[dblshot]

A lot of the Coast Guard’s lighted buoys charge their batteries off solar panels all day for night use. They work great but the dang sea gulls reduce the cells efficiency over time.

[trebb]

A lot of the Coast Guard’s lighted buoys charge their batteries off solar panels all day for night use. They work great but the dang sea gulls reduce the cells efficiency over time.

I guess I was too narrow with the watches/calculators reference. I also notice a number of pedestrian/traffic signs that juice up in the sun so they can flash at night - I wonder what the cost is when they add the solar panel and circuitry vs just leaving a non-flashing sign. The niche of utility is there, but it's not a do-all as the greenies try to persuade us it can be - maybe someday.