“Middle Of the Road and Off the Grid.” You could call them Moogs, Wired coins the term “hygrid”. Ordinary households across the US are aiming for energy independence with solar power, wind turbines and wood burning stoves. They’re still connected to the power lines, because sometimes they can’t produce quite enough power and sometimes they have a surplus to sell back, but their bills have plummeted.

This is energy policy I want to see my government backing. One or two Smith or Patel families in each neighbourhood slashing their energy bills by over a half would do more to speed uptake of energy saving and micro generation than any amount of woolly promises Tony could make. Once again- don’t waste money trying to sell nuclear power- fund a few power stations in Acacia Avenue and see the benefits roll in.

Technorati tag: Micro generation, Hygrid, self sufficiency, Technorati tag: Solar Power

The four flat block at 56 Tomlins Grove, E3 is very nearly self sufficient energy wise. The building has a silent wind turbine on the roof, solar panels and a conservatory for each flat that acts as a miniature power station.

Technorati tag: Energy Efficiency, Green building, Solar Power

The perfect solution for medium length commutes (between 10 and 20 miles as far as I’m concerned)- an electric scooter with added solar panels so it can recharge during the day. The owner reckons the solar cells generate enough charge over the 9 hours he’s in the office to half top up the batteries.

Technorati tag: Electric scooter, Transportation, Technorati tag: Solar Power

No website for this, so, from the press release–

In an effort to promote environmental consciousness among NYC businesses, Habana Outpost is pioneering the use of solar panels as a primary energy source, and green products whenever possible (everything from eco-friendly detergents to environmental wood alternative wood benches).

(PRWEB) April 21, 2005 — Cafe Habana is opening an outpost and new location on saturday, May 21, 2005 and run to Halloween from 12-8pm. Located at 755-757 Fulton Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, the Outpost will include indoor and outdoor spaces.

The launch of Habana Outpost: Brooklyn, a new venture by entrepreneur/restauranteur, Sean Meenan (owner of Nolita’s Cafe Habana), the Outpost’s patented and famous grilled corn and other Cuban favorites, will be served to you from the Habana food truck. You have your choice to eat inside, or on the spacious patio. In an effort to promote environmental consciousness among NYC businesses, Habana Outpost is pioneering the use of solar panels as a primary energy source, and green products whenever possible. Everything from eco-friendly detergents to environmental wood alternative wood benches.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Environmental business

One knock on effect of the dot-com bust was an oversupply of polycrystalline silicon. The low prices gave a boost to the photovoltaic industry and increased margins and profits even as unit prices came down. Now, however, the price is on the way up again. The industry has two factors protecting it, the fact that a great deal of solar power installation is legislated for or subsidised and the increase in efficiency and systems that use no silicon at all.

Because of all the reselling, reprocessing, and recycling in the silicon industry, silicon producers don’t keep track of what happens to the silicon once they sell it, he said. “No one on the planet understands what is happening with the silicon supply,” [Rogol] said.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, Polysilicon

Mother Earth News on the quest for cheap net-zero-energy houses.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Technorati tag: Solar Power

A new building on Napier University’s Merchiston Campus is to have solar panels installed on one wall that will power 80 of the building’s 500 PCs and sell electricity to the grid on the days the building is empty.The University is also going to be using the array to research the efficiency and effectiveness of the panels.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Green Building

This is the sort of thing I hope Tony means when he goes on about “sustainable public procurement“. Seaton primary school in Devon has installed solar and wind power generators, which not only cover the shool’s own energy needs but can also feed power back to the grid.

Technorati tag: Sustainable Development, Solar Power, Wind Power, Education

A selection of US based, but no doubt useful, photovoltaic links.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic

A new plastic that can be applied as a layer on fabric can convert up to 30% of sunlight to electricity. The inventor sees a way to power mobile devices with the clothes we wear.

via Imprinted

Technorati tag: Solar Power

Land has been purchased- 25,000 acres in Australia- for the world’s first large scale Solar Tower, generating electricity by heating air and funneling it up a kilometre high chimney to drive wind turbines.

Technorati tag: Solar Power

Carbon nanotube towers could boost the efficiency of photovoltaic cells.

via Slashdot

Technorati tag: Solar Energy, Photovoltaic, Carbon nanotube

The Channel 4 wesite has a page listing the companies involved in builds on Grand Designs. This one is particularly useful, being about the underground house built in Cumbria.

A specific link, for later reference as the site is currently under construction, Sundog Energy– providers of solar panels based in Penrith.

Technorati tag: Solar Power

It’s possible to retro fit almost any building with solar panels. Take the example of Manchester’s CIS tower- soon to have them on all 400 feet of its service tower.

Technorati tag: Solar Power

For years the complaint about roof mounted photovoltaic panels has been that they’re ugly and potentially damaging. But now several companies are bringing out panels that can be fitted as roof tiles. Wired reports on them.

Technorati tag: Solar Power