So what exactly is ‘Solar Cogeneration Power’? That is probably something that we should clear out first and foremost before getting in to the meat of the matter. It is quite simple actually and it just means that solar power will help power the engine to a partial extent. Why are we so bothered about that one little term when we have such a huge story unfolding before us? Simply because it very cleverly hides the fact that this Solar Powered Cargo ship will probably be powered by solar energy to a very little extent. I would be surprised if it was even 10% of the total power required to power a cargo ship.

Japan’s biggest shipping line Nippon Yusen KK and Nippon Oil Corp said that solar panels capable of generating 40 kilowatts of electricity each would be placed on top of a 60,000-tonne car carrier to be used by Toyota Motor Corporation. The ship system is expected to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1 to 2%, or about 20 tonnes per year. While the news is indeed great, using wind and wave energy would probably be more viable along with solar power. Any amounts of energy saving is indeed good, but why stay content for so little when it can be a lot better?

The energy provided by the solar panels would probably amount to 5% of the total power that the ship needs and both salinity and vibrations of the ship will further hamper their efficiency. On the wide blue oceans, it just makes more sense to tap in to the unabated wind and the untamed waves!

Via Nextenergynews

We have been covering products and practices depicting ways to capture the solar energy, thereby utilizing it in the best way possible. And honoring the latest pro-active nature of the drive aimed at powering the city with solar freeways is another eco-friendly solution coming from the house of “Going Solar.” I would invite your argument on possibilities to power cities, which currently is facing the problem of massive terra firma necessary to access the traditional inventions. They say photovoltaic panels are horizontal and extensive, posing a serious loss of wide space. Now Australian renewable energy vendor “Going Solar” has envisaged a clever policy that instills built-up shipment systems with energy producing potential, erecting solar panels on highway as sound blockades!

Positioned in Australia, Calder Interchange is witnessed as the first solar sound-barrier highway installation by Going Solar. The solar sound fence consists of 500 meters of photovoltaic panels that features project’s power output after being attached to a public display. Respecting its location near suburban region, each colossal solar panel offers much desired soundproofing to the residence nearby. The unique feature of the project can be counted as the fact that energy doesn’t have to travel far-off to reach its target as it is already engulfed with domiciles.

Anticipated to produce 18.7 megawatts per year, the intelligent minds behind it are hopeful to generate the cost-spent within 15 years. If you still have doubts regarding the functionality or efficiency of the project then here I have a confirmation that is suffice to erase all: The project has enabled Going Solar gab the ATRAA’s award for best grid-connected system.

Via ResourceSmart

That day is not far-off when nations all over the world would be exploiting renewable solar energy for their every single trade. Bearing pros of this naturally on hand solar resource in psyche one step ahead has been forwarded in this green area by a Miami’s based media company recognized as Fuel Outdoor based in Miami, LLC.

This green media company is actually setting up to mount specifically designed solar panels on 600 bus shelters existing in Miami. This perfectly environmental and energy saving mission would salt away around two tons of detrimental carbon dioxide secretions along with supplying power to the advertisement panels found on bus sheds.

Although it looks as if an unruffled project yet the city authorities need to put constraints and check around these solar powered bus shelters keeping in view the security and safekeeping of these valued solar boards. I just hope that Miami’s people may soon work out the line of attack to scuffle against this setback so that the worth of this concept could be extended globally.

Via Ecolocalizer

Sited around 1350 kilometers outlying from the capital city of Argentina, Las Lomitas is a prefecture cuddling nearly 110Â families and people out there are earning their living mainly by raising pumpkins, carrots and honey preserving. Las Lomitas is such an out-of-the-way region that even electricity is not accessible to existing populace and moreover they are not even aware of the basic amenities available outside.

As inhabitants there are totally oblivious of their elemental rights and duties, a body named Mocase looking after the needs of distant residents has put up an exclusive radio station for communicating their crucial requirements. An exhilarating fact about this radio set up is that this happens to be Argentina’s first ever solar powered radio station which would be in continuous operation for at least five days till its battery gets discharged. Although the initial setup for this green step bears out to be a costly deal but in the long run it would prove profitable in view of its minimal running cost.

Undoubtedly, setting up a radio station which is wholly run by renewable solar energy in far-flung areas of Argentina is a substantial march towards the contemporary green world.

Via Ecowordly

Ever heard of cooling solutions driven by the heat of the Sun? This might just be a reality for the rural folk living in large number of Indian villages. Promethean Power- a MIT spin-off is researching over the possibilities of making use of thermoelectronic technology for developing a stationary, solar-powered refrigerator. The initiative is taken keeping in mind the needs of villagers in rural India many of whom face the problem of storing diary products and vaccines due to lack of electricity and refrigerating solutions. This prototype will be showcased at the upcoming Emerging Technologies conference to be held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The prototype’s design includes a small-sized array of solar panels on the roof and thermoelectric modules + electric compononents inside the small building.Â

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Thermoelectric modules are semiconducting materials used to convert electricity (from the solar panels) into currents of cold air.These are essential placed in between ceramic tiles and are already used in market in certain applications that consume low-energy like cooling car seats or computer chips. Now, technicians at Promethean Power want to test these modules for renewable energy sources like solar power.Â
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Besides working on the efficiency of this technology Promethean Power is also considering the cost of its solar-powered refrigerator- a concept which if successful will result in its mass production for rural consumption. The cost is definitely going to be a feature which will determine the successful implementation of such a solar-cum-thermoelectronic technological device in a developing nation like India and other TWCs (third world countries). Will it eventually turn out to be a boon for perishable items in such places where constant electric supply is a big concern, remains to be seen!
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Via: Ecogeek

Ever wondered if your handbag could carry more than it usually does? Do you have to choose between your cell phone charger and lip-gloss to have space in your bag? You are listening to you favourite song during a road block and your i-pod conchs off…and you don’t know what to do?
Well, for all those who have faced this and other power issues, there’s a good news. A handbag that can charge your electric gadgets while on move. Don’t believe me?

Solar bags are not a new but so far have proved to be an expensive option. From $1500 for a briefcase, to $300-$400 for a carry-on style bag, to $250 for a beach bag. All of which are fairly ugly. They grasp desperately onto some appeal factor by looking like anything you can pick up at a designer store, but end up utterly unspectacular except for the sore-thumb solar cells on the sides. Luckily, women - or men exceedingly comfortable with their sexuality - will be able to have their style and solar power too.
Cost competitive for other bags we’ve seen (though still pretty pricy), is the new Solarjo Power Purse. Coming in at $285, it’s about what someone with extra cash would spend on a fancy purse. And this one looks like something you might find at a nicer department store – in fact, it looks really stylish. The handbag, which is the brainchild of mechanical engineering student Joe Hynek, has already been well-received by eco-conscious fashion websites.

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The purse is covered in solar cells that can soak up enough sun in two hours to charge a cell phone battery. The PV cells are laminated for protection from scratches, and two batteries held in the lining of the purse hold a full charge that can last for up to a month. A USB port inside the purse can be used for charging most any small device, from phones to cameras, palm pilots to iPods. Basically, someone can just plop it on a window sill at work or some sunny location, wait for a charge, and plug in their doo-dads, all with the purse functioning exactly as a purse should – no obtrusive wires or obnoxiously geeky give-aways.

It’ll be available by the end of 2008 for people who want to flash their attachment to the green movement with something that won’t clash with their outfit. It definitely has the potential to get picked up by some hip celebrity and then they’ll go flying off shelves.

Considering it’ll cost no more than a designer bag already costs, it looks great, and you’ll get free solar power, I think this is a pretty big breakthrough in solar power fashion. Simply plug in your mobile phone, camera or iPod - and begin praying the sun will come out.

Via DailyMail

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Green rules the roost these days when it comes to colors, technology, fashion, lifestyle etc. Then why should cellphones be trailing behind in the green bandwagon? Electronics giant Siemens has roped in Formwelt Industrial Designs to come up with some innovative green models. The creative inputs of Hans-Henning Brabänder were also pooled in to produce the “Gigaset Eco Visions” “Leaf” and “Solar”. Looking elegant and eco-chick, these ultra-light models are carved out of 100% recyclable materials viz. liquid wood and eco-plastic. Formwelt Studio has kept in mind the eco-friendly quotient of each cellphone thus taking care of the components and materials (organic of course!), energy consumption, natural energy source for handsets (which comes from sunlight) and emissions (during production processes and post production as well). All in all, the designer firm has taken care that the two phones be designer yet recyclable.
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Features of both the designs:
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LEAF phone - reminds you of a lovely young leaf in spring! An invisible OLED display is present. Embedded in a translucent case, it provides the cell phone an unparallel finishing meant for futuristic products. Sensational haptics and substantial convenience are provided by eco plastics used in the frame.
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SOLAR phone – cool concept, uses all-over solar cells on the surface. Absorbs energy directly from the sun thus being self-sustainable! Besides eco-plastics, the frame is made up of glass and metal as well. The design also combines OLED touchpad technology to give user a function-depending key indication on the cell phone’s display.

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Million dollar question is – When are these hitting the market? I am sure Siemens will come up with an equally interesting eco-friendly ad campaign for these brilliantly green phones!
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Via: yankodesign

The fun of trekking fades away when right on the destination you want to capture a splendid view and the battery of your camera runs out. The safe bet is to travel with a solar charger (of course there are easily available these days!). The latest addition in the market is the Power Monkey Explorer Solar Charger. This gadget is accompanied by a Solar Slave solar panel. With these two at your side, you don’t have to worry any more about low batteries for you are equipped with anytime, anywhere solar re-charging! The water-resistant Solar Slave can juice up your iPod/ digicam etc. in a matter of few minutes. It stores the Helios power and directs it to the Power Monkey Explorer’s Battery.

This smart solar charging device works well with smartphones, mobile phones, PSPs and PDAs as well! A quick re-cap of all of its features:Â Â

The Solar Slave panels can be used to recharge the Monkey if you’re running low on juice.
The kit contains a Power Monkey Explorer unit so you can keep all of your gizmos charged when you’re stuck in the back of beyond.

Compatible with Nokia, Mini Nokia, Motorola V66, Samsung E900, LG Chocolate, Sony Ericsson, Motorola RazrV, Blackberrys, Bluetooth Headsets, Smart Phones, PDAs, iPod, PSP.

It is capable of powering (but not charging) most models of digital cameras.
The Solar Slave and the Power Monkey are encased in a tough water resistant shell so it’s perfect for all your adventures.
Can be yours for only $116.98 from IWantOneofThose.comÂ

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Via: Goodcleantech

Startling is this fact about solar power that, just about an hour of sunlight hitting the Earth’s surface is sufficient to fulfill the power needs of humans for an entire year!!! However, we know that if our systems were that efficient how much power we could generate with the sun rays coming down on our planet for the whole year. Besides expensive silicon components of a photovoltaic panel and low system efficiency, till now our knowledge on the mechanism behind solar storage was also limited. Bugged by the twin factors of inefficiency and expense a MIT professor Daniel Nocera undertook an exhaustive research at the end of (which he believes) his team has unlocked the ‘nirvana of energy’.The Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy, Prof. Nocera has made a discovery that may change the way we have so far used solar power through PV cells. Being inspired by green plants that photosynthesize and store solar energy all the time in them, Prof. Nocera has developed a simple method to split H2O molecules.

The end products being Oxygen and Hydrogen gases. The hydrogen thus produced may then store the solar energy. His study has resulted in the emergence of a new catalyst. The latter consists of phosphate, cobalt metal, and an electrode. This new catalyst is easy to set-up and works on neutral pH at normal room temperature.When the catalyst is placed in water and current is run through the electrode, oxygen gas is produced. When another catalyst is used to produce hydrogen gas, the oxygen and hydrogen combine inside a fuel cell, creating carbon-free electricity.

This simple set up can be used to power a house or an electric car irrespective of time (day or night). The whole set up can be duplicated in large numbers to harness the abundant sunshine bestowed to us by Mother Nature. Whether this clean technology will massively cut down the energy requirements of mankind is yet to be explored. But one this is for sure, this discovery has opened new avenues in the commercial usage of solar power.
Via: Goodcleantech

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What’s summer fun without barbequing and grilling? But if you care for your planet then conventional barbequing is not a viable option. However, you can still enjoy grilled food in a truly green manner with the new Helios Solar Grill. Designed in a sci-fi manner, Helios brings the goodness of solar energy to you by grilling your food with sun’s heat. This grill is as efficient as a solar oven in terms of energy. While you grill your chicken on it the reflective solar dish is pointed away from you. This ensures maximum safety. This reflective parabolic dish focuses sunlight on a solar receptor ultimately changing sunlight into usable energy. This energy then travels to the grilling platform and heats up a coil which then helps in cooking food.

The solar grill stores upright so as to leave a small carbon footprint on the atmosphere. Its cantilevers open up with ease and when your are ready to cook they lock back in place. Helios can be used on a bad weather day as well so that your cooking doesn’t suffer on a not-so sunny day! For this, the solar grill comes with a retractable plug. The latter is an alternative energy source stored in the base of the device. As compared to barbequing which emits a lot of carbon – emissions that ultimately leads to global warming, Helios solar grill is a cleaner option. If you use less ghee (fat) for your chicken tikkas then with Helios grill by your side, you can stay healthy and go green in a delicious manner!

Via: Tuvie