Tag Archives: solar power

Net Zero Skyscraper For Jakarta

Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, Pertamina, began construction on its new headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia in January, 2014. Designed by US architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the 1740′ tall, 99-story net zero skyscraper will generate as much energy as it uses, have zero waste discharge, and feature reduced water demand. The architects say this is “the world’s first supertall…

Your Solar Panels Are Facing the Wrong Way

Conventional wisdom says that panels should be installed facing south to get the most solar exposure (in the northern hemisphere). South-facing panels create the most power in the morning and mid-day, but peak demand for electricity typically occurs in the late afternoon. Because of that, a number of solar experts have begun to say that…

Composite Material Reduces Cost of Solar Panels

Yingli Solar

Yingli Green Energy, the largest vertically integrated photovoltaic module manufacturer in the world, known as “Yingli Solar,” announced that they have successfully completed trial production of monocrystalline ingots for solar panels using new material technology. Instead of using traditional graphite crucibles when pulling monocrystalline ingots, Yingli experimented with crucibles made from a carbon-carbon (C-C) composite…

Do-It-Yourself Solar Power Kits Available on Amazon

Andalay Solar has just announced that it is making its do-it-yourself solar power kits available for sale on Amazon.  Now potential solar customers all over the US have an easy way to access the equipment necessary to get free electricity. Andalay’s AC (alternating current) solar system allows homeowners to install their own photovoltaic system, and…

IKEA Plugs-In Georgia’s Largest Private Solar Rooftop Array on Savannah Distribution Center

“Installing solar panels atop this facility demonstrates that the company’s sustainable commitment extends beyond our stores into all facets of the retail operations,” said William Jackson, Savannah Distribution Center Manager. “This solar array will reduce significantly the carbon footprint and electricity costs of this facility. We appreciate the continued support of the Chatham County, Georgia Power, and Gehrlicher Solar, our partners in this project.”

The Tesla Supercharger Network Revealed

Tesla Supercharger Station

On September 24th, Tesla Motors revealed that it had been hiding a bit of a secret. It seems that the much anticipated network of Tesla electric car charging stations was not only designed and ready for construction, but a mini-network of an initial six stations was already operational in California, having been built in secret.

Guest Post: Top 6 Useful and Portable Solar-Energy Powered Products

Have you missed an important call or appointment because while shopping all day long your cellphone runs out of battery and there’s no available electric outlet wherein you can recharge it? Have you ever wished you can bring your electric outlet (at home) to your camping site so that you will have no problems cooking your favorite camping foods?

Let Them Eat Cake and Build a Solar-Powered Recording Studio

Cake decided to use renewable energy source to produce their sixth album, “Showroom of Compassion” which debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200. The band installed 13 photovoltaic solar roofs on top of their recording studio in Sacremento, Calif.

“We hired a company with great experience and competence, Borrego Solar, and they set us up with a way to break away from our dependence on the city’s energy grid,” said members of the band, “Working on a new album, we feel satisfaction in the common denominator of together embracing the unlimited resource of the sun.”

Gelderloos’ Hybrid is a Self Sustaining Energy-Efficient Home

In Paradise Valley, Montana, experienced builder, Pouwel Gelderloos and family designed, built and are marketing the first “hybrid” house. It is a hybrid because it can be completely self-sustaining (off the grid) but is also connected to the grid incase the need should arise for additional energy sources.

The Ark: Hotel Concept of the Future

A futuristic hotel that can survive natural disasters and provide a healthy environment for its inhabitants is the idea behind Alexander Remizov’s “The Ark.”

Book Review: Off the Grid Homes – Case Studies for Sustainable Living

Off the Grid Homes combines beautiful images with technical information for sustainable homes. The book by architect Lori Ryker is less of a manual for systems to be used in off the grid homes (though it does include good information about the systems and strategies that are used in sustainable off the grid living) and…