greenlandoceanblue » Solar Power

I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the sun's energy. If sunbeams were weapons of war, we would have had solar energy centuries ago ~ George Porter

waltwang08 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:29:27 +0000

We missed a rather significant bit of architectural news in our green building posts last week. The “largest solar-powered office building in the world“ was recently completed in Dezhou, China. The design of the Sun-Moon Mansion is based on the sun dial and “underlines the urgency of seeking renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.” Aside from the obvious sustainable nature of the solar panel-clad exterior, other green features include advanced roof and wall insulation practices resulting in an energy savings of 30% more than the national standard.

A good home must be made, not bought ~ Joyce Maynard

waltwang08 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:13:46 +0000

The Roundhouse is “an eco-home of wood frame, cobwood and recycled window walls, straw-insulated turf roof; with solar power and wind turbine for electricity, compost toilet and reed beds for grey water. “ For over 10 years, it has faced demolition after the Pembrokeshire (UK) Coast National Park Authority claimed it threatened biodiversity. Huge public support, however, helped lead to a 2008 decision to permit several low impact roundhouses and the project continues to survive.

He who would travel happily must travel light  ~ Antonine Marie Roger de Saint-Exupery

waltwang08 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:01:58 +0000

voltaic backpack on camel in gobi desert, originally uploaded by this is emily

The Voltaic solar bags are solar chargers designed to charge virtually all handheld electronics. Embedded in the outside of these solar chargers are lightweight, tough, waterproof solar panels. The new Generator produces up to 15 watts, powerful enough to fully charge a typical laptop from a day of direct sunlight. The smaller bags produce 4 watts of power so 1 hour in direct sun will power over 3 hours of iPod play time or 1.5 hours of cell phone talk time. Visit voltaicsystems.com for more information.

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves ~ James Matthew Barrie

waltwang08 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:18:59 +0000

Europe’s first commercially operating power station generates 11 Megawatts (MW) of electricity without emitting a single puff of greenhouse gas. Ultimately, the entire plant should generate as much power as is used by the 600,000 people of Seville, Spain.

More information here.

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why oh why can't I? ~ E.Y. Harburg

waltwang08 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:13:37 +0000

daring old man in his flying capris.., originally uploaded by torontofotobug

Odysseus, a solar airplane entered in a competition to build an atmospheric satellite that can stay aloft for five years at a time with little or no maintenance, is a 492-foot-wide folding aircraft that can cruise at 140 mph at 70,000 feet for five years straight, powered by the solar panels that cover the top of the plane.