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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      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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        7 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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          4 hours ago

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