For all the benefits solar panels afford their owners, one thing they don’t do incredibly well is sit inconspicuously atop the roof of a home. In response, a small Italian company named Dyaqua has developed what it is calling Invisible Solar panels, and recently launched a funding campaign via Indiegogo. While not actually invisible, Dyaqua’s panels blend in so efficiently as a common construction material — think wood, concrete, slate, terracotta, or stone — they are essentially hidden from the naked eye.
Designed to help resemble a classic style of architecture, the panels are not only innovative but help potential new consumers of solar avoid slapping heaps of cumbersome panels on their residence. Made from non-toxic, recyclable materials, Dyaqua’s invention is so versatile they can be installed on a roof, as accents in a front yard, built into a breezeway, or installed as siding. Each piece’s top layer appears opaque to onlookers, yet solar rays still have the ability to seep through to the cleverly disguised photovoltaic cells underneath.
In 2009, a man by the name of Giovanni Quagliato set out to develop a revolutionary new solar panel product, leaning heavily on his extensive plastics and electrotechnology background. His initial idea was to manufacture a product capable of fitting on historic buildings located throughout Italy’s countryside. Not quite the typical recipient of modern day solar panels, Quagliato wanted to create something which did not alter a building’s natural appearance.
Aside from their aesthetic advantage, the company also says each of its unique panels boast extreme protection against impact or compression — hence the reason why it encourages people to install these where someone may walk each day. Save for someone dropping, say, a bowling ball on them, the panels should continue to function properly if stepped, driven, or jumped on.
However, like most great things, there is a catch. Despite how clever it is an innovation, Dyaqua’s panels are not quite as efficient as a standard solar array to the tune of just 25 percent as much energy production. Granted, these have the ability to be installed just about anywhere on a home — potentially dramatically increasing the production space — but a quarter of the return of a typical panel is certainly a large gap in efficiency.
As of publication, the campaign has yet to find any backers on Indiegogo though it is worth point out, Dyaqua recently launched the page. For around $100, it offers a wood, slate shingle, concrete brick, stone, or roof tile sample panel.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.