Practical Experiences With the PV Powered Computer Mouse "Sole-Mio"
Nils H. Reich, Boelie Elzen, M.P. Netten, Wilfried G.J.H.M. van Sark, Erik A. Alsema, Veefkind, M., S. Silvester · Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) · 2008
The research objective of the SYN-Energy project is to improve the understanding of solar-powered electrical devices. One of the activities has been the design and technical realization of a PV powered wireless computer mouse. In total, 15 “Sole Mio” PV powered mice have been manufactured. In this paper, we describe how test-users experienced working with the “Sole Mio” prototypes and discuss the rather bad energetic performances of some of the prototypes. Amongst these technical aspects, particularly user expectations and satisfaction with the Sole Mio concept are presented, and possible improvements of the design are evaluated. Finally, an attempt is made to extend the lessons learned for the specific “Sole Mio” case to a more general level of the design and testing of solar-powered consumer products. Here, it is found that future user related research should focus on quantitative investigations rather than qualitative evaluations: in how far and to what extent users are willing to expose device integrated PV (DIPV) devices to solar radiation pro-actively.