> The space race is on again, but this time the mission is to pull power from the sun. This year, a number of companies from around the globe have announced plans to provide space-based solar power commercially. Japan is among the starters, saying it plans to launch solar-power satellites that will transmit energy back to Earth via laser beams. Scientists hope to have the first one orbiting by 2030.
Now it's time to leave the car behind and head for the hills.
Trampers who find themselves desperate for a drink from dodgy streams around the world can take a solar-powered gadget to sterilise water. The SteriPEN Adventurer uses ultraviolet light to disrupt the DNA of microorganisms like giardia and cryptosporidium, making them unable to reproduce and cause illness, says Rob Needs, from the Kiwi Outdoors Centre in New Plymouth.
"This is awesome for people who are intrepid," he says. "You just need clear water, so it's perfect for New Zealand."
The pen takes 30 seconds to sterilise water, but is costly: $349. And you have to spend a further $149.90 for the solar-charging case to recharge the CR123 batteries.
At Hunting and Fishing in New Plymouth and other outdoors stores you can order a solar- powered battery charger. Manager Shay Fairhurst says the three-panelled Solio device, worth $229.99, opens up like helicopter blades and can be attached to backpacks or coats so you can plug into the sun while you're out walking. It can power GPS units, MP3 players, cellphones and cameras.
"Internal recharge battery stores power up to one year," the blurb in a Hunting and Fishing catalogue says.
At Kathmandu, there are a couple of solar gadgets available - a kids' solar-powered watch ($35.99 on sale) and a solar LED key ring ($6.74 on sale).
It appears that retailers don't have masses of solar-powered devices, but there are hundreds available on Trade Me - www.trademe.co.nz - some of them very strange.
Perhaps the weirdest device was the solar-powered auto- darkening welding helmet adorned with a New Zealand flag. It went for $65.50.
A less-sophisticated gadget for your head is the solar fan cooling hat. While you might look a little like Disney character Gyro Gearloose, this hat could be the answer for hot spots like one-day cricket matches, the Big Day Out and ultra-distance running events (Lisa Tamati, this could be for you). It can also keep flies off your face, should you be planning a trip to Australia, and costs $19.99 in the Buy Now category.
Another odd item to keep an eye out for is the garden solar pest repeller. This beastie, designed to expel burrowing rodents, is powered by a solar cell.
"The ultrasonic frequency is designed to eliminate the rodents, but can be used against cockroaches, mosquitoes and flies as the frequency against these pests is similar to each other," the Trade Me advert says.
It sold at auction for $25.90.
One of the coolest Trade Me items was a solar-powered wireless speaker, which went for $126. Unfortunately, there was only one. The Treehugger blogsite sums it up best: "A waterproof, solar-powered 900Mhz speaker system that will work 150 feet away from the stereo."
As well as sound, you can also light up your backyard. The Warehouse sells an array of solar garden lights. You can get 10 ice- white LED ambient marker lights for $39.95 and there are other, smaller packs.
Back on Trade Me, there's a wide range, including solar- powered lanterns in all the colours of the rainbow, 20 metres of white or amber fairy lights and even an LED spotlight kit for $55.
If you want people to see where you live, you can also buy solar- powered street numbers.
"Now police, fire, ambulance can find you fast," the advert says. And even better: "Get your pizza delivered while it's still hot."
A box of numbers 0-9 will cost you $9.90. Tempting.
For hand-held light, there are solar LED torches worth $45.
"White LEDs have a rated life of 50,000 hours - a literal lifetime for flashlight," the ad says.
Still on outdoor living, there are a few solar-powered water pumps up for grabs.
"Run your outdoor aquarium, garden pond or water feature from the sun, eliminating the need for wiring or the safety aspects of electricity near water," one listing says. "Each comes with its own solar panel, cable and pump assembly ready to go and has some electronic smarts built in to regulate the delivery of power during cloudy periods."
This will set you back $70.
For people on the move, there are solar panel backpacks. These work in the same way the Solio gadgets work, except the panels are built into the pack.
They work by plugging the solar panel outlet cable into a battery charge pack, which stores the solar energy. When the battery pack has sufficient charge, it can then be used to charge cellphones, MP3 players and cameras.
"The 1700mAH battery pack is high quality lithium-ion and when fully charged, holds enough power to charge the average cellphone or MP3 player twice," the listing says.
Bidding is still under way for a number of these backpacks, but one did go for $120.
So, next time you're slapping on your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, think about other ways you can be sun smart.
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