OSAKA, Japan--()--Panasonic Corporation has launched "ECLIPSE LIVE FROM FUJIYAMA by SOLAR POWER" and will broadcast the annular solar eclipse on May 20, 2012 (Pacific Standard Time/PST) live to the world from the summit of Mt. Fuji, an important symbol of nature in Japan, using only green power.
This project seeks to highlight to the world Panasonic's devotion to its "Energy Solution" business and the dynamic technologies and products behind it. All electricity required for the devices used for broadcasting, such as video cameras, filming equipment, and computers, will be drawn from "HIT® Solar Cells," with *industry-leading power output, and be supplied through rechargeable batteries made by Panasonic.
On the day of the eclipse, Mt. Fuji will be ideally located within the "central eclipse path" that allows for optimum viewing, and the view is especially spectacular in the clear air of the mountain peak. However, the summit of Mt. Fuji in May is covered in snow with freezing temperatures, and there is no electricity available for daily activities. Therefore, the project staff will charge up portable power supplies for domestic use with power generated from the HIT® solar cells and carry them up the frozen face of the mountain.
Along with the staff's work to overcome such an inhospitable environment, the project will broadcast live the annular eclipse to the world from the closest point to the sun in Japan.
The project's progress will be documented on a special website and Facebook page to be launched on April 17 (April 18 JST) until May 20 (May 21 JST), the day of the annular solar eclipse. We plan to report on the filming equipment, introduce the staff members, and conduct trial tests in advance of the eclipse. We are looking forward to bring the mystical phenomenon of the annular eclipse to as wide a global audience as possible.
*The predicted annual power generation capacity per 1KW of the HIT210 solar power series: 1.169kWh/kW (for Osaka City), for February 2012. In the residential solar power system industry, based on the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association's standard "Predicted annual power generation calculation". As researched by our company.
"ECLIPSE LIVE FROM FUJIYAMA by SOLAR POWER" Details
[Schedule] *time/dates are in Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Annular eclipse live broadcast (planned): 3:30pm on May 20, 2012 (7:30am on May 21, Japan Standard Time/JST)
[Timeline of Events]
1) April 17~ (April 18 JST)
The special promotional website and Facebook page will be launched, with a project introduction movie to be shown. The project progress report including staff introductions and live-casting trials will be posted on the website and Facebook page as well.
2) May 16 (May 17 JST)
The base camp will be set up at the halfway point on Mt. Fuji, power will be generated, and the batteries will be charged.
3) May 19 (Day before eclipse/May 20 JST)
The attack team will climb from Mt. Fuji's half-way point to the summit.
(The ascent will be broadcasted live)
4) May 20 (Day of the total eclipse/May 21 JST)
All equipment will be connected to the batteries at the summit and the eclipse will be broadcasted live.
5) After the eclipse
A special movie documenting the above timeline will be made available on the promotional website.
[Promotional Website] (Live Broadcast Site)
http://panasonic.net/eclipselive
[Promotion Video] http://youtu.be/gdOcs_ROEm4
Like Us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PanasonicEclipseLive
Follow Us on Twitter : http://twitter.com/FujiyamaEclipse
< Reference >
Annular Solar Eclipse
On May 20 (May 21 JST), the annular solar eclipse can be viewed in Japan within the "central eclipse path" that stretches from Southern Kyushu to the Kanto Region. This is a very rare phenomenon, and the last time such an eclipse was visible from land in Japan was on September 23, 1987 from Okinawa Island.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50243070&lang=en
