We love the concept designs over at Yanko, from Yo-Yo Power to two wheeled cars for China. But this one might be our new favorite.
Heading to the beach? Why not waste all that sunlight? And what if your boombox runs out of batteries? That's where the Sun~Brella comes in. It's just like any normal beach umbrella except it's coated with solar panels and has an electrical outlet on the stem. And, for those super-hot days, it's even got a built in fan just under the panels.
Screw it into the ground on a sunny day and you'll collect enough energy to power your iPod, your eBook, and keep your beers cool. Damn, there's nothing wrong with that. There's a more complete picture after the jump.
Via Yanko Design
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Comments (13)
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written by Ryan, April 27, 2007
I would sooo buy one of these if they even got to a semi-reasonable price. I think the concept is amazing 
It's truly awe-inspiring what the great minds of today can come up with. It's so simple, yet so... Perfect.
It's truly awe-inspiring what the great minds of today can come up with. It's so simple, yet so... Perfect.
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written by julie, April 27, 2007
do you have any of these for testing? i live on maui, and this would make days at the beach oh sooo cool. i'd love to try it out
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written by MJ, April 28, 2007
Just googled for a beach brollie to buy - if this was for sale...I'd have one!! You making these yet or is it 100% concept?
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written by Andy Simonds, May 01, 2007
I think the concept is great, but the picture sort of ignores the basic concept that most days on most beaches across the world are windy. A flat surface like that will get launched by even a 10-15 mph wind. not to mention the fact that it will likely be more top heavy than a normal umbrella. The only design I would believe is a very thin and flexible solar fabric across a typical concave unbrella.
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written by Hun Boon, May 11, 2007
I surfed over to yanko and that article is dated 28 Oct 2005! And here we are discussing it in 2007.. 
Unfortunately, like most cool ideas, this just isn't practical.
And IIRC, Sunbrella is a registered trademark of an outdoor fabric company.
Unfortunately, like most cool ideas, this just isn't practical.
And IIRC, Sunbrella is a registered trademark of an outdoor fabric company.
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written by Mauro Baldassarre, May 16, 2007
Hello everybody,
I think that the idea could be developed considering that this product is not already realised. It could be the opportunity to begin a sort of buisness....what do you think!!!
It would be usefull to formalise defined project propose it to the some company in order to build a prototype...why not...
I'have not seen nothing of this..in the beach, open swimming pool, resort etc. etc.
Ciao
I think that the idea could be developed considering that this product is not already realised. It could be the opportunity to begin a sort of buisness....what do you think!!!
It would be usefull to formalise defined project propose it to the some company in order to build a prototype...why not...
I'have not seen nothing of this..in the beach, open swimming pool, resort etc. etc.
Ciao
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written by Jonathan, August 25, 2007
the simple thought of this sends chills down my spine as the door opens more and more on the actual raw power of the sun...i have been thinking of this product for years and have some intersting ideas to add to the table and possible start-up funds to finish a working prototyoe, i have experimented with solar energy alot and would love to get with someone that has a passion for making this work like i do
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written by Jule, December 09, 2008
I say get this to third world countries, Haiti, Africa ... they need power and the sun there is relentless!! Donate to some of the organizations (like Mercy and Sharing), get good PR and be altruistic at the same time.
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written by Domenic, February 19, 2009
This product is already patented, manufactured and is being sold. www.thesolarsolace.com The company is Solar Solace LLC and the inventor/CEO is Arian Reyes. The umbrella, or Sun-brella, is like a traditional umbrella but has solar panels on it.
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written by Ulises Ledesama, March 30, 2009
I had that idea but, I just found today that you now exist that you are making it. I could be your distribuitor... I am guadalajara, Jalisco .Here are plenty of virgin beaches.. and Puerto Vallarta and others... contact me because I am willing to invent new stuff something similar that your are doing...
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written by lothair hamann, October 16, 2009
I like the look of the umbrella but there are a number of factors making this impractical. It doesnt show how it folds away for one thing otherwise the pictures not good good enough to give this away. I've been working on solutions for this very problem actually and its like the guy said its going to be the flexible technology that does this best. Really we are looking up to 3-5 years for the technology to be accessible. I'm still devoting time to this but really its a bit of a waiting game with the new nano technology imitating organic structures that's going to be the way forward for ultralite flexible panels that can be tailored...thats what we need!!
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written by compact fluorescent light, November 16, 2009
I think the concept is great, this is a good umbrella
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