People Power
Solar-powered products for sustainable, self-sufficient living
If we want to realise a more sustainable future, being sustainable should be accessible to everyone. Nowadays, making sustainable choices is only possible for a small group of people who can afford it. This project provides an inclusive way to make your home a more sustainable and more comfortable space by providing a series of products that are powered by the sun.
The emphasis on personal responsibility when it comes to sustainability is big. However, it’s not so simple for the reported 14.5 million people living in relative poverty [after housing costs] in the UK*. These people might not be able to make sustainability a personal priority, even if they wanted to.
The first product of the proposed series is a heated blanket that uses solar power to generate electricity. This ‘Solar Blanket’ saves energy by directing heat toward the user. It isolates the warmth in their immediate periphery and avoids wasting energy on heating up a larger space.
The solar panel, which works in most weather conditions, is designed to be placed in front of a window. It can be used to charge a portable power bank, which then powers the blanket, along with other products in the series. Portability also gives these products the advantage of not being location bound and expands their use and user base.
Mireille Steinhage
mireille.steinhage.eu
mireille@steinhage.eu