Roger Platt gleefully spotted this heavily shaded, solar-powered parking meter in Bargates Car park, High Street, Burton upon Trent. He wonders if the fact that the area is famous for beer and brewing had something to do with the decision to locate it under a leafy canopy and notes the irony in chopping branches or cutting down trees to accommodate these environmentally-friendly devices.
The website Ecofriend also notes that the UK's notoriously gloomy weather has plagued the performance of these meters. Adding further to the woes -- Platt says he's noticed a number of these panels installed facing North, something he says "your average Boy Scout can figure out is not the best direction to point a solar panel."
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Comments (10)
Seems to me its more like a bad product design. The solar panel should be able to be tilted at installation.
And as far as gloomy or shade causing problems, the solar panel just isn't efficient enough. I'm sure, for a little more investment, a higher efficience solar panel could be fitted. Were that a separately priced option, the problem would be resolved.
One size does not fit all.
Posted by Garth Miles | September 6, 2007 5:42 PM
So why does a parking meter need electrical power?
On this side of the pond, ours are wind-up. You stick in the token or coin, then wind the lever over, and you can hear it ratchet up and load a spring. The "expired" flag goes away and a pointer points to the amount of time you just paid for.
Posted by Gene | September 6, 2007 7:04 PM
I shouldn't worry, it won't be there long - This site, carpark, buildings and all, along with the town's only Leisure Centre next door, is due to be bulldozed shortly to make way for yet another massive Tesco supermarket. Bet that'll be really eco-friendly.....
Posted by Dave | September 19, 2007 2:30 PM
Gene, this is a parking TICKET machine which serves the whole carpark, not a meter. I'd like to see them try and make a clock-work one, maybe like the wind-up torches and radios you can get ! You'd need so much time winding it up you'd have to pay extra time for parking.
Posted by Jim | September 19, 2007 4:39 PM
This has raised a valid point.
Why not fit these machines with a treadmill powered generator?
You'd simply insert your money, jog for five minutes and "voila" out would pop your parking ticket.
It would have the benefit of making the lard-arsed driving population fitter thus saving the NHS money in the long term. It'd also mean a saving on gym fees for the individual.
Posted by Barrymung | September 20, 2007 9:07 AM
what if you get a parking ticket while you're jogging for 5 minutes?
personally i say, since tax payers paid for the darn car parks in the first place, let us park for free.
Posted by paul9 | September 21, 2007 5:16 PM
Obviously the traffic wardens would be issued with mini treadmills in order to power their ticket printing machines! They'd therefore have to jog for five minutes before being able to issue a ticket.
Posted by Barrymung | September 26, 2007 11:40 AM
Anyway, car parks will be redundant once my maglev boots come to market.
Powered by a couple of AA batteries, the boots enable you to glide effortlessly a couple of inches above any metal surface, at speeds of up to 30 mph.
All I have to do is convince the Government to lay metal pavements.
Posted by Barrymung | September 26, 2007 11:44 AM
We have two of the solar powered machines (as pictured)in our busy 'forest' car parks. Both under shade, facing west and north. The ambient light is sufficient to power them. Advances in solar technology means that direct sunlight is not necessary. I would recommend them unreservedly!
Posted by AndyB | April 1, 2008 11:41 AM
is that for installation? another innovation? gee...
Posted by electrical installation | July 16, 2008 4:32 PM