Tap the sun and plug in: solar table

Bright minds invent table that stores solar power for gadgets, no cords attached
Lin Yanqin, Today Online 5 Dec 07;

USING solar power at home could now be as simple as buying a new table for the garden.

With the solar table developed by local start-up Grenergy, one can sit in the garden and use a laptop or radio, without worrying about the power running out or having to run extension cords out of the house.

The appliance plugs into a socket at the side of the table. And, as a bonus, no carbon dioxide is released in generating the electricity — helping to reduce one's carbon footprint.

The product will be launched at this year's GardenTech fair which starts on Friday, organised by the National Parks Board (NParks).

Marketed by biodegradable plastics company Winrigo, the table features a top made up of solar panels that can power a laptop for at least five hours, or an electric fan for over 10 hours.

Said Mr Lawrence Ng, one of the directors of five-month-old Grenergy: "We got the idea when we were using a laptop in the park one day and the battery ran out. We decided to try and make something that would let us to use our gadgets outdoors."

Mr Ng, currently a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, then set up the company with four partners and created a prototype of the table in July.

With four hours of charging in the sunlight, the table will supply enough power for appliances such as radios, lamps, electric fans and laptops, but not for heating products like electric stoves or power tools. "That's something we're looking into," said Mr Ng.

A full set comprising a table and four chairs — made out of wrought iron — will be sold at a promotional price of $4,500 at GardenTech, and for $5,500 after the fair.

Said NParks director Kong Yit San of the possibility of using the solar tables in local parks: "We're open to technologies and innovations that will benefit park users. We will explore the feasibility of using this innovation in our parks."

The GardenTech fair, which runs from Dec 7 to 11 at the new HortPark off Alexandra Road, will showcase the latest in plants, gardening and garden furniture. Admission is free.