It seems that South-East Asia is catching up fast with the marvels of eco-architecture that till now has been showcased in the dusty panorama of the Middle East. Singapore is leading the green trend in the region by adding more greenery to its delightful city structure. More designers and construction firms are being encouraged to design and develop sustainable and zero-energy buildings. Designed by TR Hamzah & Yeang and sponsored by the National University of Singapore, the “Ecological Design In The Tropics” (EDITT) is a building that has a brilliant cover of glittering green.

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When good old Arnie flexes his muscle behind something you know that he surely means it. Despite being the Governor of a state, this man is still as charming and as forthright as he used to be. When it comes to Solar Energy, Arnold has always stood firmly behind the green energy source and has always campaigned for it. It was no different at the 2008 Solar Power International conference in San Diego where Arnold told California not to look back on Solar Power despite the economic crisis that surrounds them.

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The human-pulled cycle rickshaw of India has earned itself quite a few brickbats from human rights activists. But, maybe its time to change the perception. Now, a state-of-the-art, solar powered version of the humble vehicle called ‘Soleckshaw’ is touted as the solution to India’s traffic and pollution troubles as well as an escape from backbreaking human toil.

Unveiled earlier this month in New Delhi, the Soleckshaw is actually a motorised cycle rickshaw that can both be pedalled the regular way or run on a 36-volt solar battery. Created by the Centre for Scientifc and Industrial Research, this little wonder is being experimented upon at Delhi’s oldest and busiest of areas, Chandni Chowk.

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A photovoltaic module is an interconnected assemblage of photovoltaic cells that are more commonly known as solar cells. In turn, an installation or assembly of photovoltaic modules or panels is known as solar panel. In October of 2008 at the Solar Power International show in San Diego, California, Schott Solar Inc. unveils its latest innovation: a new 225-watt, polycrystalline photovoltaic module. Dubbed Schott Solar Poly 225, this is state-of-the-art application for solar energy.

Schott Solar Inc is investing $100 million on a 200,000 square-foot factory for their newest photovoltaic module Albuquerque, New Mexico. The plant will focus on the production of the company’s 225-watt photovoltaic modules and receivers for concentrating solar thermal power plants.
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While traditional solar panels are flat, the Solyndra solar panel system is cylindrical. The old flat panels can get sun rays only at an angle. The innovative cylindrical ones can capture the power of the sun at multiple angles. The result is amazing: more watts per square foot than the old flat panels. That amounts to maximum harvest of solar energy. Installation also comes at greater comparative ease that reduces cost for the user as well. Solyndra is clearly a cost-efficient product all throughout, in both reduced installation cost and more efficient power generation with the use of solar energy.

With Solyndra solar panels, sunlight is more efficiently transformed into electricity because the cylindrical solar cells catch the sun’s rays from a 360-degree photovoltaic surface. The effect is direct conversion because of more effective diffusion and reflection of sunlight. Additionally, Solyndra panels are packed more tightly on horizontal mounting. This means better and more significant coverage of roof space. The result is more solar electricity.
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Imagine, traveling with stored up energy at your disposal. We have to thank Echarger and their ultra-cool Solar Bags for that. Yes, the latest in energy efficient fashion accessories, these attractive bags are fitted with powerful solar panels.

So, the sun’s rays are nicely soaked up and stored in a battery which is ready to use for charging any mobile device during an emergency. Wow! Now if the dropped jaw is ready for more, well the stored up solar energy can easily be buffered for upto three months. That means, even on days when the sun is hiding behind the clouds, you can still rely on its energy.

All that said the Solar Bags do not look nerdy. In fact, the hip colors, varying styles to suit every thinkable requirement, storage space, waterproof quality make them a must-have. So next time you out camping or on a business meeting, do not fret if your mobile phone runs out of battery because Solar Bags ‘hai na’!

Via Echarger

The automobile industry has embraced the change to green technology more willingly than any other sector. As a mainstream industry that affects our life on a daily basis, car makers across the world have made a conscious and deliberate effort to take the green movement forward and bring it closer to our lives. With dependence on fossil fuel becoming a dangerous liability, turning to clean electric vehicles is a welcome change. “Just” is a car produced by the Altran Group and it is both simple and subtle in its design and shape.

The concept car is filled with green features and what looks like a solar panel on its hood to power it to a certain extent. While the use of solar panel is not confirmed, that seems to be pretty much the way to go with this car. The interior looks classic in style and design and the seating is fit for four. While the vehicle surely meets the modern environment standards, it is the distinct and special hood that gives it its unique design. Cool, comfortable and clean- Just is a vehicle of the future.

Via:� Tuvie/ Altran

Creating a sustainable infrastructure in remote areas across the world is a challenge faced by communities and governments constantly. This problem is magnified in continents such as Africa where the vast jungles and the dense vegetation keep communities and villages isolated from the rest of the planet. While the entire continent is linked by satellite technology, it is the base stations that are missing. Envision Solar International’s LifeVillage Modular Concept aims at powering the remote areas to life using solar power.

The LifeVillage concept includes Envision Solar’s LifePort and LifePod modular steel-frame structures that are equipped with solar panels that provide between 1.5 and 4 kW of electricity. Energy storage is provided in the form of batteries to supply electricity outside of daylight hours. The LifeVillage also incorporates a self-contained water treatment unit to capture and reuse water. This technology can be used to power remote communities and help them flourish using clean energy.

Applications for the LifeVillage include the creation of medical clinics, schools, housing for doctors and teachers, cell, mobile telephone, radio, TV, Wi-Fi and WiMax facilities that are constantly powered by solar power. The technology is being tested in USA as we speak and will soon be tested on the West Coast of Africa. Cote d’Ivoire will be where it will make its debut and let us hope that it continues to spread across Africa from that isolate point.

Via:� Gizmag

Imitating nature, this may be called!! With Lianne van Genugte designing an automatic functioning device which lights up with the sun, technology seems to be going the nature way. Intertwined with flexible solar cells that receive power from the sun during the day this device provides shade to its owners or to portions of a house in need of protection from heat or bright light. This innovation has been selected as one of 64 finalists for the Golden Eye, the top award for which is to be given at Dutch Design Week in mid-October.
Though this is a step ahead towards optimum utilization of natural resources, it has its respective loop-holes. Automatic switching may lead in wastage of accumulated energy when not required. Besides this, it also requires a battery to store solar energy to reserve all the power for illuminating the nights followed by cloudy days.

Also such a solar guzzling shade can be utilized to power up few household gadgets. Like a flower opens to the sun, this device opens at daylight and closes at dusk.
Via EcoDesign

With soaring crude oil prices it seems that more and more people are inevitably turning towards alternate fuel. This is more or less an expected phenomenon and the green products industry is cashing in on the trend big time. More gadgets and chargers are coming out each day which either use solar power or wind energy. With automobile industry embracing changes both rapidly and effectively, we are hopefully heading towards clean and emission-free roads.

Following that trend is the new Solar Battery Charger from Coleman. The Coleman Solar Battery Charger rests on the dashboard or any part of the car where it can harness solar energy and trickle charge into the battery. Just leave it where there’s visible light and let it do the trick on your hibernating vehicle. The Coleman Solar Battery Charger is currently priced at $29.95.

The best part of this is that you can just park your car and by the time you are ready to go back home from work, you have completely replenished battery! This truly is a wonderful little gadget that should get popular pretty fast.

Via Goodcleantech