Having spent a decent amount of time writing articles for Solar Gold Mine Digest and slicing my drive way off the green, I wanted to share a cool gadget/vehicle I just stumbled upon at CNET.News; The Solar Powered Golf Cart. Apparently a Florida-based company has created a street legal golf cart that runs on solar energy and is capable of speeds up to 65 mph. The cart runs for about $7,000 (of which $1,500 is due to the solar panel). I suppose if you are looking for simple sports gifts, you may want to pass this one by. 

As of the moment the golf cart can be found in a few retirement communities as well as some clubs in Arizona and South Florida. Personally, I wouldn’t mind having one to cruise around town down here in Texas. I mean, it wouldn’t be wise to take this cart on the highway, but at 35 mph. I think it might be fun to cruise down to the post office or maybe the local park and work on that horrid drive of mine.

Source: CNET.News

Over the last few years, the very definition of solar powered cars has changed dramatically. Sure, when we think of traditional solar powered “anything”, we imagine solar panels or photovoltaics etc., but as I mentioned earlier those perceptions are changing as is technology. The newest wave of solar powered vehicles are utilizing solar/electric power in order to function. Basically, homeowners are installing solar panels at home (usually above their garage or carport and using that technology to store electricity with which to charge their car in the morning. 

We all know that this technology isn’t new, but now more than ever more manufacturers are looking into implementing this new plug-in technology. Think about it, automakers are now able to shift focus away from all inclusive technology and focus more on supplemental applications. I mean, consider the cost of a new vehicle including some sort of solar array to power the vehicle. Granted, solar panels on your home will cost some cash, but for the automakers and homeowners it is really a win-win situation. 

With the current financial crisis taking its toll on many businesses, especially the automakers, it is cool to see that they are trying to find innovative ways to move their companies forward. My understanding is that the big three Detroit automakers are utilizing this technology in many new models, but I wouldn’t expect to see solar Ferrari parts anytime in the near future. Then again, if you could afford a Ferrari I suppose you wouldn’t be too concerned about the cost associated with solar anything. Regardless, there are a lot of cool new innovative vehicles moving out of the concept phase and into production. These are exciting new times for those of us interested in solar energy and applications.

Source: AboutMyPlanet.com

The solar power industry received a nice “bump” a few months ago when Utah scientists and solar power guru’s got together and announced that they believed they could successfully (cost effectively) compete with fossil fuels in regards to electricity generation. There project, taking place in the Great Basin Desert in California, utilizes extremely thin solar film lenses to collect energy then convert it into super-heated steam. The super heated steam would in turn be used to propel a turbine creating enough energy (in theory) to power the entire region (if of course enough of the lenses were set up and functioning at capacity).

The science behind it all isn’t new. Thin solar film was coined several years ago in Europe and has led to many other solar gadgets and applications, but hasn’t been implemented on any ambitious/large-scale projects that I am aware of. Honestly, I don’t think they have used this technology on anything larger than a pair of Nikon binoculars. I suppose only time will tell if this project will function at capacity and yield the results that so many i the community are hoping for. I for one, am excited to see that there are so many different people working together to find a solution to one of our times greatest crisis.

I was running a search for solar power educators and clinics in the Austin, TX area and came across a pretty cool site for the Solar Living Institute of Hopland, CA. Granted the institute isn’t located anywhere near Austin, TX, but it is really a really cool institution that offers all kinds of great educational seminars and classes for people interested in learning more about solar energy and its numerous applications and advantages.  

I’ve been interested in solar energy and applications for quite some time and even signed up for their newsletter. If you recall, a few months ago I wrote a post regarding SolFest which is a workshop, live music and awareness event sponsored by the institute. I’m definitely impressed with this organization and all the cool campaigns they partake in to increase awareness for the solar cause. Granted, they are a drop in the bucket in regards to all the great institutions out there raising awareness, but I like to think of them as a bottle of diet pills used to supplement all of the great information and applications out there.

 With the holiday season rapidly approaching, many people are looking to go energy independent not only in their lives but there children’s. Sundance Solar, a maker of solar and wind powered toys and gifts has a wide variety of cool ideas and toys for children. Imagine being able to teach your children about energy independence with remote control helicopters, race cars and hobby kits!  

Some of these toys are actually pretty cool and rather inexpensive compared to some of the alternatives out in the marketplace. I can’t think of a better way to teach children about alternative energy without cracking open a book or lecturing on the pros and cons of solar or wind power. The website is pretty cool and I would definitely recommend checking it out! Source: Sundance Solar 

SolFocus has recently announced that they have developed a new form of photovoltaic cell that will reduce overall costs while delivering more effective energy output levels. The array design features bowl-like mirrors that will focus energy directly onto a one-square-centimeter solar cell. By doing this, the cells will further concentrate the light nearly 500 times, thus improving the cells overall efficiency.

SolFocus expects that their first installation will be I place producing nearly 500 KW by the end of this summer. The company also suggests that power from their arrays will be as cheap as energy produced by more conventional means. This announcement could be just what this nation needs to hedge off dependence of foreign energy sources, try to think of it as drug rehab for the economy. Speaking of drug and alcohol rehab in regards to stemming dependence on foreign energy, SolFocus has announced their summer campaign may be drawing to a close, but there will be similar programs beginning this Autumn and continuing into the new year.

Source: TechnologyReview 

Researchers in the United Kingdom have begun a series of interesting solar paint experiments that may revolutionize how businesses (esp. warehouses) generate their power. Currently, scientists are developing a technique to paint solar cells onto the large steel sheets that cover buildings. With the development of this incredible new application, it might not be too long until we see additional applications within the home. Can you imagine an indoor passive solar design to harness energy. Imagine a refrigerator or countertop that could generate electricity. Who knows maybe someday we’ll see a solar cell system applied to your sink under the kitchen window. A series of solar powered Delta faucets might not be too far off thanks to the breakthroughs made by U.K. scientists. 

The paint is based on dye-sensitive solar cells that are designed to absorb light by speeding up electrons in the dye molecules which then jump across a layer of electrolyte ultimately transferring electricity into a collecting circuit. The process is still in development, and will likely be utilized at the production level in the steel mill instead of aftermarket as a “spread”.

Source: News Scientist Tech 

The implementation of a solar energy system can be a complicated task. Seeing as though this is still a relatively new concept, there is a shortage of experienced and trustworthy contractors. Imagine a contractor trying to sell you ball lock pins or something claiming it was an energy saving device. That is why I was interested to see that Wal-Mart has begun opening solar kiosks in some of their California Sam’s Club locations in a bid to simplify and streamline the solar implementation process. 

Whether or not “Sam’s Choice Solar” will be a reality, this is definitely a provocative step toward the future from a world leader in “an” industry. It will be interesting to see how far this concept will go and whether or not consumers will find implementation of a solar energy system easier than in the past.

Source: ecogeek 

In order to reduce nearly 2 tons of CO2 emissions annually, Fuel Miami LLC is implementing 600 solar powered bus shelters citywide. Granted, 2 tons of CO2 is just a drop in the bucket, but you’ve got to start somewhere. Claiming that the energy used to light bus shelters is often overlooked when trying to change the world, Fuel Miami LLC feels as though their move may influence others to begin similar projects. 

Unfortunately, there is speculation as to whether or not this is a viable plan due to not only graffiti and possible destruction of the stations but also theft of panels which would likely have a high “resale” value, though it would be strange walking into a pawn shop and seeing solar panels sitting next to snowmobile parts and jewelry, but you never know.

Source: ecogeek

Solarbuzz.com is a great resource for individuals and businesses that are interested in learning more about solar power, its applications and its future. Solar buzz also offers insight into groundbreaking technology as well as conference information from around the world. Conferences are held at a number of fine resorts and conference centers worldwide. Who knows, someday they may sponsor conferences at laughlin hotels or some other exotic hot-spot.

Being plugged in to the industry, Solarbuzz.com offers a number of great tools such as “Solar Buyers Guide” as well as customer tips and cost generators. There is also a lot of interesting and though provoking content, so take your time and explore the site. Solarbuzz.com is a must read for individuals looking to make the move to clean and sustainable solar power.

Source: Solarbuzz.com