Solar-Powered Sunny Speaker Packs Big Sound in a Tiny Environmental Footprint

May 28, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: Chitkara University’s Solar Lounge Offers Style and Comfort in a Compact Clean Energy Charging Station

≪ Previous: Massive Multi-Family Apartment Complex Solar Installation Completed in California

Meet Sunny, the solar powered musical companion made from sustainably harvested wood. Developed by Patrick Daly and Ryan Bachman of SoularSound, this adorable solar panel-topped speaker celebrates quality HiFi sound with environmentally friendly and efficient materials. To minimize its environmental impact, Sunny is handmade from FSC certified wood, U.S.-sourced solar panels, and recycled steel. Since the modular bluetooth speaker was built to last, its user friendly design allows owners to easily make repairs or upgrades. To bring this fun eco-minded Sunny speaker into your home, send your support over to the SoularSound Sunny Kickstarter today!

+ Sunny Kickstarter

The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want to see your story on Inhabitat? Send us a tip by following this link. Remember to follow our instructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: bluetooth speaker, eco-friendly speaker, fsc certified wood, handmade speaker, kickstarter, reader submitted content, recycled steel, solar panels, Solar Power, solar powered speaker, soularsound, sunny speaker

↧

Chitkara University’s Solar Lounge Offers Style and Comfort in a Compact Clean Energy Charging Station

May 29, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: Solar-Powered Techstyle Haus’ Futuristic Fabric Shell Drastically Reduces Energy Consumption

≪ Previous: Solar-Powered Sunny Speaker Packs Big Sound in a Tiny Environmental Footprint

Many of us would prefer to work outside in nice weather, but it’s usually only a matter of time before we’re forced back inside in search of a power outlet. To combine the joys of the outdoors and convenience of staying plugged in, electrical engineering students at the North Indian Chitkara University designed Solar Lounge, a stylish clean energy charging station that doubles as outdoor furniture. The student project will become part of Chitkara University’s line of Eco-furniture and was designed as part of Tech Montrer, an event that gave final year students a platform to showcase their projects. Built for comfort, the Solar Lounge is designed like an outdoor room, with a cushioned backrest and seating, outlets, and solar-powered lights at night.

+ Chitkara University

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: "clean energy", Charging Station, Chitkara university, clean energy charging station, eco furniture, reader submitted content, site furniture, solar lounge, student project, tech montrer

↧

Solar-Powered Techstyle Haus’ Futuristic Fabric Shell Drastically Reduces Energy Consumption

May 29, 2014, 2:23 pm

≫ Next: INFOGRAPHIC: The Evolution and Future Growth of Renewable Energy

≪ Previous: Chitkara University’s Solar Lounge Offers Style and Comfort in a Compact Clean Energy Charging Station

↧

INFOGRAPHIC: The Evolution and Future Growth of Renewable Energy

May 30, 2014, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Solar Roadways Crowdfunding Campaign Blitzes Goal, Raises Over $1.5 Million

≪ Previous: Solar-Powered Techstyle Haus’ Futuristic Fabric Shell Drastically Reduces Energy Consumption

Renewable energy is one of the keys to securing a sustainable future for people around the world – but do you know where today’s clean technologies came from and what the future holds for the industry? The New Jersey Institute of Technology just launched a new infographic that details the evolution and future growth of renewable energy – from the world’s first major solar plant to cutting edge advances in tidal and wind power. Check out the full infographic here!

+ New Jersey Institute of Technology

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: "sustainable energy", "wind power", clean tech, green design, green energy, green power, new jersey institute of technology, renewable energy, renewables, Solar Power, sustainable design, tidal power

↧

Solar Roadways Crowdfunding Campaign Blitzes Goal, Raises Over $1.5 Million

June 1, 2014, 2:00 am

≫ Next: Multijunction Solar Cells Break Efficiency Records by Harvesting the Full Spectrum of Light

≪ Previous: INFOGRAPHIC: The Evolution and Future Growth of Renewable Energy

Inhabitat has been reporting on the Solar Roadways project since 2009, so we are excited to see that their latest Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign has raised over $1.5 million! Funds are going towards production costs and hiring staff, and there’s still a short amount of time left to show your support until the midnight PT, May 31 deadline.

Solar Roadways, Indiegogo campaign, solar panels, solar-powered road, modular solar power system, Solar Freakin' Roadways, jobs, green jobs, crowdfunding

Read the rest of Solar Roadways Crowdfunding Campaign Blitzes Goal, Raises Over $1.5 Million

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: Crowdfunding, green jobs, indiegogo campaign, jobs, modular solar power system, Solar Freakin' Roadways, solar panels, solar roadways, solar-powered road

↧

Multijunction Solar Cells Break Efficiency Records by Harvesting the Full Spectrum of Light

June 2, 2014, 2:01 pm

≫ Next: Solar Impulse 2 Airplane Launches Successful Maiden Flight in Switzerland

≪ Previous: Solar Roadways Crowdfunding Campaign Blitzes Goal, Raises Over $1.5 Million

Engineers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a new type of solar cell that uses multiple junctions instead of single subcells to gather the full spectrum of light. The panels are able to capture different wavelengths of sunlight, so they can achieve power conversion efficiencies of 44% as compared to the 29% of standard panels.

sunlight, solar power, renewable energy, prof john rogers, university of illinois at urbana champaign, solar junction, semprius

Read the rest of Multijunction Solar Cells Break Efficiency Records by Harvesting the Full Spectrum of Light

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: full spectrum solar cell, multijunction solar cell, prof john rogers, renewable energy, semprius, Solar Cell, solar junction, Solar Power, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

↧

Solar Impulse 2 Airplane Launches Successful Maiden Flight in Switzerland

June 2, 2014, 2:06 pm

≫ Next: CSIRO Solar Thermal Plant Sets World Record with Solar-Generated Supercritical Steam

≪ Previous: Multijunction Solar Cells Break Efficiency Records by Harvesting the Full Spectrum of Light

Swiss aviation pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg just took an important step toward their 2015 goal of flying around the world on a solar-powered aircraft with the successful maiden flight of the Solar Impulse 2. Professional test pilot Marcus Scherdel took the cockpit of the single-seater aircraft at Payerne Airport in Switzerland and lifted off at approximately 5:36 this morning Central European Time (CET) for a 2 hour and 17 minute flight that climbed to an altitude of 5,500 feet (1,670 meters) before returning to Payerne.

Solar Impulse 2, solar-powered aircraft, clean energy, aviation, round-the-world flight

Read the rest of Solar Impulse 2 Airplane Launches Successful Maiden Flight in Switzerland

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: alternative retreats, Andre Borschberg, bertrand piccard, maiden flight, Marcus Scherdel, round-the-world flight, Solar Impulse 2, Solar Impulse 2 maiden flight, solar planes, solar powered aircraft, Switzerland, test flight

↧

CSIRO Solar Thermal Plant Sets World Record with Solar-Generated Supercritical Steam

June 5, 2014, 6:37 am

≫ Next: Detractors Say that Solar Roadways Must Be Stopped

≪ Previous: Solar Impulse 2 Airplane Launches Successful Maiden Flight in Switzerland

In what is being described as a major breakthrough for renewable energy, researchers at Australia’s national science agency just set a world record by using solar power to generate supercritical steam at a solar thermal plant. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) created the highest temperatures ever achieved without coal or gas at its solar thermal test plant in Newcastle using a field of more than 600 heliostat mirrors directed at two towers containing solar receivers and turbines. The supercritical steam was generated at a pressure of 23.5 mpa (3,400 psi) and 570° C (1,058° F).

solar energy, solar thermal, supercritical steam, Australia, CSIRO

supercritical steam, solar energy, solar thermal, Australia, CSIRO

Read the rest of CSIRO Solar Thermal Plant Sets World Record with Solar-Generated Supercritical Steam

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: "clean energy", australia, CSIRO, fossil fuels, high temperatures, power plants, Solar Power, solar-thermal energy, supercritical steam, world record, zero-emissions

↧

Detractors Say that Solar Roadways Must Be Stopped

June 5, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: INTERVIEW: GrabCAD Looks Under the Hood of the New Solar Impulse 2 Airplane

≪ Previous: CSIRO Solar Thermal Plant Sets World Record with Solar-Generated Supercritical Steam

Solar Roadways have been getting a lot of attention lately after securing nearly $2 million in funding on Indiegogo – but some detractors are decrying the innovation, saying that the idea just won’t work. The inventors of Solar Roadways say the project has the potential to free the US from dirty energy, save lives with intelligent signage and make roads safer with heating. But critics say that output issues, noisy roads and a simple lack of need mean that Solar Roadways just won’t fly.

Solar Roadways, solar roads, Solar roads Indiegogo, Solar Roadways funding, solar power, solar panels, drivable solar panels, Solar Roadways Indiegogo, Solar Roadways detractors, Solar Roadways cons, Solar Roadways support, Solar Roadways problems, Solar Roadways renewables international, Renewables International magazine, solar power innovations

Read the rest of Detractors Say that Solar Roadways Must Be Stopped

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: drivable solar panels, Renewables International magazine, solar panels, Solar Power, solar power innovations, solar roads, Solar roads Indiegogo, solar roadways, Solar Roadways cons, Solar Roadways detractors, Solar Roadways funding, Solar Roadways Indiegogo, Solar Roadways problems, Solar Roadways renewables international, Solar Roadways support

↧

INTERVIEW: GrabCAD Looks Under the Hood of the New Solar Impulse 2 Airplane

June 5, 2014, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Solar-Powered Bang Bang Tents Charges Your Gadgets While You Rock Out in Style

≪ Previous: Detractors Say that Solar Roadways Must Be Stopped

Earlier this week Inhabitat reported that the Solar Impulse 2 launched its maiden flight in preparation for its record-breaking sun-powered trip around the world next year. The lightweight and ultra-efficient airplane is a marvel of modern technology – and mechanical engineering community GrabCAD recently published a great interview that takes a look under the hood. Read on to learn everything from the project’s tech specs to the team’s greatest engineering challenges and next steps.

Solar-Powered Bang Bang Tents Charges Your Gadgets While You Rock Out in Style

June 10, 2014, 12:40 pm

≫ Next: Michael Jantzen’s Sun Rays Visitors Center Generates Solar Electricity in the Desert

≪ Previous: INTERVIEW: GrabCAD Looks Under the Hood of the New Solar Impulse 2 Airplane

↧

Michael Jantzen’s Sun Rays Visitors Center Generates Solar Electricity in the Desert

June 13, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: Rustic Wooden Alpine House is Powered by Both Solar and Geothermal Energy in Italy

≪ Previous: Solar-Powered Bang Bang Tents Charges Your Gadgets While You Rock Out in Style

Michael Jantzen has unveiled a conceptual design for the Sun Rays Visitor Center, a steel and concrete educational facility that doubles as a solar electric power plant in the desert. The off-grid facility generates electricity by converting the heat of the sun reflected and focused in hundreds of installed mirrors into steam. The Sun Rays Visitors Center’s yellow radial form was inspired by the way sun rays reflect off of the mirrors and the center also consists of a viewing platform, office space, and exhibition area.

+ Michael Jantzen

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: michael jantzen, reader submitted content, solar electric power plant, solar electricity, Solar Power, solar power plant, sun rays visitors center

↧

Rustic Wooden Alpine House is Powered by Both Solar and Geothermal Energy in Italy

June 13, 2014, 2:49 pm

≫ Next: Quebec Residence Gets An Eco-Modernist Facelift

≪ Previous: Michael Jantzen’s Sun Rays Visitors Center Generates Solar Electricity in the Desert

↧

Quebec Residence Gets An Eco-Modernist Facelift

June 16, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Paint-On Solar Cells Could Make Renewable Power Accessible to the Masses

≪ Previous: Rustic Wooden Alpine House is Powered by Both Solar and Geothermal Energy in Italy

↧

Paint-On Solar Cells Could Make Renewable Power Accessible to the Masses

June 16, 2014, 1:03 pm

≫ Next: World’s First Integrated Solar System Generates Electricity and Heat

≪ Previous: Quebec Residence Gets An Eco-Modernist Facelift

Researchers at the University of Toronto have made a breakthrough that could lead to cheaper and more flexible solar cells that could be used by millions of people around the world. The team developed nanoparticles called colloidal quantum dots that don’t lose their electrons when exposed to air. The new material achieves solar power conversion efficiency of up to eight percent and can be painted or printed on surfaces such as roofing shingles. The breakthrough also ensures better sensors, infrared lasers, infrared light emitting diodes and satellites.

Read the rest of Paint-On Solar Cells Could Make Renewable Power Accessible to the Masses

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: "solar energy", canada, cheap solar, colloidal quantum dots, n-type semiconductor, nanoparticles, nanotechnology, Paint On Solar Cells, painting solar cells, Solar cells, Solar Paint, solar power for the masses, toronto, University of Technology

↧

World’s First Integrated Solar System Generates Electricity and Heat

June 17, 2014, 1:56 pm

≫ Next: Clever Infinite Light Turns a Recycled Plastic Bottle Into a Solar Lamp

≪ Previous: Paint-On Solar Cells Could Make Renewable Power Accessible to the Masses

In what could be a game changer for the solar energy industry, a house in suburban Sydney, Australia has installed the world’s first building integrated solar system that generates electricity and heat. The rooftop array combines thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a solar thermal duct system that warms and cools the air. The top layer produces electricity from the sun just as a normal PV panel would, while heat is trapped between the layers and distributed to the home.

integrated solar system, electricity and heat, Australian Renewable Energy Agency, solar PV, solar thermal

integrated solar system, solar PV, solar thermal, electricity and heat, ARENA

Read the rest of World’s First Integrated Solar System Generates Electricity and Heat

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: australia, Australian Renewable Energy Agency, electricity and heat, integrated solar system, solar pv, solar thermal

↧

Clever Infinite Light Turns a Recycled Plastic Bottle Into a Solar Lamp

June 18, 2014, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Elon Musk’s SolarCity Buys Silevo, in Talks to Build One of the World’s Largest Solar Panel Plants

≪ Previous: World’s First Integrated Solar System Generates Electricity and Heat

Millions of people around the world live without access to electricity – and upon nightfall, many families are forced to use dangerous and expensive kerosene lamps. The Infinite Light is a high quality and cost-effective solar lamp designed to be used in rural off-grid areas. The simple solution consists of a flexible solar panel and batteries stored within a recycled PET bottle. Designed by Dr. Hakan Gürsu of Designnobis, the Infinite Light was honored with a 2013 Green Dot Award.

+ Designnobis

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: designnobis, green design, green lighting, Infinite Light, off-grid lighting, social responsibility, solar lamp, Solar Power, sustainable design

↧

Elon Musk’s SolarCity Buys Silevo, in Talks to Build One of the World’s Largest Solar Panel Plants

June 19, 2014, 8:00 am

≫ Next: Solar Taxis Offer a Clean Energy Solution for Environmentally Conscious Cities

≪ Previous: Clever Infinite Light Turns a Recycled Plastic Bottle Into a Solar Lamp

On the heels of his radical announcement to open Tesla’s entire patent portfolio, Elon Musk just made a major investment that could revolutionize the solar energy industry. Musk’s rooftop solar panel installation company SolarCity just signed an agreement to acquire solar panel manufacturer Silevo for up to $350 million. As part of the deal, SolarCity is in talks with New York State to build a one gigawatt solar panel production plant in Buffalo that would be one of the world’s largest solar factories, creating more than 1,000 jobs within the next two years.

SolarCity, Elon Musk, Silevo, solar panels, solar plant, Buffalo, New York, solar industry

SolarCity, Elon Musk, solar panels, solar panel production plant, solar energy, Buffalo, New York

Read the rest of Elon Musk’s SolarCity Buys Silevo, in Talks to Build One of the World’s Largest Solar Panel Plants

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: "solar energy", buffalo, elon musk, New York., one gigawatt, Silevo, solar factory, solar panels, solar plant, solarcity

↧

Solar Taxis Offer a Clean Energy Solution for Environmentally Conscious Cities

June 19, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: Solar Cell Breakthrough Could Unlock Cheaper Energy

≪ Previous: Elon Musk’s SolarCity Buys Silevo, in Talks to Build One of the World’s Largest Solar Panel Plants

Energy efficiency is a major concern for modern cities, and continually pumping our vehicles with finite fossil fuels is clearly not the answer. To offer a more environmentally conscious solution, designer Hakan Gürsu of Designnobis has proposed Solar Taxis, eco-vehicles powered by clean energy for urban use. Topped by solar panels, the Solar Taxi is surrounded by a transparent outer shell that’s rugged enough for tough roads. The spacious design would also offer enough room to accommodate physically disabled passengers. The Solar Taxi design won the 2013 – 2014 A’ Design Award Winner in the Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design Category.

+ DESIGNNOBIS

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: "clean energy", cars, clean electricity, designnobis, eco vehicle, green car, green transportation, Hakan Gürsu, reader submitted content, solar panels, Solar Power, solar taxi

↧

Solar Cell Breakthrough Could Unlock Cheaper Energy

June 19, 2014, 2:06 pm

≫ Next: Germany Smashes Three Solar Energy Records in Just Two Weeks!

≪ Previous: Solar Taxis Offer a Clean Energy Solution for Environmentally Conscious Cities

A new breakthrough in the design of silicon-based solar cells has seen a 20-year-old efficiency record broken by not one, but three companies. Presenting at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference in Denver, Panasonic unveiled its latest record-breaking design, with Sharp and SunPower also presenting new models that surpassed previous efficiency benchmarks. The breakthroughs pave the way for solar power to compete commercially against fossil fuels.

Read the rest of Solar Cell Breakthrough Could Unlock Cheaper Energy

Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg
Post tags: "energy efficiency", alternative energy, denver colorado, design breakthough, green power, IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, panasonic, photovoltaic cells, Richard Swanson, sharp, silicon solar cells, solar cell design breakthrough, Solar cells, sunpower

↧