The Power of Alternative Thinking: Photos of alternative energy products, projects or processes that are helping to minimize the carbon footprint in their area.
Show Off Your Ride: Photos of modified, tricked-out and supped up rides including: cars, motorcycles, trucks, watercraft, unique vehicles and more.
Any day I wake up and I see the words “Solar Power” or “Solar Energy” coupled with any phrase like “Cut costs” or “reduce price” or anything like that, I know, just know it’s going to be an ok day. Today is one of those days. I just caught wind of a new breakthrough in Solar Energy research that, if fully realized, could potentially cut the cost of using such devices by HALF. Yes, by 50%. This is big.
According to reports, a new United States company has found a way to create a new type of photovoltaic solar panels that could cut the cost by 50% and help bring in a brand new age of solar energy and accessible solar power all over the world. A spokesman for Mulk Holdings and their subsidiary American Building Technologies was quoted as saying:
“We hope the success of this project will lead to an upsurge in the development of more solar energy plants, which will not only lessen the strain on existing energy resources, but also severely reduce the pollution levels that are currently witnessed in power generation.”
I hope so too Mr. Spokesman, I hope so too. Currently, solar panels are either heavy and archaic, or if they are thinner and easier to handle, the prices are so high that few people could actually afford to implement them into their daily lives. This new, smaller, lighter and easier to put-up version could make its usage both affordable and easy.
Stay tuned to this to see just how easy, and just how affordable. The larger this news gets, the more we’ll all be hearing about it. This is one we should all follow.
So we all know by now that the Department of Energy is going to be installing an absolutely massive Solar Wall on their headquarters in Washington D.C.. What some of you might not know, however, is that there are other buildings all over the world that use solar walls as we speak as a great way to cut down on power consumption, and in the process, eliminate a great deal of greenhouse gases.
I just found a pretty awesome little video to end your fantastic week this fine Friday with. This video is of the “SolarWall, solar air heating system provided by Conserval Engineering” in Manitoba, Canada. While it’s nowhere near as fancy, as cosmetically beautiful or as large as its soon to be built cousin in Washington D.C., the fact remains it IS a Solar Wall, and it IS doing the exact same things. The point is, anyone, anywhere can start implementing solar technology into their lives, you don’t have to have the budget of the Government, or the design skills of a New York City Architecture Firm, you just have to fine the right products, and the right people to help you do it.
So, check out the video, then I highly suggest you head over to Northern Tool and check out our amazing line of Solar Energy products. This is the year to turn things around, and what better way to start than cutting down your home energy costs AND saving the environment at the same time. Start now!
I hate to say it, but it’s about time! That’s right, it’s about time our very own United States Department of Energy started heavily adopting some of the very same technologies they have been stressing as important to all of this country’s citizens!
According to recent reports, the U.S. Dept. of Energy is actually having some pretty major architectural changes in light of a winner emerging from their recent “Solar Wall” competition. The winner has been announced, and they were proud to give the award to New York architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz. Their new “Sun Wall” will cover 32,000 square feet and will cover the South Elevation of the Dept. of Energy’s Washington D.C. headquarters. First off, congratulations to Solomon Cordwell Buenz, and second off, congratulations to the Department of Energy for not only adopting such awesome technology, but inspiring such a great competition in the first place.
“As the largest building-integrated solar energy system on any US federal building, the sun wall will generate 200 kW of energy. SCB’s design also includes a solar thermal installation for hot water in addition to photovoltaic panels.”
I’m guessing the installation will be wildly expensive, but nevertheless, it’s great to see that such beautiful design can come from such beautiful technology. Gone are the days of the gigantic square solar panels on the roofs of 1970’s homes. We’re in the future now baby.
It’s Friday and we all know that means that each and every one of us is beyond ready to get out, get home, and start enjoying the weekend. Plus, the simple fact that this is the first Real week back to our schedules after what I’m sure was a very hectic Holiday Season, means you’re probably ready to call it a week, and head home.
So, that said, I won’t keep you long, but I did want to share an awesome little video that should help highlight a great deal more on China’s solar situation. The fact of the matter is, China is a MAJOR player on the global scale and the fact that they are taking strides to reduce their negative environmental output and start doing some serious good for the Earth as well as their energy use.
Check out this video, get a little more informed on things all the way around the world, and then have an amazing weekend. Might want to check out Northern Tool before you go, there are some Great sales going on, and stocking up with that extra Christmas cash is not a bad idea!
Way to Go CHINA! No, I’m not talking their performance in women’s gymnastics in Beijing, and unfortunately I’m not talking about how they are going to shock the world and free Tibet once and for all, but what I am talking about is a great leap forward they’re taking in the world of alternative energy, and I, for one, am going to give credit where credit is due!
That’s right, word is that China is planning and prepping the world’s largest solar farm to date. World’s Largest. We all know that 2008 was a pretty good year in the world of Solar Energy; a lot of new farms were opened, planned, prepped and developed…so far, it looks like 2009 will be just as good, if not better. According to reports:
“…the China Technology Development Group Corp. and Qinghai New Energy Co. announced plans to build a 1 GW solar farm in China— the largest in the world…Construction will begin this year on the first part of the project— a $150 million, 30 MW crystalline silicon and thin film solar power station in the Qaidam Basin. The full timeline for the project is not currently available.”
1 GW! AHHH! Talk about just making my entire month, and yes, it’s only the first week. Just how big is this planned project? Try this on for size; if they complete it, it will be almost DOUBLE the size of ANY other announced solar farm project in history. Double.
Here’s a great New Year’s Resolution I think the world should embrace: Each State in the United States, each Country in the world, should all develop solar energy farms, plans and methods this 2009. Lets all write our representatives and do what we can to make 2009 the year of Solar Power! Come on!
WOW. Sorry for the rather unimaginative first word, but Wow. I just got wind of this amazing feat of engineering, ingenuity, and alternative energy genius, and I’m still stunned and wildly impressed. I can’t say it much better than the article I just read, so, here you go, get amazed with me:
“A new electric car that is solar-powered has traveled 32,000 miles through 38 countries. The vehicle gave rides to about 1,000 people and can travel up to 55 mph…”This is the first time in history that a solar-powered car has traveled all the way around the world without using a single drop of petrol.”"
Believe it. The simple fact that there are people out there, RIGHT NOW, doing things like this gives me great hope for the future. It is easy in today’s day and age to get caught up in the worry of global warming, the sour economy and all we’re Not doing to stay as green as possible, but when something like this pops up, it gives you great hope.
The fact is, if this can happen, there is No reason that the major auto companies can not be making some serious Solar Power changes and Electric Cars that can do similar things. I don’t know about you but I’m insanely jealous I wasn’t on the round-the-world voyage with them!
The world is a very big place, with a lot of very big places inside of it. While I was pleased to report the news about the United States becoming the largest producer of wind energy in the world, the fact remained…the world is a big place and we need a lot of those big places to be doing a whole lot more in the world of alternative energy solutions.
One such “big place” that IS taking a very positive step forward this New Year’s Eve, is Japan, and I couldn’t be happier. For such a small island, they use a whole lot of energy to power their light-heavy cities like Tokyo, and hopefully this new, well, renewed push towards alternative energy use will help take a huge chunk out of their energy debt. According to reports, the Solar Power push for Japan is officially back on and might even be stronger than ever. Get this…while Japan is so tiny, they are the 2nd largest economy and, yikes, the 5th largest contributor to greenhouse gasses. Not good.
“Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced on Tuesday 9 billion yen (AUD$145 million) in the first quarter of 2009 to encourage home solar power; with further funding to come. Japan aims to have solar power systems installed on over 70% of new houses…In an action plan tabled in November, Japan confirmed targets of increasing the number of installations of solar power generation systems tenfold by 2020 and 40-fold by 2030, while halving the current price of systems within three to five years. The new program will have a substantial positive impact on Japan’s solar industry and generate thousands of new jobs.”
Home Solar Power Systems in 70% of new houses?! I love it! To help themselves reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, they are going to need every bit of this, as well as educating their people, which is part of their larger plan. All in all, it is great to see a country stand up and take responsibility for their future, and the future of this whole planet.
How about some great news for an early gift this Holiday Season?! How about I tell you that reports are streaming in that officially, more farms in California than ever are actually operating on solar power?! Believe it friends, early Holiday Gift indeed!
That’s right, according to new reports, there has been a noticeable and sizable increase in the number of farms in and around California that are actually operating using the sun’s energy. From rice farms to vinyards to dairy farms, farmers everywhere are harvesting another renewable resource that is in abundance in California…the sunshine. By using solar energy, they have been able to not only cut costs and operating finances, but also give back to the environment at the same time. The fact that the numbers are increasing each and every year is beyond exciting.
According to the article, “More than 960 California companies have applied for rebates through the state Public Utilities Commission since Jan. 1, 2007, for installing solar panels…” While there is no breakdown as to how many are agricultural, the simple fact that 960 companies in ANY industry are actually using solar power is so exciting it might just fill my entire stocking with cheer this year.
Keep up the great work California, and for all the rest of the states, lets get going! Stay tuned for more on this!
Just yesterday I talked at length about how 33% of consumers in this fine country want greener electronics. Not only do they Want them, they plan on buying them within the next 2 years. This is great news, but I found something today that is even better…you don’t have to Wait 2 years to buy some awesome Green Christmas gifts, you can start now, with these 8 awesome products I just found.
That’s right, the article I just read has 8 great ideas for any and all gadget lovers in your life. The best part of all, not only will THEY love them, the Earth will too. Can’t ask for much more than that, now can you? Without further ado, and as usual check out the full article for more, here are the 8 best Green Christmas Gadget Gifts this year:
“The Voltaic Backpack - A backpack covered in solar panels that will charge your gear with the energy saved from the sun. Rad.
The Kill-A-Watt - Power strip that actually measures the energy you’re using and shows just how much you save by unplugging.
EasyBloom Plant Sensor - A Device that measures how your plants are doing, when they need water and if they are sick or not. Think of it as a green thumb for you.
There you have it. If you can’t find something on that list to fill up your tree or stocking with gifts, I don’t know what to tell you. Me, I want all of them…er…I’ll be buying them for other people! Not a gadget fan but still want to go green this Christmas, head over to Northern Tool and look at all of our amazing alternative energy products. There is something there for EVERYONE that wants to start helping the Earth AND their pocketbooks!
I hate to say it, but it’s about time! That’s right, it’s about time our very own United States Department of Energy started heavily adopting some of the very same technologies they have been stressing as important to all of this country’s citizens!
Just yesterday I talked at length about how 33% of consumers in this fine country want greener electronics. Not only do they Want them, they plan on buying them within the next 2 years. This is great news, but I found something today that is even better…you don’t have to Wait 2 years to buy some awesome Green Christmas gifts, you can start now, with these 8 awesome products I just found.