I'm surprised that Japan is investing in these "solar parking lots", given that they have such little space.
Wouldn't it be more eco-friendly if they just rode regular bicycles? Then many-storied bicycle parking lots would also save Japan some space.
If it only weren't for those darned steep hills!
Riding a bicycle is pretty eco-friendly. Riding a hybrid electric bike is less so.
Unless, of course, it’s a hybrid *e-bike powered by the sun.
Sanyo has installed two bicycle lots that serve as “re-fill” stations in Tokyo, Japan. Each “solar parking lot” is equipped with photovoltaic panels and lithium-ion battery systems for energy storage. Along with freeing the bikes from the fossil fuel chain, the sun will illuminate the parking lots’ LED street lamps.
Rain or shine, bikers can park and re-charge.
The lithium-ion battery systems at both lots—located near commuter railways—will hold enough power to charge 100 eneloop bikes.
Sanyo says:
The “Synergetic Hybrid Bicycle” automatically adjusts to differences in terrain uphill/downhill slopes, applying the perfect amount of assisted power when needed and engaging the regenerative properties of the “energy looping” eneloop “Loop Charging” system when coasting or braking. As a result, eneloop bike owners can expect to ride up to 40 miles per charge in full “Auto” pedal assist mode, roughly increasing the battery use capacity by up to 1.18 times per charge.
At around $2,299, eneloop bicycles are pricey. The bikes Sanyo will supply to Setagaya’s two-wheeled travelers will be “community bicycles,” which I assume means rentals.
