Solar Powered Parking Meters

Corpus Christi is trying solar-powered, credit-card accepting parking meters.

Crews on Tuesday were scheduled to install the first of about 30 so-called smart meters.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports the test run, for three months, will help determine whether to replace the roughly 900 meters citywide.

City parking director Mark Denson says some of the current meters are more than 20 years old.

Denson says credit card meters used in other parts of the country led to fewer tickets being written for violations, but more money taken in. Denton says people tend to charge more money to their card to be sure their parking meters don't expire.


As cool as solar parking meters are (that take credit cards) -- check out this article on smart parking meters that are being installed in San Francisco - and be sure to watch the video.

Now combine - solar parking meters with smart metering + electric cars ... and you can imagine what it will be like to drive and park in the not too distant future