Meraki develops solar WiFi

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 4 (UPI) -- California-based Meraki Networks has developed a solar-powered WiFi technology.

Meraki Networks, pioneer of the first consumer wireless mesh Internet network designed to "unwire the world," announced Monday the new Meraki Outdoor repeater and the Meraki Solar accessory that together can cover entire neighborhoods with WiFi access.

Meraki Outdoor can send a signal up to 700 feet. Paired with Meraki's existing indoor Mini, the Meraki Outdoor repeater can power access for dozens of households sharing one high-speed connection. Meraki Outdoor can be installed on a wall or pole outside of a house.

Adding the Meraki Solar accessory kit will allow the repeater to broadcast a signal without being connected to any electrical source, making it an ideal solution for any community, even emerging markets where electricity is scant or unreliable. Once connected, Meraki Solar's power usage can be distributed throughout the day and managed by the Meraki Dashboard service ensuring the repeater is powered during peak usage times.

The Meraki Dashboard is a Web-hosted management tool designed to make monitoring, configuring and monetizing a Meraki Network easy and is included with all Meraki products for no additional charge. The solar kit includes a solar panel, battery pack and an outdoor Ethernet cable.

"To change the economics of WiFi access across the globe, there's got to be a simple, efficient and inexpensive method for sending the signal long distances outdoors," said Sanjit Biswas, chief executive officer and a co-founder of Meraki. "The Meraki Solar and Meraki Outdoor will play an important role in our efforts to bring the next billion people online in the coming years."