Solar-powered Wi-Fi comes to Harvard Square

Lincoln Spector — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:14:18 -0500

The Harvard Square Business Association extended its public Wi-Fi system last week, without extending its electric bill. Harvard Square, the bustling commercial district just outside the gates of Harvard University, became the first customer of Meraki Solar's new solar-powered mesh repeaters.

Whether this is a wise economic move as well as a socially responsible one remains to be seen. Meraki's solar repeaters range in price from $848 to $1,497. By comparison, Meraki's non-solar repeaters cost only $199. The Harvard Square network has 26 of the cheaper repeaters as well as three solar ones.

While the conventional repeaters are cheaper to buy, they're not necessarily cheaper to install. They need access to the power grid, which isn't always readily available on rooftops and other outdoor locations where such a device will do the most good. Since the solar repeaters don't require AC power, they can be placed anywhere where they are likely to receive sunlight.

Each solar repeater comes with a solar panel and a rechargeable battery. The panel charges the battery during the day, and the battery continues to power the repeater and keep the network going at night.