Ricoh' 'Depending on the Weather' Neon Sign

Ricoh Co., Ltd. has set up a neon sign which works entirely on natural energy, in Osaka, Japan. Electricity generated by hybrid generators using wind and solar power is stored to light up the advertising sign. The sign is equipped with 26 small generators and 39 solar panels with an average generation capacity of 21.06 kwh per day. If the sign is lit up for 7 hours per day, it is estimated that this system will reduce CO2 emission by about 30 tons in 10 years.

Depending on weather conditions, the sign switches off when enough power is not being generated, though this is improbable. Similar systems normally switch to commercialized electricity when self-generated power generated is insufficient, but Ricoh's neon sign does not have such a system.

The company's approach in creating this neon sign is rather unique: they are ready to sacrifice their advertisement when whether conditions are not favorable. Ricoh states: "Yachts do not sail on a windless day, either. The natural environment is always capricious. Our obligation today is to reduce the burdens we place on the environment and to use natural energy. Now is the time to change our way of thinking, and that is just what we have done."





Posted: 2003/09/27 11:51:50 AM
Japanese version