Sanyo Offers New Energy-Saving System that Combines Solar Cells, Rechargeable Batteries, and Electric Hybrid Bicycles

2010.02.21 Sun

Sanyo Electric Co. announced on November 30, 2009, that it would start full operation of a project named the Smart Energy System (SES). It combines the company's technologies for energy creation (photovoltaic system), energy storage (rechargeable battery), and energy saving (commercial equipment, etc.), with the aim of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and lowering the operating costs of facilities such as factories, schools, and stores.

As part of the SES project, Sanyo will supply a "solar bicycle parking lot" and 40 "Eneloop" electric hybrid rental bikes to the Sakurajyosui Station on the Keio Line (railway) in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward in spring 2010. The parking lot -- equipped with a combination of solar cells and lithium-ion batteries -- is an independent system requiring no fossil fuels. Instead, it stores the electricity generated by the solar cells to charge the electric hybrid bikes and to supply power to light-emitting diode (LED) area lights. The system is comprised of "heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer" (HIT) solar panels -- measuring a total of about 46 square meters and providing a generating capacity of 7.56 kilowatts -- installed on the roof of the parking lot, which will enable charging of all 40 Eneloop bikes as well as supplying power for the LED lighting used to illuminate the area.

By combining the technologies of the HIT solar panels and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the system allows the charging of electric hybrid bikes, even at night or on rainy days, without using any commercial power supply. In addition, it is equipped with alternating current (AC) outlets to be used in emergencies to supply electricity for equipment in the area. The parking lot with its Eneloop bikes will be operated as a bicycle rental facility by Setagaya Ward and are expected to be used widely by people in the area.

SANYO to Install "Solar Parking Lot" and Provide "eneloop bikes" in Setagaya, Tokyo
http://sanyo.com/news/2009/11/30-1.html