Brooklyn, N.Y. — Solar-charging supplier Goal Zero will unveil today a collaboration with AT&T and Brooklyn design studio Pensa to offer public solar-powered charging stations around New York City.
The stations, called Street Charge, will be powered by three 15-watt monocrystaline solar panels that charge an internal 11-volt, 15.6 Ah Lithium battery pack. The battery stores power to allow device charging 24 hours a day. Each station will have six ports in all: Apple 30-pin and Lightning connectors, a MiniUSB, and three female USB ports for those who carry their own charging cables.
Goal Zero said the charging duration will be similar to that of a wall outlet, about two hours for an average smartphone to be fully charged from complete discharge.
Goal Zero intends to market the modular Street Charge units to architects, developers and city planners seeking to offer amenities in commercial and public spaces. Besides providing power, Street Charge can also potentially power lighting, Wi-Fi routers and signage for ads.
Pensa’s prototype Street Charge was successfully tested last summer in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn. The design studio then sought out Goal Zero as its solar provider partner.
The Street Charge stations will debut today in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park. AT&T will sponsor the roll out of units around New York this summer in areas with high foot traffic, including Brooklyn Bridge Park, Coney Island, Riverside Park, the Rockaways, Central Park’s Summerstage concert series, Randall’s Island, Governor’s Island, Union Square and Hudson River Park.
“We’re excited to team up with AT&T and Pensa to help make New York a little greener and solar power a little more accessible,” said Joe Atkin, president and CEO of Goal Zero. “Nearly half of all Americans own a smartphone and the amount of time we spend on handheld devices has increased dramatically. All too often, we hear the dreaded low-battery beep and it happens at the most inconvenient times. Street Charge will fix that.”
“Partnering up with Goal Zero is a great match for us,” said Marco Perry, co-founder of Pensa. “We’re looking to create something that complements its surroundings and invites people to hang out and recharge. We have also found that where people gather, opportunities develop for street vendors and retail, and neglected urban areas come alive.”
