Hack an Ikea Solar Lamp to Charge an iPad [Weekend Project]

Hack an Ikea Solar Lamp to Charge an iPad [Weekend Project]:

In the past we've covered how to turn the inexpensive Ikea Sunnan solar lamp into a solar display case and today we have a hack from electronics manufacturer Voltaic Systems to turn the same lamp into a solar charging station for an iPad or other power-hungry phone or tablet. More »

Solar Powered Airplane Flies for 26 Hours Straight

Solar Powered Airplane Flies for 26 Hours Straight: "

Photo via the NY Times

A solar-powered airplane piloted in Switzerland has just made a landmark achievement: It flew for well over 24 hours straight, continuing on its journey well after the sun went down. The story is making headline news all around the world, and for good reason -- it's a powerful example of the vast potential held by renewable energy. ...Read the full story on TreeHugger

More Solar Chargers Out There

SolarFold and SolarFan Use Thousands of Tiny Spheres to Charge Your Gadgets:

Image via Engadget

Two new foldable solar chargers from AmbienTech have hit the market. But...They look a little odd, right? That's because they're the first mobile chargers to use spherical solar cells. Each cell has around 1,900 spheres collecting solar energy. They're strong, bendable, and just look cool.

...Read the full story on TreeHugger

Solar Egg can't arrive soon enough

Engadget has another great solar charger listed as arriving soon.

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XPAL's Solar Egg charges to 90% in four hours of mild sunlight:

Unlike many solar devices that require an abundance of intense sunlight to be useful, XPAL's new Solar Egg does its thing even in 'medium levels of natural light.' The magic SunBoost solar conversion technology is supplied by a company called Intivation from The Netherlands, a country that's not exactly know for its tropical weather. XPAL claims that the internal 500mAh battery can be charged at over 90% capacity in just four hours of average sunlight exposure and can detect a 'wide range of devices' like MP3 players and digital cameras to provide the appropriate level of power for charging. It'll ship next month to select regions -- where that is we can only guess for now.
Continue reading XPAL's Solar Egg charges to 90% in four hours of mild sunlight

Elegant Solar Chargers

DesignBoom has a great story on a very elegant and functional solar charger for your electronic devices. It's called a Sunny Flower and comes from designer Fandi Meng.

Small Wind Turbines

CNet has a good article on small wind turbines.

If we could only purchase a couple of these and put them on the roof next to our solar panels that plug directly into our electric meter.

Until we upgrade the grid, and how homes connect to that grid, we will always have problems with alternative forms of energy. Google has some great ideas on how to fix this issue.

When we can see just how much power we are wasting, we will really be able to start conserving.

Space Based Solar Power

I have always thought this was a good idea. Looks like I missed the boat, again. Slashdot has this great story on Space Based Solar Power. Here is the direct link.

Solar Phone Charger

I need to put this on my "cool items just out of my comfort zone for impulse buys" list of things to purchase. Solar Cell Phone Charger

First Solar Could Have the Answer

According to Slashdot, there is a small company in Arizona that could have the answer to solar energy dilemma.

Solar Power from Window Curtains

Solar Power from window curtains seems like a great idea for any home.

I just don't understand why they can't get more technology like this into homes. People are eager to live "green", why can't companies figure this out? Where are the plug-in solar panels for my roof?

That is the problem someone needs to figure out. How does the average consumer transfer energy from DIY solar to "the grid"? Most people are not willing to deal the maintenance and dangers associated with large battery farms.