Wireless carrier AT&T is beefing up its solar charging stations, or Street Charge project, around New York in its effort to come up with an environmental-friendly solution to keep city dwellers connected, the company has announced on May 18.
The solar charging station initiative started last year when AT&T placed them around the state, providing mobile users a particular space outdoors for plugging in handsets for charging batteries.
"AT&T Street Charge grew out of a need for a sustainable power source during Superstorm Sandy and took on a life of its own when we deployed more than two dozen solar-powered units around the city last summer," AT&T New York State president Marissa Shorenstein says in a statement.
Shorenstein also says they are excited of the program expansion to other locations this year, which would serve anyone who may need to charge while out in public.
Even the state government is pleased to collaborate with AT&T to bring free charging stations to the public, noting the project's significance in these technological times.
"As the warm weather approaches and New Yorkers take to the outdoors, they will be able to utilize the AT&T charging stations along with public WiFi at many parks and beaches," says Robert Garafola, NYC Parks Deputy Commissioner for Management, Budget and Public Programs.
To make the Street Charge units resistant to ever-changing weather and endure higher usage, the company upgraded the units thereby ensuring city dwellers can experience the best service from the project. The units are said to work whether in sun or shade, daytime or nighttime. At daytime, the energy from the Sun is collected by three monocrystaline solar panels which allows for charging batteries, which is why the charging units can power up the batteries of devices even though the Sun doesn't shine at that time.
Free charging of mobile phones or tablets is available starting this week in one of the company's Street Charge stations in public places. In Manhattan, charging stations can be found at Central Park, Coenties Slip, Marcus Garvey Park, Old Slip, Pier 15, Mannahatta, East River Esplanade, South Street Seaport, Bowling Green Park, Union Square, Edgar Plaza and Governor's Island.
In Queens, stations are at Rockaway Beach and Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Bronx has charging station at Orchard Beach. Brooklyn stations are at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brighton Beach and Coney Island. Staten Island has stations at Midland Beach and South Beach.
Other local officials were happy and appreciative of the Street Charge project, and public response to the Street Charge project was largely positive, AT&T says.
