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Solar
French skyscaper puts focus on renewable energy
22:42 October 19, 2008 PDT
Extensive use of solar and wind power plus a healthy dose of CO2 munching foliage will mark the slim, 318 meter tall Generali Tower when it becomes a fixture of the Parisian skyline from 2012. The design from Valode & Pistre was selected in an international competition and will form a key plank in the nine year plan to revamp the La Défense business district first announced by the Public Body for the development of La Défense (EPAD) in 2005. Read More
Largest Solar Deployment on a Corporate Campus in US now online
By Emily Clark
17:14 October 16, 2008 PDT
Two new solar power installations totaling 2.1 megawatts are now online at Applied Materials' corporate research facilities in Sunnyvale, California. The systems, which include a 950 kilowatt SunPower PowerGuard installation and a 1.2 megawatt SunPower Tracker installation atop an elevated parking canopy, represent the largest solar power deployment at a corporate facility in the US. Read More
Evergreen Solar introduces new String Ribbon panels
By Emily Clark
22:30 October 14, 2008 PDT
Evergreen Solar has introduced a new line of solar panels manufactured using its String Ribbon technique which offer several consumer friendly design innovations as well as being the most powerful products the company has ever produced. Read More
NuVu: Nissan's compelling urban EV concept
18:38 October 7, 2008 PDT
Nissan has produced some very interesting concept cars in recent years – the Denki Cube, Pivo, Mixim and Pivo 2 just to name a few. Shown in Paris for the first time last weekend, the NuVu is a compact electric car specifically designed to make traveling comfortable in a gridlocked city. The idea is one of a moving urban oasis, with its own tree inside which provides shade for the interior, and generates solar energy via its ‘leaves.’ By-wire steering, unique 2+1 seating, a fast-charging Li-Ion battery system and a rear-mounted electric motor delivering a range of 125 kms and top speed of 120 km/h are among the key features of the Concept which, while not destined for production in its current form, is intended to showcase how a Nissan EV might look and what technology it might contain beyond 2010 when the company begins rolling-out electric cars in Japan and the US. Read More
Google's vision for a greener planet
23:55 October 5, 2008 PDT
While the current Wall Street financial crisis has many on edge in regard to the short term future of the economy, Google has displayed some far-sighted corporate leadership in releasing its plan for how to reduce fossil fuel use by 2030. "Clean Energy 2030" is designed to stimulate debate on a range of energy consumption issues and includes proposals to slash vehicle oil consumption and CO2 emissions by 38% and reduce US reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity generation by 88% through a significant boost to solar, wind and geothermal output. Importantly, the report also focusses on the "win-win" potential for this aggressive attack on climate change, citing a figure of $1.0 trillion net savings over the 22-year life of the plan. Read More
Biosolar announces further improvements to solar backsheet process
By Emily Clark
19:02 October 1, 2008 PDT
A little under two months ago, Biosolar unveiled its BioBacksheet, an innovation which reduces the cost of solar cells by replacing traditional petroleum-based components with materials derived from renewable plant sources. The company has now announced details of improvements to the solar backsheet manufacturing technique that will help to further reduce the cost of production. Read More
LifeVillage modular housing solution for remote communities
By Emily Clark
22:10 September 28, 2008 PDT
Designed to address the problem of access to critical utilities in remote areas and developing nations that lack the necessary infrastructure, Envision Solar's modular self-contained LifeVillage integrates clean power and water treatment into buildings and communities, no matter what the location. Read More
Solar brick provides integrated outdoor lighting solution
By Emily Clark
19:27 September 22, 2008 PDT
Sunrise Solar Corp has unveiled a new building brick that integrates solar technologies into traditional construction materials. The Solar Light "Bric" is able to capture the sun’s rays and convert them to energy to power an embedded light without the need to connect to the electrical grid or flick a switch. Read More
Solar Stik portable solar generator
By Emily Clark
00:37 September 18, 2008 PDT
Portable solar panels are popping up at an increasing rate in campgrounds and caravan parks where they are an environmentally friendly and mercifully silent alternative to fuel burning generators. This example from Solar Stik offers rugged solution that can be used in conjunction with a wind generator and adapted for a variety of applications on land and water. Read More
BioSolar's renewable backsheet for solar panels
By Kyle Sherer
00:00 September 17, 2008 PDT
Currently, photovoltaic modules in solar panels employ petroleum-based plastics as a protective backing, increasing their overall carbon footprint and maintaining a reliance the fossil fuel economy. To free solar power from the uncertainties of oil prices, and to help make them a truly green power source, BioSolar has developed bio-based components that are ready to replace the backsheet, substrate and superstrate components of solar panels. The materials have a lifespan of 20-25 years, and, most importantly, they are 25% cheaper to manufacture than the plastic alternative. Read More
Sollight's portable and environmentally friendly lighting systems
By Jude Garvey
22:33 September 14, 2008 PDT
Sollight's LightCap and LightShip solar-powered lights are designed for camping, boating holidays or to use around the home. The LightCap fits on to a standard water bottle and turns it into a portable lantern whilst the LightShip can be conveniently attached just about anywhere for charging during the day and becomes a portable flashlight at night. Both products are perfect in an emergency situation, are weather-proof and importantly, environmentally friendly. Read More
Aquarius: intelligent automated sprinkler design
By Emily Clark
18:02 September 10, 2008 PDT
Looking more like an alien spacecraft than a sprinkler, Aquarius is an irrigation control system designed by Aydin Oztoprak and Ozgur Ruhi Ulvan. Solar powered and remote managed, Aquarius automatically adjusts its water flow depending on the soil, crop and weather conditions, making it one very intelligent piece of eco-friendly water design. Read More
Sharp's solar LED street lights incorporate seismic detection
17:29 September 9, 2008 PDT
The argument for switching to solar-powered street lighting seems very clear cut: they run on sunlight, emit no CO2 emissions, provide an off-the grid source of lighting during in an emergency situation and use efficient LED-based light which tends not to attract insects. Sharp Corporation has announced plans to roll-out two new models of solar-powered LED street lights in the Japanese market and these have the added bonus of in-built Seismic Motion Sensors which detect earthquakes of five or greater on the Japanese seismic scale and respond by switching to full illumination for two nights. Read More
Solar trees take root at the University of California
By Emily Clark
23:24 September 8, 2008 PDT
The University of California in San Diego (UCSD) is undertaking an unusual forestry project on the roof of two of its parking garages. The “Solar Trees” being constructed on the roofs will comprise steel components fitted with a canopy of Kyocera photovoltaic modules to provide solar energy for the university. Read More
US Airways Center announces solar installation
By Emily Clark
23:25 September 7, 2008 PDT
The US Airways Center in Arizona, home to NBA team the Phoenix Suns, will soon be going green with the announcement of a new solar power project. The system is expected to be operational in 2009 and will utilize 1,125 Suntech panels, cover approximately 18,000 square feet and produce 331,233 kilowatt-hours of clean energy each year. Read More
Greencore's solar powered air conditioner
By Emily Clark
07:52 August 25, 2008 PDT
It's an idea that makes perfect sense - when it's hot, the sun is out, so why not utilize that energy to help cool down. Californian based Greencore has developed a hybrid solar-powered air conditioning system for both fixed and mobile applications which can cool a room up to 600 square feet in size using a single 170 watt solar panel, or switch to using power from the grid when necessary. Read More
QinetiQ's Zephyr breaks world record for longest unmanned flight
By Mike Hanlon
07:14 August 25, 2008 PDT
Qinetiq’s Zephyr solar powered high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has flown a world-beating three and a half day flight at the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The solar powered plane flew for 82 hours 37 minutes, exceeding the current official world record for unmanned flight which stands at 30 hours 24 minutes set by Global Hawk in 2001 and Zephyr's previous longest flight of 54 hours achieved last year. Read More
Solar powered tie charges your mobile phone
By Emily Clark
04:25 August 21, 2008 PDT
It might not be the most chic of clothing items, but form takes a back-seat to function with this solar powered necktie. Designed to charge a mobile phone, the concept tie was created by researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) whilst experimenting with uses for photovoltaic (PV) textiles to create smart garments. Read More
Clinton Foundation considers 5,000MW solar station in India
By Emily Clark
21:15 August 13, 2008 PDT
August 14, 2008 According to Treehugger and The Business Standard, the US-based Clinton Foundation is currently in talks with the Indian government to undertake the world’s largest single location solar project. Costing around US$475 million and with an estimated output of 5,000MW (5 gigawatts), the Gujurat-based “Integrated Solar City” would rival even the biggest coal-fired power stations. Read More
Solar energy system goes to market
By Emily Clark
13:22 August 2, 2008 PDT
SolarCraft has completed a 35.4 kilowatt solar energy system at the new Hamilton Marketplace Complex in Novato, California. The system will enable the new shopping center to generate enough clean electricity to spare the air nearly 31 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually, equivalent to the air filtering of 6.2 acres of trees. Read More
Windowpanes that generate solar power, charge USB devices
By Darren Quick
04:47 July 28, 2008 PDT
July 28, 2008 While rooftop solar panels have understandably been the main focus for household solar energy breakthroughs, Tokyo-based Nihon Telecommunication System Inc. has given householders another option to do their bit to help the planet by developing windowpanes with built-in photovoltaic cells. Read More
geos zero energy residential community launches in Colorado
By Emily Clark
11:05 July 18, 2008 PDT
Colorado will be home to the largest net-zero energy, master-planned community in the US after plans were announced for 250 residences to be built. Construction of the Geos Neighborhood will begin this fall and, once complete, will generate enough renewable energy to offset 100% of the annual energy needs of the entire community. Read More
Solar Collector: interactive modern art with an eco twist
By Emily Clark
22:31 June 29, 2008 PDT
Gorbet Design has created a solar installation that cleverly combines modern art with renewable energy technology. The Solar Collector's 12 cylindrical shafts rise up from a grassy hilltop at the Waterloo Regional Operations Centre in Cambridge, Canada. Read More
Clear Skies Solar to build 8MW Photovoltaic Farm
By Emily Clark
23:03 June 10, 2008 PDT
In yet another example of California's leading role in solar-power, Clear Skies Solar has announced plans to build an 8MW solar farm in Cantil. The project will encompass 34 acres of land and cost around US$44 million. Read More
The Frisian Solar Challenge for boats
By Mike Hanlon
16:53 June 10, 2008 PDT
Human beings respond well when challenged and the bolder the challenge, the greater the result. The Frisian Solar Challenge for boats is proof of this and its second running later this month portends a new age – one of silent, non-intrusive and respectful water-based leisure and ultimately, a plethora of distributed power generation solutions. The inaugural 2006 Challenge turned the Dutch province into a hotbed of commercial sustainable energy development and the week-long solar-boat tour of the region has developed a most intriguing man versus machine competition. From June 22 to June 28, Friesland will be home to the world’s largest race of solar vessels: The Frisian Solar Challenge. The race runs along the 220-kilometres-long route of the Frisian Eleven Cities route already famous as the birthplace of competitive skating and the pictured space-age boat is the current favourite for the race with its expected 20 km/h top speed. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
