The Off-grid Outlet

The Off-Grid Outlet is a solar-powered AC outlet and 12V DC power port for patrons of the outdoor courtyard of the Brooklyn restaurant the Habana Outpost, to be installed in the summer of 2008 and controlled by a robot built by high school students. The system has a custom two-axis motorized tracking mechanism to increase the output of the solar panel by pointing it towards the sun. The Outlet's users can directly drive the solar panel using switches and observe the relationship between the panel, the sun, and the energy captured and consumed via embedded displays.

The restaurant is also working with student groups via its non-profit, Habana Labs, to develop systems for automating the tracking mechanism. Following the sun is a non-trivial, real-world robotics challenge. The problem is further complicated by the particulars of the panel's ultimate location, which will only receive direct sunlight for about half the day.

Students from Elizabeth Irwin High School and Friends Seminary are currently undertaking this challenge under the guidance of Tim Cooper, an educator at Little Red School House/Elizabeth Irwin High School, and will be installing and testing their work throughout the duration of the Eyebeam exhibit.

This project is supported by Habana Outpost: http://www.ecoeatery.com, Glide Design: http://www.glide-inc.com/, and the Little Red School House/Elizabeth Irwin High School http://www.lrei.org/.