alternatives which could be used to fuel these robots and make them more efficient so that they can work non-stop for longer durations. Robots fitted with solar cells are certainly capturing the imagination and can be the future of robotics due to the low fuel cost. A couple of Solar Robots have already been released in the market and we wanted to share about them:

Solar Robot Name: Tertill

Designed by:  Franklin Robotics.

Purpose: Removes weeds from your garden.

Fuel Source: Runs on solar energy.

Tertill is a Robot manufactured by the Massachusetts-based company, Franklin Robotics. The Robot is capable of patrolling your garden and cutting off the unwanted weeds on daily basis. In short, it replaces your gardener. The company has developed it using the same prototype of its popular robot ‘Roomba’, the vacuum cleaner. Unlike most Robots, instead of using high-tech cameras, Tertill uses simple height sensors to differentiate whether plants are desired or they are unwanted weeds. It leaves the plants which are taller than 1 inch but it chops off those of lesser height. It doesn’t uproot weeds from the ground but cuts them with the help of a small nylon string that spins rapidly to cut the weeds.

To inform Turtill that you want to keep a small plant, you just have to surround it by plant collars which are provided along with it. This lets Turtill know that it is the desired plant. It doesn’t use any chemicals for eliminating the weeds, which helps in maintaining the fertility of the soil as well as does not infect the plants. It is waterproof too and can work even in the cloudy weather. One more interesting thing is that you don’t have to stand by its side when it is working, its performance can be monitored on your smartphone via an app which uses Bluetooth to send information such as the quality of the soil, weather and robot’s activity. Truly a digital garden keeper, powered by solar. You can find more on the Solar Robot Tertill here.

Solar Robot Name: S5s Security Robot

Designed by: SMP Robotics

Purpose: Patrolling and Surveillance

Fuel Source: Solar powered

S5s Security Robot is developed by the SMP robotics company which has made a name for itself in designing security robots. These Robots are being used for surveillance and patrolling the security borders, however, the conventional robots require access to electrical grids, which leads to an added cost. However, this is where the S5s stands out. S5s robot is equipped with solar panels and thus can perform continuous video surveillance even in the areas where grid connectivity is unavailable.

It is capable of independently navigating and can also change its viewing positions. It is equipped with an auto motion tracking PTZ camera with x36 optical zoom which allows the robot to keep track of passageways from a significant distance. S5s features six 360 degree cameras which help it to monitor all directions without a fuss. This robot also has an inbuilt motion sensor that sounds an alarm in case of any movement in its close proximity. It connected to a control room through WiFi from where it receives commands to change positions. The robot can potentially revolutionize the way surveillance is done in the modern times. The fact that it is powered by solar, is a huge bonus too. You can find more on Solar Robot S5s here.

While these are just two solar robots, we look forward to several more of them powered by solar in the future. Make sure you share the article with your friends on social media so they are up to date with the prowess of solar.

For a long time movies have been made inspired from incidents of real life. But what happens, when reel life actually inspires you to go ahead and define how the future would actually look? This seems to be the background of the work that Jayan Thomas of the University of Central Florida has been doing, inspired by the movie Back to the Future. The movie has been credited with inspiring a lot of work in the past with well-known brands such as Nike and Lexus turning to it for some inspiration.

Mr Jayan has developed filaments that are capable of trapping and storing solar energy while they are being sewn into various textile fabrics. Theoretically, this means, that these filaments can help you charge your personal electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets when you need to. The details of the working of the filaments have been published in a journal called, ‘Nature Communications’. The filaments are basically thin, flexible, copper ribbons that have solar cells on one side and energy storing layers on the other side. The filaments are then converted into square using tabletop loom and laced throughout the clothing. The filaments by the virtue of their presence will be able to provide energy when needed without needing to be recharged.

The application of clothes made with these special filaments is directed towards military primarily. Soldiers who spend a lot of time in the sun for example, can make most out of this technology, allowing them not to carry the heavy battery packs to recharge. A soldier carries as much as 30 pounds of battery on their body and if these filaments do become mainstream it would be a massive relief. Another application of solar powered clothes is helping charge electric vehicles. This is not the first time that someone has worked out a solar application when it comes to clothes. A couple of years ago in 2014, Tommy Hilfiger showed off an entire collection of solar power jackets that would help the customers charge their phones using the jacket. However, unlike the filaments used here, the jacket back in the day was decked with water resistant and flexible solar panels and was a more straight forward solution. Each of these jackets then cost $599 and could charge a device of 1500 mAh four times when it was fully charged.

It is not clear the sort of output and efficiency these filament based clothes will produce or if they can ever be practically used. However, pure from an innovation point of view, this is indeed a peek into the future, at least that is what we hope.

Source: 1, 2

Image Source: UCF