solar
Everyone loves solar power, right? It’s basically an infinitely renewable resource — at least for as long as any of us care — and it’s free. FREE! Why, I remember…
New Toyota Prius has rooftop solar panels, is 10% more fuel-efficient
We reported it last year in July and Toyota is to deliver very soon: The world’s biggest automaker today announced the newest version of their Prius hybrid vehicle, due out…
New device from Sharp lets you track solar power generation via the web
It seems Japan is all about solar power lately. On April 1, Sharp Japan will release the JH-RWL1 [JP], an Internet-enabled device that allows households to monitor the performance of…
Although CES is generously provided with outlets for our charging needs, I decided that the power that comes out of them, like everything else in Vegas, is dirty. So Doug…
Details of a portable solar-powered AA and AAA battery charger by Energizer were leaked last week and we’ll see the charger debut next month at CES.
Windows are so boring. All you can do is look through them. In this age of convergence, where devices do more than one thing, windows are so old school, right?…
Using corrugated signs to heat your house (Tip: Don't burn them)
This little experiment is fairly complex but it’s an interesting examination of forcing heat through corrugation in order to absorb head and blow it through your house this summer. Doable?…
Someday I’ll tell my son about how we used to have to “plug” things in to the wall, at which point he’ll roll his eyes and speed off on his…
Solar-powering clothing accessories isn’t exactly a new idea. I have seen solar charger bags, a purse (or two), but we are stoked to have finally found something to wear when…
Here’s an example of good convergence. It’s the $169 Media Street eMotion 2GB Solar Powered Media Player and Battery Charger. Look at all those features just from the title! Not…
Everybody’s favorite gigantic furniture store filled with flat-packed boxes is getting into solar panels. Cheap ones, too. Ikea is apparently getting ready to pump $75 million into "as many as…
Hey, this deal is only good until 1:00 PM Eastern today, so hop on it if you’re interested. It’s the Sunforce 5004 60 Watt Solar Charging Kit, sold by Amazon.…
Driven by the long reaching goals of the Montreal Protocol, drafted in 1987 and since signed by 191 countries, technology continues to achieve success for the ozone reducing accord. The…
Ricoh plans to erect a "green" billboard in New York's Times Square
Ricoh Japan is planning to set up a billboard powered by natural energy in New York City’s Times Square in December. The sign will be equipped with 45 solar cell…
Today Sharp Japan [JP], the city of Sakai and Kansai Electric Power [JP] announced [JP] the so-called “Sakai City Waterfront Mega Solar Power Generation Plan”. Under the initiative, two mega…
I wonder which job is tougher; blogging or designing “a heat-resistant spacecraft designed to plunge deep into the sun’s atmosphere where it can sample solar wind and magnetism first hand.”…
Santa Monica builds solar powered ferris wheel lit by 160,000 LEDs
Santa Monica’s famous Pacific Wheel is gone, having lost the fight against new fangled technology – and man, the new wheel is blinged out. Sure, the it might not be…
Today, Japanese maker Thanko started selling its newest product, a portable media player powered by a small solar panel. The so-called “Solar MP4 Player” is Nippon-only and costs $95. It…
It’s like something out of a James Bond movie, if Bond were more of a hippie, but it’s cool. It’s a solar-powered speedboat, completely covered in solar panels to provide…
Apple could use the magical powers of the sun to charge the next iPhone
Could it be true? The next iPhone will run on solar power? And have two buttons over a circle? And use solar cells? Absolutely not, but a patent points to…
This product, made by an MD, no less, is a mini solar panel with multiple charging tips and a little leather case. It’s 19.99 British pounds sterling, which, at current…
Convenient, but possibly less efficient than a system that follows the sun. This is probably a good idea for those with good exposure who want to integrate solar power from…
This is the kind of power I can see being used on Arrakis — Dune — the desert planet. This huge array of mirrors automatically adjusts to face the sun,…
Portable NES and Game Boy emulation without having to stop for batteries? I like. You can also use the solar panels to recharge your cell phone and other small devices.…
Sun Table powers laptop, costs roughly as much as a whole pallet of extra laptop batteries
Bolt four sticks onto a giant solar panel and what do you get? That’s right, a $3600 table that charges in 3 hours and can power your laptop and…
The Sole Mio is a solar-powered wireless mouse currently being developed by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research. I can’t tell if it’s Bluetooth or RF (maybe they haven’t gotten…
We’re RICH! Not content with hegemonic domination of the Internets, Google is now seeking dominion over the open road. Earlier this week (read: yesterday), Google and Pacific Gas & Electric…
Cell phone battery life has been one of the top problems since its inception. Motorola was there at the beginning, and is at least exploring smart solutions. Motorola recently received…
Although winter seems to be coming to end in NYC (I’m sure I’ll eat my words next week), these eco-friendly hand warmers, dubbed the Eneloop Kairo, are good for those…
If you’re the kind of guy who likes a camping trip every once in awhile, you’re probably content with leaving your iPod at home for a few days. But not…