Part of the VIA Green Computing Initiative, VIA Solar Computing seeks to overcome the challenges of power infrastructure deficiencies, especially in rural and remote areas, and to define clean energy solutions for developed urban markets. As a clean energy that can be harnessed to provide reliable, sustainable power, solar naturally complements VIA’s power efficient silicon, platform and system technologies in promoting environment-conscious computing.
VIA Solar Computing combines advanced, cost-effective solar panel technology from leading solar product innovators, Motech, with the power efficiency of VIA processor platforms to develop complete solar-powered computing solutions that are less polluting, more affordable, more reliable and more flexible for a wide variety of new markets, applications and environments.
Advantages of Solar Power for Computing
VIA Solar Computing is focusing on photovoltaic (PV) solar power to take advantage of the numerous benefits for both emerging market and urban computing installations:
- Solar power is a clean, non-polluting energy
- Solar panels are silent in operation; ideal for classroom, kiosk, shops or evening operations where a noisy generator would be disturbing
- Solar power is virtually free energy once the capital cost has been covered
- Solar panels do not require refueling; they are self-sufficient
- Solar panels are highly reliable and virtually maintenance free, some requiring only annual changes of water in deep-cycle batteries, and usually come with an average warranty of 20 years due to the absence of moving parts
The economics of solar power are becoming increasingly attractive, and especially for emerging market applications; worldwide production of solar cells has increased rapidly over the last few years, and these economies of scale, combined with the development of more efficient photovoltaic technologies, has reduced the average retail cost of a solar panel from US$27 to US$4 per watt between 1982 and 2005. And as R&D, production and popularity continue to expand, costs will continue to decline. At the same time, governments are starting to recognize the benefits of solar power, with many now offering tax and rebate incentives to promote this clean energy.
