WIRELESS NETWORKING solution vendor Meraki has created a solar-powered Wi-Fi kit that will allow companies to build entirely meshed, self-sufficient Wi-Fi networks.
Duly named Meraki Solar, the solar panel plus Wi-Fi node is supposed to make setting up wireless networks doubly wireless, by snipping the power cable too. That will also cut down the cost of running power cables all over the place to plug in your wireless access-point / repeater.
The device itself is intended to be used as a meshed network device and will allow businesses to setup full wireless coverage in hard-to-get places by sticking the antenna and panel module on the end of a pole or on the roof of a building. Once installed, you can remote control the entire operation through Meraki Dashboard, says the company, so you needn't climb on roofs or up lighting poles to configure the kit.
This is not, however, a product for developing countries, although clearly they have more sunlight hours than your average skyscraper in London or New York: the package costs from $848 - without solar panel - to $1497.
If you're in a sunny place you can get away with Meraki's 20W panel, while most of the US and Europe will require the 40W panel to operate. In the UK you'll require your own high-grade solar panel, as it needs to be at least a 60W panel. Most of Great Britain has this limited coverage, but Meraki will have to create a whiskey-powered unit for Scotland.
Let's put it this way. Wi-Fi is a fickle beast as it is, but now it'll stop running altogether if the sun don't shine. Marvelous.
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