This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am and is filed under Green Living, Quality of Life, Real Estate Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Solar Shades for the Green Luxury Home
Upon first seeing these beautifully-designed solar panels, I couldn’t help but imagine other applications and modifications for the green lifestyle–whether it be in the luxury home, a school yard, a country club or off-the-grid project.
Imagine these cobra-shaped shades as swiveling solar panels that take the place of outdoor umbrellas around the pool. Or as bus stop shelters or airport curbside check-in. The possibilities are endless and scalable.
And these VEIL Solar Shades are interactive to boot. Indicators on the base show which positions will yield the maximum energy collection at given times of the day. And underneath the shade is an LED feedback system that indicates whether the shade is getting enough sunlight or not–and whether the shade should be turned.
Designed by the Australian design firm Büro North and the the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab, the VEIL Solar Shades blend form and function elegantly.
Your ideas for implementation?
Tip of the top hat to Josh Spear.
May 17th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Definitely a brilliant and practical idea. Although the snak-shape is rather unpleasant
May 18th, 2008 at 12:19 am
James,
I suppose these solar shades could be shaped like mushrooms or umbrellas, but the adjustable openness of the VEIL Solar Shades is rather pleasing.
Just couldn’t resist comparing them to cobras!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Thanks for the info. on solar shades. They are artsy and useful.
Aloha,
Keahi
May 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Keahi:
We agree! I would personally like to see these solar shades planted throughout San Diego County parks and recreation areas:-)
They would make nice sunshades for Hawaii as well.
May 28th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I didn’t even see the snakes until I read it in the article. I didn’t realize that solar panels were so versitle. With this industry becoming so “pretty” they are sure to get a lot more potential uses… now if we could only work on price.
May 28th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Stephen,
The cobra resemblance is just fun humor. I find these solar shades to be really attractive–and if widely adopted, the price would surely come down.
Would love to see them in San Diego!