From Roofs to Cubes, Harnessing the Power of the Sun

Lately I’ve been noticing interesting gadgets and stories related to solar power. It first started with this awesome window mounted electrical socket by Yanko Design. I envisioned sitting at the airport finally being able to stop searching endlessly for a place to plug-in and charge up. After doing some further research on the product (because […]

Lately I’ve been noticing interesting gadgets and stories related to solar power. It first started with this awesome window mounted electrical socket by Yanko Design. I envisioned sitting at the airport finally being able to stop searching endlessly for a place to plug-in and charge up. After doing some further research on the product (because I seriously wanted to purchase it), I’ve since learned from KCET contributor Chris Clarke that it it’s scientifically impossible for it to work. Bummer, right?

But then I came across a power cube called e-QBO, a modular cube that collects energy from the sun to provide power to public spaces. “During the day, the panels soak up sunlight and stores energy in battery packs, which can then be used by anyone to charge electronic devices and provide Wi-Fi,” states Valentina Palladino from theverge.com. I’m rooting for the team at T°RED to find a way to bring this concept to the masses, especially here in Savannah, Ga.,  where I live. There have been too many times I’ve been in Forsyth Park with a dead phone and no way to connect with anyone.

The cube got me wondering about our personal space, our homes, and what is taking place these days with solar power. I was fascinated to find this list of top solar cities and graph showcasing the top 10 most active states for solar powered projects.  I also learned that Best Buy (in about 60 stores) has partnered with Solar City to provide solar rooftop installation. With the declining costs of solar panels and companies like Solar City and Best Buy finding ways to bring this renewable energy to the masses, maybe it won’t be much longer until all of our homes are retrofitted with alternative energy sources.

Photo credit: NREL Solar Decathlon

Senior Manager, Public Relations & Giving for Coldwell Banker. Grew up in Sarasota and attended college at Western Carolina University. Athena wanted to wake up in that city that doesn’t sleep so headed to Madison Avenue to start her marketing career. She has been with this awesome brand for more than 15 years and can be found generating buzz about CB in every way possible. Athena helps to grow the brand’s position as the most storied real estate company within the industry and has led many high-profile endeavors; she was at the forefront of the brand’s pioneering smart home campaign, raised $6 million in two years to build 130 Habitat for Humanity homes, and led the Homes for Dogs program in partnership with Adopt-a-Pet.com that resulted in tens-of-thousands of dogs finding their furever home. She currently leads the CB Supports St. Jude program, which encourages the Coldwell Banker network’s 96,000+ real estate agents to make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for every real estate transaction they represent. In her spare time, you can find her either digging up a new area in her yard for another flower bed or planning her next travel adventure. She's the proud mom of three cats Jolene, Ziggy and Lucy.

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