Solar-Powered Public Restroom concept

I do a fair amount of blogging about solar and other alternative energy sources in my homestate of Oregon.  So, imagine my interest when I read about the solar-powered pubic restrooms that will be installed in downtown Portland, Oregon!  These unique potties, dubbed the “Portland Loo“ will be installed starting in December 2008 in the Rose City.

Taxpayers may cringe at the cost, however cool they find the solar-powered public restrooms to be.  Each unit costs $140,000!  That is one expensive solar gadget.  I tried to find out just how many solar-powered public restrooms the City plans to install.  Considering the fact that there are about 10 public restrooms downtown Portland, the total cost for Portland Loo would be about $1.4 million down the flusher….

On the bright side, however, the developer of the Portland Loo is a City Commissioner, Randy Leonard.  He expects that if solar-powered public restrooms in Portland are a success, the design can be patented and actually make the City some money.  Leonard eventually wants to sell solar-powered public restrooms to other cities at the cost of about $50,000 each.

So, what is the thinking behind a solar-powered public restroom?

Randy Leonard - Creator of the Portland Loo

For starters, the solar-powered public restrooms will be less private, lowering security concerns.  People inside the restroom will be visible from the ankles down.  Solar panels on the top will provide 100% of the electricity required by each toilet enclosure, allowing them to be off-grid.  Electricity generated by solar panels will heat water and sewer pipes overnight to prevent water from freezing during the winter.  As described in a recent news release:

“The reduction in privacy reduces any desire to spend excessive time there to engage in illegal activities like drugs or prostitution. The compartments of the restrooms are designed in a fashion which allows damaged compartments to be replaced easily. The hand washing station is on the outside to discourage bathing and wasting water in the process. The restrooms will completely be off-grid and will have a hard connection to water and sewer with solar panels providing all the electricity needed by the restroom.”

Portland’s solar-powered public restrooms will be open 24 hours a day.  They will be cleaned twice daily.  The hope is that more people will use the Portland Loo rather than relieve themselves on the street.

I have to say that I am not 100% sold on the idea of the solar-powered public restrooms.  Of course, public restrooms kind of creep me out regardless.  What do you think?  A good investment by the City of Portland or a foolish “waste” of money?