Did my ability to search for things intelligently on the internet die when Google search did or are there legitimately no personal umbrellas with solar panels and a battery pack? Like I feel like that would be an obvious thing, and there’s a bajillion beach umbrellas and patio umbrellas that have solar panels. How are there no personal versions for wandering around on a sunny day with portable shade that gets you a charged battery pack? Is this a thing and I just can’t find it or does it not exist yet and all of science has failed me in every way possible?

Sorry for the terrible AI picture, I didn’t create it I just found it on the internet and it was the only one I could find because these apparently don’t actually exist.

  • zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 days ago

    A device, which is only used when it is really cloudy for photovoltaics has to be one of the dumbest ideas ever.

    • Alaik@lemmy.zip
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      1 day ago

      Im beginning to see more people actually parasoling in the southern US and if im being honest… I’ve been tempted given how our heat and UV measurements are going.

      • zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 day ago

        Interesting. It appears that it is one side effect of climate change.

        Side note: PV panels try to absorb a lot of light. Parasols try to reflect it, which is why they usually have a bright color. Imagine now holding an umbrella, absorbing more energy than your skin/hair would, causing you to sweat even more?

    • JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Umbrellas are used in sunshine and are often called parasols. It’s not a bad form factor, it just seems to have practical limitations, like being foldable and still useful. Love the idea, though.

      Japan is ready. Other places can be made ready. It isn’t hard to prepare people for bikes or whatever. Solar panels on everything are potentially a good idea. I only worry that my umbrellas do not last.

    • tiredofsametab@fedia.io
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      2 days ago

      Japan (and I think a number of other asian countires) has a lot of people using them as sun shades. Particularly when we walk a lot and even moreso in the concrete jungles like tokyo

      • zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        And you don’t think that carrying a 10kg umbrella is unsuitable for this type of climate, when you are already sweating with 500g?

        I think it is also a cultural thing, as in asian communities brighter skin is preferred

        • tiredofsametab@fedia.io
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          2 days ago

          I won’t comment on the cosmetic side of things, but it is several degrees cooler under a parasol/umbrella and that’s the usual selling point. I didn’t comment on the weight or practicality, either (I don’t actually think it’s practical with the technology we have today). I was pointing out that these would potentially be used in times other than when it’s cloudy as zr0 mentioned.

      • zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 day ago

        I think there are some test roads in the Netherlands on the bike lane. Roads are used in all weather conditions, 24/7. Umbrellas not. Roads have approximately the same energy yield as any solar panel on the roof, minus the suboptimal angle and minus the road users causing shadows.

        • Valmond@lemmy.world
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          11 hours ago

          If you don’t see the absurd part in trying to put solar panels as a road then I’m sorry I can’t do anything for you 😁. There are exactly 0 practical reasons to do so.

          • zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            8 hours ago

            There is nothing absurd about it. Every surface, which is constantly exposed to the sun, should be covered in PV panels.

            • Valmond@lemmy.world
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              4 hours ago

              Yeah, starting with a fucking road and having cars drive on it all the time instead of like, you know, putting the fragile panel on the side, so smart. I hope you’re joking 😂😅 what’s next, at the bottom of a pool?

                • Valmond@lemmy.world
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                  14 minutes ago

                  You’re just digging the hole deeper.

                  I bet those transparent material are as strong and cheap as asphalt, and becomes magically clean from tire traces…

                  Why not put the panel on a stick on the side of the road? Is that not complicated and expensive enough?

                  Edit: that Netherlands project seems cheap. BTW I have a bridge to sell, interested?

    • jasoman@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Some areas still use the for just sun protection. Agree that it would not be a global product for now.

      • zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        Different device, similar features. They tend to be much larger, making the weight an even bigger issue.