tagged w/ Sustainable Solutions
-
Imagine a solar panel as affordable as a fancy new bicycle. A panel designed so simply that you can install one (or more) yourself, just outside your windows, in the course of an afternoon.
That's the concept behind Oakland, Calif.-based Veranda Solar, a start-up founded last year by Capra J'neva and Emilie Fetscher, recent graduates of the product design program at Stanford University. J'neva and Fetscher dreamed up attractive, flower-shaped solar panels as part of their master's project at the design school. "We created a starter solar system that expands as your budget does," J'neva says.
Their plan is to sell Veranda panels at roughly $600 each later this year, provided it raises more funding. The panels snap together, so people will be able to buy just one to start and add more later on if they like. The solar inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) electricity from the panels to alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used in the electric grid, plugs right into a wall socket.
One of the biggest problems with solar panels is the high cost. Before rebates, the price can easily exceed $30,000 to outfit a residential roof. J'neva began asking who really wanted to have solar power and realized it was the 20-something generation--people who typically have smaller budgets but aspire to live greener lifestyles. Most of the interested customers she knows over 30 are looking to spend $2,400 to $4,000 on panels; folks in their twenties will spend much less.
Article Continues:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/02/veranda-solar-greentech-technology-ecotech09_veranda.htmlImagine a solar panel as affordable as a fancy new bicycle. A panel designed so simply... more
-
-
It is unfortunately a given now that certain areas of the world, Bangladesh for example, are already experiencing the effects of climate change. Therefore, it is necessary that methods for adaptation now be employed to prepare the people to survive the floods, droughts, and rising seas that are now already effecting these areas. This initiative also proves that when the solutions are left in the hands of those who live there and know the land and farm it innovation and vision thrive over simply making a profit.It is unfortunately a given now that certain areas of the world, Bangladesh for... more
-
-
Humanure Toilet application from one of 2 Natural Building conferences.
-
-
The Humanure Composting bin known as the "Humanure Hacienda". Sustainable human waste management.The Humanure Composting bin known as the "Humanure Hacienda". Sustainable... more
-
-
A short instructional video on one part of the Humanure Composting process.
-
-
A Short video about the Humanure process.
-
-
Keeping the Humanure Compost cooking at the optimum temperature range during the winter.
-
-
No need for a sewage plant. The science of Humanure Composting. A 21st century solution to one of humanity's most basic waste problems.No need for a sewage plant. The science of Humanure Composting. A 21st century... more
-
-
-
The perfect alternative to the Rainbow Camp Latrine! For those of you who are familiar with the Rainbow Gathering.The perfect alternative to the Rainbow Camp Latrine! For those of you who are familiar... more
-
-
A test showing how Humanure Organically Grown Vegetables can be grown on some of the most depleted soil in the world.A test showing how Humanure Organically Grown Vegetables can be grown on some of the... more
-
-
Turn up the Volume it's worth straining to hear this.
-
-
This is as "GREEN" as it gets friends!
-
-
Part of the Humanure process. Audio is clear but low.
-
-
This begins a series by my friend Joe who's known worldwide as the author of "The Humanure Handbook".This begins a series by my friend Joe who's known worldwide as the author of... more
-
-
BioSolar surprised attendees at the SPIE Symposium on Solar Applications and Energy in San Diego by revealing that materials derived from cotton and castor beans compose the company's proprietary BioBacksheet, a protective covering, traditionally made from expensive petroleum-based film, used in the back of virtually all photovoltaic solar cells.
"This information has remained highly-guarded over the past 18 months as BioSolar established academic and industry credibility," said BioSolar Chairman and CEO, Dr. David Lee. "Now that our technology is strongly protected both domestically and abroad, we are able to share this exciting news with the public."
While not revealing core proprietary or patent-pending elements of the intellectual property, BioSolar's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Stan Levy, divulged in his presentation that the bio-based components are a composite of cellulosic material derived from cotton, combined with an arcane nylon (nylon 11) derived from castor beans.
Dr. Levy detailed the procedures and results of the company's 18-month product development effort to engineer the BioBacksheet from non-food, plant-based materials. He provided an in-depth look at the science and applied technology behind the unique bio-sustainable formulation and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes used to create the company's BioBacksheet product.
The two sustainably sourced components are combined utilizing the company's proprietary manufacturing process.
"We have demonstrated that functional photovoltaic backsheets can be produced from renewable resources," said Dr. Levy. "We believe that the BioBacksheet is a viable alternative to backsheets currently in use. Not only is this product produced from sustainable and renewable resources, but is expected to be more cost effective than the current backsheets."
"Also, manufacturers currently enduring a six-month wait for materials like DuPont's petroleum-based Tedlar protective material will undoubtedly be interested in this development," added Dr. Lee.
_________________________________
Take that DuPont. Clean, renewable, efficient, and economical solar energy. That IS the future.BioSolar surprised attendees at the SPIE Symposium on Solar Applications and Energy in... more
-
-
this is interesting to my mind, because on base: how can the area logistics organization of hungarian logistics association (HLA) working for the better citylogistics solution?!
Thematic focus: freight logistics in small and medium sized cities. Approaches, solutions and success factors.
For example: At the international workshop key representatives from Eastern and Western Europe will provide an extraordinary insight into approaches and initiatives taking place in small and medium sized cities. The workshop hosted by the South-Transdanubian Organization of HLA (in brief: kaposlogisztika) and the City of Kaposvar.this is interesting to my mind, because on base: how can the area logistics... more
-
-
Sunrise Solar has announced the introduction of a Solar Light Brick for the integration of solar technologies into traditional construction materials.
This innovative technology includes advanced solar cells, an energy storage device and a crystal lighting system that surrounds the energy module in a square or rectangle.
The imbedded solar cell generates electricity when the sun shines and stores it in the storage device. The light is automatically activated after dark. The solar brick can be designed to light in any color.
Potential applications include rural airfields, building lighting, safety lights and decorative lighting. The solar brick can operate without any connection to the electrical grid and can be imbedded in construction materials.
"As we continue to introduce innovative solar products that deliver dynamic energy solutions that can be applied today, we are proud to introduce the 'solar light brick'," said Mr. Eddie Austin, Chairman and CEO of Sunrise Solar Corp.
"This creative product can provide lighting and decoration with no connection to a power grid and can be imbedded in a wall or concrete slab as an integrated part of the structural design."
*******
Imagine the possibilities.
Sunrise Solar has announced the introduction of a Solar Light Brick for the... more
-
-
Al Gore came to Washington in July to issue a challenge to the country: create a new energy economy that will generate 100 percent of America's electricity from clean sources within 10 years. Now the former vice president’s advocacy group, the Alliance for Climate Protection, has launched a new TV ad to spread the message to Olympics viewers.
The group debuted "Switch" (subscription) on NBC during Monday's coverage of the Games; the spot will continue to air on NBC and USA Network through next week.
As in the group's first TV ad, actor William H. Macy narrates and soothing music creates an upbeat tone to promote the group's message: "Together we can solve the climate crisis." Americans from different walks of life are shown coming together to help each other turn on giant light switches -- one in the desert, one in a field, one at a factory and one in the middle of a city.
Macy lays out some of the vast challenges facing the country: "a weaker economy, soaring gas prices, growing dependence on foreign oil and a worsening climate crisis." But, he says, "there’s a bold new solution for all of these challenges." He presents Gore's plan to create clean electricity as a way to combat both economic and national security threats. "All we need is your help," he says, encouraging viewers to "join the more than one million people who are already demanding we switch on a brighter future."
“The Olympics are a time for all Americans to reflect on our nation’s achievements and what we as a people can do together," Alliance for Climate Protection CEO Cathy Zoi said in a press release announcing the ad. "Choosing the right path and re-powering our nation is something we can do, and something that will benefit us all.”
For all the money the group is pouring into its public outreach effort, however, recent polling data suggests that Americans' attention is not squarely focused on climate change issues. With the election and economic problems occupying the media spotlight, the number of Americans who say they consider global warming an important issue to them personally has fallen 5 percentage points since 2007 to 47 percent.
Al Gore came to Washington in July to issue a challenge to the country: create a new... more
-
-
Led by Dr Jean-Benoit Charrassin, a marine biologist at the Natural History Museum in Paris, researchers in France, the UK, Australia and the US have attached electronic dataloggers to 70 seals at the four most important breeding colonies of southern elephant seals.
The animals can dive as deep as 2km in search of food while ranging across much of the Southern Ocean. The transmitters feed data about the ocean back to the researchers
Thanks to the technology, the only remaining area with limited coverage is the Pacific sector, which contains no islands for the seals to breed on.
Prof Fedak said: "I think this is an extremely exciting new approach for ocean observation which has now been extended to seals roaming the seas around both Poles."
The team behind the on-going MEOP project (Marine Mammals Exploring the Oceans Pole to Pole), which has equipped 100 seals of three polar species with oceanographic sensors, said the animals routinely send large quantities of near real-time information from the undersampled polar regions.
Prof Fedak added: "The MEOP animals have contributed over 35,000 observations from the polar seas in the past year, and I think it is really fantastic to see how large a contribution the animals can make, sending data from below the ice in near real time.
"The idea that these animals have become our partners in providing real time data about the state of our climate while simultaneously helping us to understand their ecological requirements has captured the imagination of biologists, oceanographers and the public."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enlisting the aid of other species to help humans find the answers and solutions to the climate crisis and its effects on the ocean will hopefully in the end benefit all species who depend on it for existence. I think that is pretty wonderful.Led by Dr Jean-Benoit Charrassin, a marine biologist at the Natural History Museum in... more
-
