love Europe in that special way only someone who’s lived exclusively in the United States for 25-odd years really can. Yet another fabulous reason to love Europe are these solar powered light trees, spotted last October in Vienna (as well as in Milan in November and December). Designed by Ross Lovegrove, each tree has 10 branches, and each branch has a solar cell (artemide polycrystalline solar cells by Sharp) “petal” on top. During the day, the petals charge built-in batteries, and as soon as the sun goes down, LEDs under the petals light up, providing efficient and cost effective street lighting, especially since the installation costs are minimal (no wiring necessary). The trees are able to provide light even after several consecutive cloudy days, although there aren’t any specifics on how much power the panels generate.

thanks Evan!

Apparently, this billboard in San Francisco isn’t just hype: it is, in fact, a power plant, using 20 solar panels to generate more electricity during the day than it consumes lighting itself at night. On a sunny day, the billboard generates 3.4 kilowatts of energy, which is just about enough juice for a family of four during the day. If it’s cloudy, the output drops to 2.5 kilowatts. PG&E does not, of course, say how much the solar panels cost to buy, install, and maintain. My guess is that it’s in the “you’ll recoup the cost in a decade or so” range. Still, since we’ve got ugly billboards set up all over the place anyway, wouldn’t it be great if they could be put to some practical use besides annoying consumers out of purchasing whatever they happen to be advertising?

thanks Ohgizmo for the info

Elan’s new Vero ENB-100 device is, according to them, the"world’s first solar-powered Bluetooth hands-free car kit. As long as there is available sunshine, you are good to go. At night, you have 15 hours of operation on a single charge. Get it in the UK only for £60 (or about $120).

I thought a donkey cart was, well…. donkey-powered, but Wheel and Water has other ideas. These solar powered Human and Animal Powered Vehicles, or HAPPYs, that are based around a solar panel and a 12-volt battery, a power supply robust enough to power a cell antenna, water filtration system, emergency lights, and a small neon tube — enabling the HAPPY to support several families in a rural setting or serve as an income-generating kiosk in a more urban environment.

Solar "trees" are about to be unveiled in Vienna, Austria at the MAK Museum on October 8th. This latest from K Museum on October 8th. It’s just the latest from Ross Lovegrove who worked with Italian lighting Co. Artemide and Sharp Solar.