Portable solar panels could give energy relief, create jobs

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MISENHEIMER, N.C. ? The latest in solar technology was on display at Pfeiffer University's Misenheimer campus Friday.

The 2kW Storm Cell is a set of solar panels that are portable. Experts say it is an alternative to diesel powered generators.

"What we have done is making energy accessible so that everybody can actually get it," said Dr. Seamus Curran, a professor at the University of Houston and CEO of C-Voltaics.

The company builds solutions for energy sources.

"It's an independent energy source which we can use anywhere," said Curran.

Curran said the device is a new way to power homes, especially after natural disasters. Thousands of people in the northeast are still without power weeks after Hurricane Sandy.

"This would have relieved a lot of pressure that's going on in the Northeast. We're hoping the lesson learned is that we'll have a lot more of these solar generators for the next time there's a catastrophe," said Curran.

The system is compact compared to most panels installed on rooftops. Three layers of panels can be collapsed together and stored in the event of a storm, and reopened again giving reliable back up power to an entire home. It also has a self-cleaning coating which means there's no maintenance.

Pfeiffer student Briana Borrego used to live in Wilmington and said the device is common sense.

"I think it's a great investment. I've experienced some of the hurricane stuff and being without power and everything you know it's during a state like that whatever will get the power back on, food and water and stuff like that to do anything," said Borrego.

State and local economic development leaders think it could power jobs in North Carolina.

"It ultimately comes down to jobs. And so you need people to be able to understand the technology and work with it to produce these new products that number one are creating jobs and number two are solving problems," said John Hardin, with the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Economic development officials in Stanly County said they are in early discussions to bring production of the storm cell to the area; potentially creating jobs there and relief around the country.

The solar cell developer would not comment on how much the device could cost once its manufactured. They hope production begins in the next couple of years.

Source: http://charlotte.news14.com/content/local_news/charlotte/671281/portable-solar-panels-could-give-energy-relief--create-jobs

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