By Ken Storey
With the transition from phone booths to personal cell phones now almost complete, the issue now is not where to make a call, but where to charge a phone. AT&T partnered with Goal Zero and New York-based Pensa design studio for a new free solar based charging stations.
The ‘Street Charge’ stations come equipped with chargers including microUSB, USB, and iPhone. Built with three 15 watt solar panels on top and Li-NMC batteries inside, the stations provide a free charge day or night. The stations can also be equipped with lighting, WiFi, and way-finding or ad signage. Being solar based means that the stations are fully self-contained, meaning they can go almost anywhere and come in handy during blackouts.
“We’re excited to team up with AT&T and Pensa to help make solar power a little more accessible,” said Joe Atkin, President and CEO of Goal Zero. ”All too often, we hear the dreaded low-battery beep and it happens at the most inconvenient times. Street Charge will fix that.”
25 stations roll out over the summer throughout Brooklyn and each can be moved based on usage patterns.
Imagine these in a couple of weeks when everyone has dead phones during Fireworks at the Fountain or Red, Hot, and Boom. They could even be put to use inside the area theme parks; anyone who has visited Magic Kingdom lately can attest to how popular their charging station is. Other local uses could include bus stops, outdoor seating areas, or on campus at our many local higher education establishments.
With the transition from phone booths to personal cell phones now almost complete, the issue now is not where to make a call, but where to charge a phone. AT&T partnered with Goal Zero and New York-based Pensa design studio for a new free solar based charging stations.
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| (Unless otherwise noted images via GoalZero.com/blog) |
“We’re excited to team up with AT&T and Pensa to help make solar power a little more accessible,” said Joe Atkin, President and CEO of Goal Zero. ”All too often, we hear the dreaded low-battery beep and it happens at the most inconvenient times. Street Charge will fix that.”
25 stations roll out over the summer throughout Brooklyn and each can be moved based on usage patterns.
Imagine these in a couple of weeks when everyone has dead phones during Fireworks at the Fountain or Red, Hot, and Boom. They could even be put to use inside the area theme parks; anyone who has visited Magic Kingdom lately can attest to how popular their charging station is. Other local uses could include bus stops, outdoor seating areas, or on campus at our many local higher education establishments.
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| Image via GoalZero's facebook |