Comments on: Post Sandy wish list: solar-powered public chargers

By: Zoran Lojanica

Zoran Lojanica — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:32:43 +0000

No tampering, and this is coming from a local. Frankly, I’m surprised you guys don’t have something similar in the US. They’re very handy if you’re out all day making/receiving calls and your battery runs out, cause they have power cords for various types of phones preinstalled. I can’t imagine how useful they’d be in circumstances of a complete grid failure. And no, I am not selling these :D

By: Mike Simm

Mike Simm — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 03:46:54 +0000

I’ve seen these in Serbia for quite some time now. They’re come in quite handy! Haven’t noticed any tampering at all.
In regards to ‘sucking the private data off your phone’, isn’t that even more possible at just about every coffee shop that you visit and tap for WiFi?
These ‘trees’ would be great in Central Park.

By: drmichaelham

drmichaelham — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 23:10:57 +0000

We came up with a portable solution for this problem. Solar trailers for disaster relief phone charging http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/273649

By: sean

sean — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 17:52:38 +0000

Michael,
Battery backup systems for your home or business are very expensive and may not actually be cost affective. Most roof top solar systems shut off when the grid is down. I think a stand alone battery storage solar system like this is a great idea.

Henk, I’m guessing this company has no interest in sucking the private data off your phone, you’re not that important.

any info on whether or not these trees have been tampered with in Serbia?

By: Michael W. Perry

Michael W. Perry — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 16:06:49 +0000

Not that practical. Put something like that in a public park, and it will be defaced and looted long before there’s an emergency in which it is needed.

More practical is to install a solar system in your home or office and use it daily to charge digital devices. That’ll recoup some of the cost and ensure that you keep it working. And then when disaster hits, it’s there, ready to charge your must-have devices, including night-time lighting. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough or well enough protected by a cover to survive whatever disaster is common in your area.

By: HenkPoley

HenkPoley — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 11:58:56 +0000

In the mean time they’ll sap the private data off your phone.

By: nPower® PEG

nPower® PEG — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:48:45 +0000

We solved that problem for a few folks in the hurricane zone already.

http://www.npowerpeg.com/blog/190-pegs-in-the-hurricane-zone