04Feb2010 |
Catch the Sun in a Jar |
The Sun Jar (designed by Tobias Wong) catches the sun during the day via solar panels in its lid to provide power for light into the night. Instructable has a guide to making your own. It's built into a Mason Jar which is water proof so it can be left outside. |
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15Dec2009 |
Self Cleaning Solar Panels Possible |
Researchers at the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology at Tel Aviv University have published in Nature Nanotechnology a paper describing a new way to way to control the atoms and molecules of peptides so that they grow to resemble small forests of grass. These "peptide forests" repel dust and water - a perfect self-cleaning coating for windows or solar panels which, when dirty, become far less efficient. More coverage here. This stuff is important, see Google's recent blog about how clean solar panels are more efficient. |
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01Dec2009 |
Solar Powered Chocolate |
Mars and PSEG have completed work on a project called the Solar Garden in New Jersey. Solar energy from the garden will provide about 20% of the chocolate factory's peak power. So now we can eat our chocolate and save the planet too. Yum! |
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30Nov2009 |
Solar Mobile Charger |
Solio make a range of solar mobile device chargers like the one above. Not only does it look very cool it is also practical. Great Christmas present. Now, if only a laptop was available with a solar panel on it's lid... |
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25Nov2009 |
Solar Powered Plane |
Solar Impulse is a project to build a solar powered plane that can fly around the world. This is, of course, very challenging but made even more so due to night flights. During the daylight hours the solar panels must make enough energy to power the flight and also charge the batteries to be used during night time. Wow. Good luck! YouTube video embedded below of the first runway test. |
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16Nov2009 |
Shanghai Expo Sun Valley |
The "Expo Axis" is a 1km long multi-level boulevard connecting the main areas of the Shanghai Expo. It features six huge cone shaped "Sun Valleys" which collect sun light for the lower levels and rain water for re-cycling. It looks amazing when it is lit up at night and is visible from the elevated road that runs by the expo. More pics on the People's Daily. |
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09Nov2009 |
FLAP Solar Bag |
Timbuk2 worked with Pop!Tech and The Portable Light Project to create a solar powered LED light that’s disguised as a messenger bag. The bag/light is aimed at places where electricity may be scarce or non-exsistent. It looks great. See also Solar Lantern and Solar Accessories A demo video from Vimeo is embedded below. |
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02Nov2009 |
Solar iPod Chargers |
Regen have announced two solar powered iPod products. The ReNu (smaller one) will charge your iPod and the Reverb (the big one) will act as a speaker system too. They look very cool. ipod + solar = ipodular ? the lightness of ipoding ? |
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29Oct2009 |
Shanghai Expo's Solar Powered Theme Pavilion |
Shanghai Expo is shaping up to the solar powered expo. Shanghai Daily has an article about the Theme Pavilion which has the World's largest rooftop solar energy system. Solar power will also be used at many other sites throughout the expo. See also the Corporate Pavilion and the UK Pavilion |
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