Most gadgets that we report on require some sort of power source. One of the most techie and ecologically friendly ways of powering gadgets is via the power of the sun. This section of Coolest Gadgets is dedicated to gadgets that get their power from the sun’s rays, be it via solar panels or just simple heating.
The Solar Powered Tiki Light will definitely be a welcome addition to any garden, beautifying it without all the adverse effects of using oil.
Environmentally friendly-no wasteful electricity needed, no burning lamp oil to pollute the air. Light automatically comes on at dusk and casts a realistic, flickering glow. Bamboo pole adjusts from 39″ to 59″ high.
Individual purchases retail for $19.99, while buying two or more will cost $18.99 a pop.
Go green with this Solar Birdbath Fountain. I’m sure it operates on the same principles and mechanism as the solar-powered birdbath we covered some time ago, but the model here is different in terms of aesthetics.
Free solar power turns this handsome birdbath into a soothing fountain. No wiring or plumbing needed. The sun does all the work, transforming this eye-catching birdbath into a bubbling spout of water. Direct sunlight activates the birdbath’s fountain, bringing the relaxing sounds of splashing water to your yard.
Priced at $179, make sure you don’t have any Garfield-wannabes in the vicinity, all geared up to pounce on your feathered friends.
If you hate to end up with a dead gadget just because there is no power outlet in the immediate vicinity, then the PowerMonkey Charger might be just what the doctor ordered.
PowerMonkey is a sleek little gadget that provides hours of extra power for portable devices. Think of it as a back-up battery that, once charged, holds its power without leakage for up to a year. Simply plug it into your gizmos and let the juice flow. You’ll never be caught out with a dead battery again. There are two kinds of PowerMonkey, the solar-powered eXplorer and the mains-powered Classic but both models come complete with all kinds of adapters, so you can fire up virtually any device imaginable. The eXplorer even features water-resistant rubberised casing, a folding solar panel and a handy LCD screen that displays remaining charge - ideal for adventurous eco-types who won’t be near an AC socket anytime soon. When you want some more portable power just leave it to soak up a few rays.
The Classic and eXplorer models will retail for £29.95 and £64.95, respectively. Sounds like a pretty sound investment if you travel a whole lot.
Fancy tanning yourself out under the sun? Why not have some quiet personal time in the privacy of your own backyard with this solar-powered bullet vibrator, courtesy of Libida? Should you feel shy about baring your bits in full view of anyone with a good pair of binoculars or telescopes, there is always the option to use it indoors as it can also function via artificial light as well. This eco-friendly device retails for $29.95 a pop.
Tokyo is well known for it’s lights. Blaring ads that rival Time Square and soak up the power grid while doing it. Godzilla stomping on buildings while the Neon lights explode. But over at Panasonic Center, environmentally conscious designers are changing that high powered perception with a design that probably had a kid’s toy as it’s inspiration.
It’s become almost trendy to be green these days. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, in fact there is little to complain about when it comes to saving the environment. I have to admit that I don’t go as far out of my way as some people to use alternative fuels and conserve energy. Though I did switch all of my monitors out to LCD screens, which we all know use far less power than the old CRTs. I also use rechargeable batteries, rather than throwing out AAs every month or two. If you’re concerned about the energy that’s required to recharge those batteries, then you might look into this solar battery charger.
Solar powered cars are good and all, but if you can’t afford the real thing, why not start with something small…very small? The Mini Solar-Powered Car is here to keep you entertained.
The world’s smallest solar powered car - it zooms along when the sun shines on the solar panel. No batteries - it gets its power just from the sun. No assembly required. Measures a tiny 3.3cm x 2.2cm x 1.4 cm. When the sun shines on the solar panel, the panel makes electricity that turns the motor and the wheels. A fun demonstration of solar power. Will also work when close to a strong artificial light source. Not for children under 3 years old, due to small parts.
Get this pesudo-educational gift for $19.99.
In case you hadn’t noticed, Summer is long gone. However, when it’s sunny and warm out, I like to take my laptop outside and try to do my work in the outdoors. It’s a great change of pace from sitting in my office every day. The only problem is that when my laptop is feeding off of the WiFi access, my battery tends to run down a little faster than I’d like, and park benches never seem to have power outlets. Wouldn’t it be great if you could get your juice from the sun’s rays?
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