Solar Thermal Power Could Supply 90 Percent of US Electrical Needs
Ausra Inc., a developer of utility-scale solar thermal power technology, has published a peer-reviewed study stating that over 90 percent of the U.S. electric grid energy needs, including the auto fleet, could be met by solar thermal power. David Mills, chief scientific officer and founder at Ausra, stated:
The U.S. could nearly eliminate our dependence on coal, oil and gas for electricity and transportation, drastically slashing global warming pollution without increasing costs for energy," . "This new study shows that our daily and annual energy needs closely match the energy production potential from solar thermal power plants with heat energy storage, and our models show solar thermal power will cost less than continuing to import oil.
The less appliances and gadgets I have the better, so combining a wall clock with a smoke alarm sounds like a great idea to me. The Quantys Solar Clock requires solar charging once a year and doubles as a smoke alarm. This atomic clock is silent and perhaps the modern equivalent of a sundial using the sun to power its batteries.
When I took an alternative energy course at Humboldt State University over ten years ago, the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book was our textbook. This book is the definitive source for renewable technologies and sustainable living. Even if you don't plan to install solar panels in your home, you can learn a lot from this book. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book includes brand new sections on Peak Oil, Climate Change, Relocalization, Natural Burial, Biodynamics and Permaculture. Other expanded chapters include:
Land & Shelter
Natural Building
Passive Solar
Biofuels
Sustainable Transportation
Grid-tied Photovoltaics
Solar Hot Water Systems
This book covers it all and is a basic reference for almost all things green!
Traditionally, solar energy has been expensive, at a cost of about $7.00 per watt; however, now, Massachusetts based Konarka has successfully developed a new process to manufacture solar cells with an inkjet printer.
"Demonstrating the use of inkjet printing technology as a fabrication tool for highly efficient solar cells and sensors with small area requirements is a major milestone," commented Rick Hess, president and CEO at Konarka. "This essential breakthrough in the field of printed solar cells positions Konarka as an emerging leader in printed photovoltaics."
The solar cells are made without silicon and are manufactured into a thin, light film and do not require a clean room like traditional silicon cells. These organic (carbon/plastic/oil) cells aren't as efficient as their silicon counterparts, but their production cost is much less. Hmm, now what to do with solar film? The company has suggested "putting its plastic on soft drink bottles in stores for advertising," but I am not sure this really matches the sustainable values of the solar industry.
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What was old is young again...or new again - or at least eco-friendly and rechargeable. We give you the Casio FX-260 Solar Scientific Calculator. Your eco-friends will be green with envy as you do your math calculations carbon free, and solve the next riddle in eco-friendly math. All of this is assuming your the kind of geek that likes to do math in the outdoors - or near windows.
Update: Sportsman's Guide appears to be sold out of their solar-powered LED lights, but Get Organized is carrying them for $20 for a 26' string of 60 lights. Buy them at Get Organized LED holiday lights.
We've switched our clocks for Daylight Savings Time. And what better use is there for that extra daylight than....solar powered LED holiday lights?
Sportsman's Guide is stocking these lights, available in strings of 50 or 100 bulbs, and in white or colored lights. Place these lights anywhere outside - cover your house, string them on a tree, deck the front bumper of your hybrid SUV - and the sunlight will recharge the battery. When the sun goes down, the lights turn on automatically. Voila! Twinkle, twinkle, without the high electric bills or eco-guilt.
Do It Yourself Solar Panels for Swimming Pools, Spas & more
Want to learn how to DIY on that solar water heating project? This Solar Powered Panel Instructional DVD & Plans for water heating is a simple step-by-step, DIY, easy to follow solar panel construction DVD. When you're done you'll have 3500 watts (12,000BTU) of free solar power per panel, 10+degrees F increase in water temperature in one day, and a solution engineered for maximum robustness and weatherability.
At 1.3 megawatts of solar power, the Stade De Suisse, located in Bern, Switzerland is the worlds largest solar powered stadium. Apparently they used to have a smaller output of solar power (a mear 834 watts), but now look at the size of it! SOLAR POWER!
We really want a solar charger for our iPod, iPhone, and other gadgets and gizmos we carry around. The Solio universal "hybrid" solar charger is powerful enough to charge all of your handheld electronic products at home or on the move. The Solio works by absorbing power from either four hours in the wall socket or 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight, and then storing the energy within its internal battery. Once the Solio's battery is full, you can use the unit to charge your cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, PDA, game player, GPS, fish finder, or digital camera, making it a powerful all-in-one battery charger.
This self-powered radio offers AM and FM broadcasts. The integrated solar panel will generate enough power to operate the radio and charge the battery simultaneously when exposed to strong sunlight. When you aren't using it, the radio will charge itself up if left in the sun. In addition to being able to power itself with the solar panel, just 30 seconds of winding the hand crank on the back of the radio will provide about 35 minutes of power.
Having seen something similar over at Kitchen Contraptions so long ago, it's nice to see some more solar grills. This solar grill is built intentionally for grilling up hot dogs at boomerang competitions. Yes - boomerangs - those things you throw. This grill is solar powered--the thing is literally a glass box that catches sunlight bounced off a reflective Mylar panel and thus bathing the hot dogs in solar baking heat. Will this ignite a third option in the grilling wars? Gas, Charcoal, or Solar? Which one is better?
Solar Thermal Power Could Supply 90 Percent of US Electrical Needs
Update: Sportsman's Guide appears to be sold out of their solar-powered LED lights, but 
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