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This semester, visitors to Devil’s Den will see what resembles a blue picnic table outside the main entrance. Beneath its “roof”—in this case, a set of solar panels—seats and multiple outlets provide a quick recharge area for students and their mobile devices.
Facilities unveiled the Sunbolt Campus XL solar table in mid-August in support of the university’s sustainability goals. Drawing on the sun’s power, the Campus XL provides a clean and renewable energy source to charge phones, tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices.
The Campus XL model features six 120-volt, GFCI-protected outlets; 12 USB outlets (including USB-C fast-charging outlets), and two Qi wireless charging pads—plus, a bit of shade. Even better, the table and bench tops are made from sustainable and recycled materials.
With a full battery, the solar table can charge between 50 and 150 smartphones per day at the same rate as a typical outlet.
Sunbolt uses photovoltaic panels to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity, according to its website. The charge controller, inverter, and battery within the table process the power and feed it to multiple power outlets. Even during days with limited sunlight, the solar panels convert energy into usable electric power which is stored in the battery.
Just up the hill, installation of a new Bloom Energy Server Platform is underway between Kaiser Hall and the Copernicus parking garage. The platform contains several fuel cells that convert natural gas, biogas, and hydrogen into electricity without combustion. According to Bloom Energy’s website, this electrochemical process reduces air pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are known contributors to global warming.
The unit will deliver reliable, 24-7 onsite power and offset 2,000 kilowatts of utility power during normal operation. If the power goes out, the fuel cell can provide 1,650 kilowatts of independent power.
The platform will be up and running later this fall, according to Facilities Management at Central.
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