NerdBeach

Solar Powered Christmas Tree Lots


Most people do not relate solar power to the idea of a Christmas Tree. In fact, it is often thought that holiday decorations actually waste energy (and you Scrooges know who you are). But Stellar Solar just might change your view on the matter.

Teaming up with the Purdy Farms Christmas Trees, the innovative solar power company provides the energy expertise to power the tree lot's lights and power equipment. The energy comes from a giant mobile photovoltaic (PV) solar panel at the lot site. With luck, this might start a trend for all kind of seasonal and small businesses. Besides, it would seem that having a mobile power source is not only easier on the planet, but it eliminates the need for a power feed at the site. Everyone wins.

 

 

via solarpanelspower

Solar Power

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Sunlight can be converted directly into electricity using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly with concentrated solar power (CSP), which normally focuses the sun's energy to boil water which is then used to provide power. Other technologies also exist, such as Stirling engine dishes which use a Stirling cycle engine to power a generator. Photovoltaics were initially used to power small and medium-sized applications, from the calculator powered by a single solar cell to off-grid homes powered by a photovoltaic array.

source:wikipedia 

 

Solar Window Panes with USB Charging Ports

Have a room that has sunlight streaming in, casting shadows across the floor?  Well, Tokyo-based Nihon Telecommunication System Inc. thinks you should put that energy to work instead of just letting it lay there.

The company has developed window panes that not only generate power with an efficiency of 7 to 8%, it also cuts down on 90% of sunlight, making it easier to cool the room.  On a good day, the built in photo voltaic (PV) cells in the window panes can generate up to 70 watts of electricity per square meter of glass.  The company figures that this should be enough to charge a small PC or mobile device, and USB ports for charging are provided.

As with any kind of renewable power source there is a price, and Nihon has set an average  price of $1,900 per square meter.  But the demand is in place, and they expect expect to sell 10,000 window panes annually.  I can definitely imagine the window panes being used in select areas of a building as a "green" PR effort, but at that price I am not sure it would be practical elsewhere. 

via