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Tree Lights

Nerd Grind — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:50:38 +0000

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!

Solar Ads

Nerd Grind — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:52:52 +0000

Apparently, this billboard in San Francisco isnâ€™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 itâ€™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 itâ€™s in the â€œyouâ€™ll recoup the cost in a decade or soâ€ range. Still, since weâ€™ve got ugly billboards set up all over the place anyway, wouldnâ€™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

Solar Power Calling

Nerd Grind — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:35:11 +0000

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 Â£60 (or about $120).

Solar-Powered Donkey Cart

Nerd Grind — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:45:00 +0000

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

Nerd Grind — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:06:59 +0000

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.

1.3 Megawatt Solar Stadium

Nerd Grind — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 23:46:53 +0000

Switzerland is going green

The world’s largest solar stadium located in Bern, Switzerland began operation this week. The Stade De Suisse has 10,738 solar cells from Kyocera with an overall output of 1.3 megawatts of power. That equals 350 four-person households.

The additional bonus is reducing CO2 emissions by 630 tons annually.

Bend It, Stretch It, Stick It On and It Still Provides Power

Nerd Grind — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:20:31 +0000

It’s basically paper-based battery technology, using carbon nanotubes and an electrolyte embedded in the paper. It’s scalable, and could conceivably be bent into any shape. Connected to solar cells, it could provide on-the-go power to just about anything. With flexible screens and nano devices of all sorts, one day we’ll just roll our computers up and stick ‘em in our back pockets. All thanks to researchers like those at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute.

Solar Powered Fun

Nerd Grind — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:42:34 +0000

Having a large vehicle that guzzles up fuel like there’s no tomorrow sucks. The Sunforce 60W solar charger helps alleviate some of your guilt as it is capable of charging a 12V battery and comes with a 175W inverter for you to power a portable coffee maker or TV whenever you’ve ventured into the great outdoors. The Sunforce measures 54" x 42" X 12" and weighs in at 60 lbs., making it rather hefty to transport around (while consuming even more fuel when you’re carrying something so heavy). If you’re keen on some clean portable electricity, be prepared to pony up $400 for one of these.

Solar Panels at Stadiums

Nerd Grind — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:39:58 +0000

They should have done this a long time ago. With all that direct sun real estate at stadiums, installing solar panels is so logical.

AT&T Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants, is now sporting 590 Sharp solar panels producing 120-kilowatts of electricity. That equals about 40 residential solar systems.

Now we need more to pick up the idea and run with it.

World’s Largest Solar Farm Coming to California

Nerd Grind — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:35:28 +0000

San Francisco’s Cleantech America is planning to build the world’s largest solar farm spanning 640 acres and to be 17 times larger than the current largest US solar farm.

It will generate enough power for nearly 21,000 homes and be sold to the Kings River Conservation District, a public agency that purchases power for 12 cities and two counties in California’s Central Valley.

NerdGrind - How-to Computer Help - Tutorials - Tech and Gadget News » solar

Tree Lights

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