German manufacturer Sulfurcell has cladding modules with integrated solar cells. These modules consist of a hardened, frameless glass followed by an Indium based semiconductor layer connected to a solar module. Sulfurcell claims that the use of Indium allows the semiconductor layer to be 100 times thinner than conventional silicone wafers.

Each module has 82 semiconductor layers, all connected with integrated wiring. The hard glass frame is resistant to snow, hail, rain, wind and longterm UV radiation, allowing the system to last longer. Each of the solar cassettes is rear ventilated and has suppressed drainage channels to prevent any harm from rain water.

The manufacturer claims that these solar modules can be designed on to new buildings, and they may also be retrofitted on existing buildings. Since the modules are hung on a building’s exterior as a conventional cladding system, and are installed on a substrate, it is possible to use them on uneven structures.

Source: CleanTechnica

These solar panel clad racecars aren’t simply racecars, they also function as hallmarks of solar and electric vehicle technology, and also help spreading environmental awareness. Moreover, the technology developed could also find use in mainstream vehicles. The best example here would be the Chevrolet Volt, which benefited from the technology used in the Sunraycer from the 1987 World Solar Challenge.

Source: Inhabitat

Designers and architects Iosa Ghini Associati have proposed a solar powered monorail system for the city of Bologna, Italy. Called Energy Belt, the 5084 meter long system will connect the airport to the city center. The monorail will operate at heights varying from 7 meters to 25 meters, will have an intermediate stop at Lazzaretto, and will be entirely powered by solar energy collected by photovoltaic panels placed at the track’s southwest side to maximize energy gain.

Stations along the route have been designed to serve as vertical gardens, thus providing natural insulation, protection from the elements and filtering the air. The entire system has been designed to have minimum impact on the landscape. The system is fast, convenient and will provide commuters with a very viable alternative for travel on the said route.

During its lower positions, when the monorail is just 7 meters above the ground, the structure broadens to include pedestrian walkways, while as it goes higher, it turns sleek, and takes on a lightweight appearance. Another interesting aspect is the inclusion of a pass over a major motorway, creating a landmark, a visual treat and sort of a “city gate” in one graceful arc.

Source: Inhabitat

The vast expanse of the Sahara desert has since long been seen as an available source of solar energy that can be tapped. However, there isn’t much progress to show on the issue. Now the idea seems closer to reality with a German-led consortium of 12 companies that intends to harness the desert sun to power Europe.

The Desertec Industrial Initiative (DII) includes heavyweights like Siemens, E.ON, ABB, and Deutsche Bank. These, and the other organizations were brought together by an initiative of Munich Re. The plan is to supply 15% of Europe’s electricity by 2050. Energy tapped from the sun in the desert will be transported to Europe through power lines laid across the Sahara and the Mediterranean sea.

It is a huge project, with nearly 400 billion dollars investment, and the DII hopes to put the plan into action quickly, with the possibility of beginning supply by 2015. These solar plants will use Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) to generate energy. CSP has been in use for a long time, but it is the scope of this project that makes it newsworthy. DII says the North African governments have displayed a positive response for the initiative.

Source: Guardian

The Sun-Bag is rather straightforward in its approach, especially by proclaiming its solar powered status loud and clear. Its size is big enough to be of practical use, and it is actually more practical with the claim of being the “lightest solar energy bag available on the market.”

That claim assumes importance considering that the bag has to deal with solar panels, wires, batteries and the like. These things could make a bag rather heavy, but at 500 grams, the Sun-Bag won’t be much of a problem.

It certainly does not have killer looks, but then it isn’t ugly either. Also, it has customization options in form of availability in 37 colors and optional custom printing to go along.

The solar panels placed up front on the bag generate 1.4 Watts of power, which can be used to charge 5-Volt devices like mobile phones, mp3 players, cameras and the like. Sun-Bag comes carrying a price tag of US$150, even though it isn’t currently available in the US market.

Source: TreeHugger

There are a number of devices or solar chargers that offer to charge gadgets with solar energy. But most of them are impractical, to say the least. It is simply not possible or viable for most people to allow their gadgets to be placed in direct sunlight for the entire day. That is where the ReNu Modular iPhone charger scores, it does not require the user to keep the iPhone in the sunlight all day long to charge it.

The ReNu doesn’t have an extremely high efficiency or some hyper gadgetry to capture solar power quickly, but it does have a healthy dose of common sense. Rather than placing your iPhone in the sun all day long, you can ReNu solar panel in the sun to charge its batteries. It takes nearly 9 hours to charge completely in direct sunlight, and 20 hours in indirect sunlight. Once fully charged, this iPhone/ iPod dock can then be used for 7-8 hours of music. The device will cost $200 when it is available sometime next year, but the manufacturer is already taking preorders.

Source: Inhabitat

Suntech Power Holdings Company Limited says it has signed pacts with the governments of Shaanxi province and Qinghai province as well as the city governments of Shizuishan and Panzhihua to produce 1.8 gigawatts of solar power.

While the Shaanxi facility is planned to produce 300 megawatts of electricity, the other three projects will produce 500 megawatts of power each. Suntech Power said in a statement that the implementation of the 4 mega-projects is subject to permission from the National Development and Reform Commission and also subject to getting the necessary investment and financing.

According to an expert on solar power, the 4 projects of Suntech Power are still in the preliminary stages. They are very important however since the scale of solar projects in China will, on average, be much bigger than those in other countries.

In June 2009, Suntech Power Holdings Company Limited announced that it was planning to develop a 500-megawatt project in China’s Qinghai province.

Source: Reuters

Orange Solar Tent Concept

Orange got help from the famous American product design consultancy-kaleidoscope to develop a tent that uses coated solar threads fused with conventionally used fabric to take form. The solar threads nullify the usage of the heavy solar panels making the product light and ergonomic at the same time.

The triple-directional glides help the tent chase the sun throughout the day to ensure maximum storage of the solar energy. When it turns dark, the stored solar energy then gets converted into electrical form. The converted electricity uses a pouch circuit ready to power your appliances such as a mobile or a lappy.

Another highlight is the ‘glo-cation’ technology that lets the tent glow on receiving a text from a camper or when he approaches it courtesy of RFID. A special ground sheet is also powered by the stored energy to keep your floor warm. [via Ecofriend]

San Francisco Solar Powered Bus Shelter With Wi-Fi

By 2013, San Francisco is going to have 1100 solar-powered Bus Shelters installed throughout the city. This initiative can be the head start for other states and even nations to follow. There is hardly a flaw you can pick-beginning with the grassroots— as these shelters have been developed out of recycled material.

With a rolling red crest of photovoltaic panels on its top, the shelter will capture the solar energy that will power the intercom, the LEDs and the Wireless Routers. Apparently once all the 1100 shelters are in place, these routers would offer WiFi connectivity to the entire state.

As for the unused energy it’s not going to be wasted. It’s going to be transmitted to the grid for others to use. It’s definitely a small step, but it’s time for other states to look for similar plans.

[Inhabitat via Dvice]

Photos by Mike Chino and Ryan Hughes

Solar-powered Trash Compactors in Philadelphia

These new, landfill-crunching compacting bins are powered completely by the sun and are capable of receiving around 8 times as much waste as a regular trash can.

The bins, which some have nicknamed Big Belly, can actually save Phillie almost $12 million over a period of 10 years. Since the compacting bins need to be emptied only 5 times a week (as against regular bins which have to be emptied 19 times a week), the city can save hugely on staff time, fuel costs as well as greenhouse-gas emissions.

The first such Big Belly have been inaugurated recently by the Mayor between 15th Street and JFK Boulevard at JFK Plaza.

Over 500 such solar-powered trash compactors will be installed by July 2009, with 210 of them coming with an extra recycling bin component – which is a first for Philadelphia.

Apart from Philadelphia, these trash compactors have first been installed at the Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania, Chicago’s Millennium Park, and Boston’s Fen way Park.

[via Inhabitat]