When thinking of solar energy, most people will think of the large, rectangular panels that sit on roof tops and collect the sun’s rays during daylight hours. It is difficult to imagine solar energy or the process of collecting solar energy as anything but the stereotypical image of solar panels themselves. However, different countries are making unbelievable strides in the collection of solar energy through unconventional means.
The titan gas company, Shell, along with London-based clean tech company, Pavegen, have been on the forefront of unique solar energy installs in poor countries. The two companies first funded and installed the first solar and kinetic energy powered soccer field in Brazil’s “Morro da Mineira”, a favela where many low income people live. The concept is rather simple and has gained attention world wide since its install. Solar panels located on the edges of the field collect the sun’s rays, but panels located under the artificial grass also turns and stores the kinetic energy produced by people playing soccer into electric energy. This energy is thus used to power the field’s floodlights at night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ikb682Mk-k
The combination of both people and the sun’s rays caught the attention of famous celebrities such as Akon, who launched a similar campaign called “Akon Lighting Africa” in 2014 with the help of Shell and Pavegen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg1Cb_K2w74
Akon makes a great point that it is hard for people to develop in a state of darkness. Akon’s campaign aims to not only power up floodlights, but create enough energy for the entire community. One out of five people live without electricity, and though these are small steps to providing light for all of those people without it, it is a start and it is being done with not only the sun’s rays, but with the most popular sport in the world. If this effort can be expanded to all types of sports and other events, the impact will be tremendously beneficial.
Sources:
https://www.devex.com/news/inside-akon-lighting-africa-87342
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/soccer-field-power-players-kinetic-energy-brazil-electricity/
http://www.gizmag.com/pavegen-shell-kinetic-tiles-soccer-pitch-brazil/34113/