Sunplant

by Toshiyuki Kita
with Sanyo

Concept
Climate abnormality, desertification, increase in the sea water level: the Earth seems to be asking for help. However, a few simple and immediate choices may introduce in our life the so-called “natural energy”, that can change into electricity and heat without producing highly toxic and irritant substances like carbon bioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOX) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Sunplant is an installation symbolizing the project of a clean and attainable future: a tree, that “accumulates solar energy” and gives it to use through the eneloop, a battery that can be recharged a thousand times and reused for all electronic products of everyday use. Based on the innovative concept of repetitive use, Sunplant is formed by solar panels and eneloop batteries.

Project
Sunplant is used to change solar energy and store it in batteries. These special batteries can be used to operate several electronic appliances of everyday use. One can take energy everywhere and use it anytime with this innovative product.
To recharge Sunplant, the Solar Cell (HIT Cell) is available, a new kind of hybrid panel patented by Sanyo, that makes use of crystal silicone and a thin film of amorphous silicone. Sunplant makes use of the rechargeable nickel- hydride eneloop battery, that can be recharged a thousand times and used continuously.

Sanyo
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. is a global leader in providing solutions for the Environment, Energy and Lifestyle whose headquarters is located in Osaka, Japan. The word “Sanyo” means “three oceans” – the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans – and the name is entirely appropriate for a truly global organization. It sells and markets a wide range of products including digital projectors, digital still and movie cameras, air conditioning units, solar energy equipment, batteries and biomedical equipment.
Based on the brand vision of “Think Gaia”, Sanyo is aiming to become a leading provider of Environment- and Energy-related products and a company that delights Life and the Earth. “Gaia” is a term that encompasses the Blue Planet, “Earth”, and the infinite varieties of “life” that live and breathe on it. It describes the world as a single living organism, where all life and nature co-exist interdependently.
To carry out this vision, Sanyo pledges to respond by developing only products that are absolutely essential to life and the Earth, boasting world-class technology for solar power generation systems and rechargeable batteries. The technologies that Sanyo has developed over the years include the reusable and rechargeable battery Eneloop, the Aqua washer/dryer that realizes a large reduction in water usage, and the Enegreen energy saving refrigeration system. That’s how Sanyo contributes to society through its products.