Design + Technology - Solutions in response to Forces of Nature

Imagine - You live near the equator and the recent hurricane has passed.  As part of the remnants of the storms are trees without leaves, structures without walls; the power is off, water is not available. and the sun beats down.  This is not the Caribbean post card resort experience - this is life and survival after the (most recent) storm.

The sun beating down is a mixed blessing when connected to solar technology.  So today we take a departure from design which often focuses on the aesthetic experience.  Today we look at how design and implementation of technology can help.  Impactful and practical  - This may make a difference - so please read on.

We are featuring Western Harmonics and one of their new solar panel "combo packs".  Solar panel, fan, light, battery back up and phone charger options.  Use of these can be a big help to a huge problem. 

Ultimately we may envision community based solar grids and smart hurricane resistant integration of panels into individual and shared systems for when power goes off and to benefit from the sun's natural resources.  Here are a few scenarios where solar fan combinations may be most beneficial a) Power is out and a population is not mobile - such as an at home senior with A/C not operableb) Barn for animals - similar situation - heat - still air - air movement is neededc) After the storms - no light at night, how to recharge cell phones, ventilation is needed and battery back up has to have capacity to keep air moving at night For today's Design Share we speak with Solar Engineer Inventor & CEO of Western Harmonics - Chris Woyewodzic to consider this "plug and play" system.  

Our questions to Western Harmonics English + Spanish: 

1. Tell us a little about your training and how you came up with these conceptsI studied at the University of Arizona and worked for a company that repaired robotic pool equipment and solar heaters.  That gave me some ideas I wanted to explore and with my own company and as a licensed solar engineer and installer I've had the opportunity to develop and invent systems. My academic and work background included electrical, solar, and business supplemented with a lot of practical experience in general contracting.
2. Can you discuss the way someone needs to hook up the system and what is involved? We've managed to simplify every system that goes out the door to a plug and play setup.  With most kits either a fan or series of fans, or a cooler - connect directly into the solar panel.  We include battery systems for back up of stored energy.  Sometimes lights or other items are linked to the system based on what is needed. Solar panels need to be placed with maximum opportunity to absorb direct sunlight.  
3. You mentioned battery backup - how does that work? It is plugged directly into the system to store energy and operate at night or cloudy days based on what's needed.
4. I saw on your site that you have different fans - how does someone size what they may need?  The best thing is for someone to contact us so we can discuss their needs and size their system and equipment. Thank you so much Chris - how does someone place an order and can bulk orders be handled?  What is the timeframe? By emailing [email protected] we can help clients and take it from there.   

(Our Interview in Spanish) Nuestra entrevista en Español:

1. cuéntanos un poco acerca de tu formación y cómo se te ocurrió estos conceptosEstudié en la Universidad de Arizona y trabajé para una empresa que reparaba equipos robóticos de piscinas y calentadores solares.  Eso me dio algunas ideas que quería explorar y con mi propia empresa y como ingeniero solar y instalador con licencia he tenido la oportunidad de desarrollar e inventar sistemas. Mis antecedentes académicos y de trabajo incluían electricidad, energía solar y negocios suplementados con mucha experiencia práctica en contratación general.
2. ¿puede discutir la forma en que alguien necesita conectar el sistema y lo que está involucrado? Hemos conseguido simplificar cada sistema que sale por la puerta a un plug and Play Setup.  Con la mayoría de los kits un ventilador o una serie de ventiladores, o un refrigerador-conectan directamente en el panel solar.  Incluimos sistemas de baterías para el respaldo de energía almacenada.  A veces las luces u otros elementos están vinculados al sistema basándose en lo que se necesita. Los paneles solares deben ser colocados con la máxima oportunidad para absorber la luz solar directa.
3. Usted mencionó el respaldo de batería-¿cómo funciona eso? Se enchufa directamente en el sistema para almacenar energía y para funcionar en la noche o los días nublados basados en qué es necesario.
4. VI en su sitio que usted tiene diferentes ventiladores-¿cómo alguien tamaño lo que puede necesitar?  Lo mejor es que alguien contacte con nosotros para que podamos discutir sus necesidades y el tamaño de su sistema y equipo. Muchas gracias Chris-¿cómo alguien poner una orden y puede órdenes a granel ser manejado?  ¿Cuál es el plazo? Enviando un correo electrónico a [email protected] podemos ayudar a los clientes y tomarlo desde allí.  Hablamos español e inglés.

We are eager to hear of your experience and to share ideas to make a positive difference.  Please let us hear from you with your Design Share input - it may take a village to make a difference ... so worth it Thank you! 

[Estamos ansiosos de escuchar su experiencia y compartir ideas para hacer una diferencia positiva.  ¡ por favor, déjenos oír de usted con su parte de diseño de entrada-puede tomar una aldea para hacer una diferencia ... así que vale la pena gracias].

A few product photos / Fotos del producto        

Courtesy of  westernharmonics.com See Website for More Options