Phone Dying? Solar-Powered Charging Stations Popping Up in NYC

• June 19, 2013
• 7 Comments

by Shilpi Paul

These days, cell phones seem to need juicing up just about every day; a particularly phone-heavy day can mean that you run out of power while still out on the town.

So in an effort to remedy that, solar-powered phone charging stations will be set up this week on the streets of New York City. A sort of modern take on the phone booth, these sleek, vertical structures, dubbed Street Charge, will have several outlets and be usable even when the sun is no longer shining.

The 25 stations were created in a collaboration between GOAL ZERO, AT&T and the design studio Pensa, and will be open to the public. Solar panels and lithium batteries are incorporated into the design, and they will likely be set up in public places like Brooklyn Bridge Park, Union Square and Riverside Park — or in other words, pleasing places to hang out in while the phone is gathering power.

As of now, the plan is for AT&T to run the stands for 90 days. A more permanent contract has not yet been established.

DC residents, what do you think? Would you use something like this in the District?

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/phone_dying_solar-powered_charging_stations_popping_up_in_nyc/7220

7 Comments

1. Daniel said at 11:11 pm on Wednesday June 19, 2013:
   Yes, bring this to DC! It is genius.

1. Zesty said at 3:42 pm on Thursday June 20, 2013:
   I think this would only make sense in areas abutting restaurant or lunch venues in DC. The only park or mass public space where this would make sense in DC would be Meridian Hill park (and usage would be primarily on the weekend).

1. Jess said at 7:58 pm on Thursday June 20, 2013:
   We need this here in DC NOW! Fantastic idea.

1. Dartagnan said at 4:13 pm on Friday June 21, 2013:
   I think this is absolutely stupid. Here is a thought: Why not get a phone that has a battery life of more than 1 day?? Now THAT is a fantastic idea!!

1. Todd said at 7:55 pm on Saturday June 22, 2013:
   Yes!

1. Pete said at 2:35 pm on Wednesday June 26, 2013:
   Finally! This is excellent news, I just hope that Canada will follow this example too. Ever since I found out about <a href="http://juliekinnear.com/blogs/top-10-solar-powered-gadgets">solar-powered window sockets</a> I'm all excited about this technology. I think these charging stations are going to be a huge success.

1. Karen said at 9:03 pm on Saturday November 9, 2013:
   Yes, DC needs something like this. Also the surrounding MD area! Will it service verizon customers?