Solar-powered sunshade keeps car cool in the sun

The Sunday Times reported that local engineer Wong Sin Hin has developed a device, which keeps a car's cooling system running while it is parked - using the very same energy that is heating it up in the first place.

Ecupse, pronounced 'eclipse', is a sunshade with solar panels on the side that face outwards. When the car is parked under the glare of the sun, these panels can absorb enough sunlight to power the car's air-conditioning system - though not at its maximum capacity. The sunshade connects to a car's power system and battery, and comes with an automatic toggle that switches it off when the ignition is turned on.

Preliminary tests have shown that the product is able to lower a car's temperature by about 10 degrees Celsius. "Even though Ecupse doesn't cool the car down to air-conditioner temperatures, it keeps it cool enough so that drivers won't idle too long in the car, which wastes fuel," said Mr. Wong.

Ecupse can also function as a charger for mobile devices. The sunshade comes with two mini-USB wires that can charge a variety of devices. Mr. Wong put the product up on crowdfunding website Kickstarter at the start of this month, hoping to raise enough funds to mass produce it next year. He has 10 backers so far, and expects to retail it at US$340 (S$430).