George Dearing dot com

GE Testing Energy Efficiency Of Smart Homes

"The $5 million Department of Energy program will equip homeowners in the western U.S. with GE's Nucleus home electricity management system, with LED lighting, and with connected appliances. Homes will also be equipped with solar panels.
The project will evaluate whether the combination of on-site power production through solar and energy management technology can reduce energy usage by 70 percent in both new and existing homes, according to GE.
Basing calculations on U.S. averages of about 11,000 kilowatt-hours of power consumption per year and a rate of 11.33 cents per kilowatt-hour, the savings from a 70 percent reduction would be over $850 a year."

Filed under  //   energy+efficiency   renewable+energy   smart+homes   solar  

Mars technology creates self-dusting solar panels

"Dust deposits can reduce the efficiency of electricity generating solar panels by as much as 80%."

Filed under  //   solar  

Solar-powered lighting in the garden

"..future, however, looks very bright indeed. There is a myriad of uses for solar-powered energy in the garden, where getting a mains service is fiddly or expensive. You can, for example, place a solar panel on your shed or outdoor office roof and power full-on interior lighting with it (see crocus.co.uk for a decent kit, starting at £69). "

Filed under  //   solar  

What if Solar Power Grew as Fast as Facebook? [Infographic]

Filed under  //   1BOG   renewable+energy   solar  

11th semi-annual World Solar Challenge

"The 11th semi-annual World Solar Challenge (first run in 1987) takes place in Australia next October, and it's a cross-country race for whimsical solar vehicles that are like giant solar panels with wheels."

Filed under  //   renewable+energy   solar   sustainable+transportation  

Ford Dumps SUV Strategy, Opts For Solar Hub To Charge EVs

"The set-up is meant to make Ford's operations cleaner and serve as a smart-grid test case. Installation for the system, which will cost $5.8 million, is scheduled to start later this year.."

Filed under  //   EVs   Ford   solar  

Silo House at Cornell University

Filed under  //   solar   sustainability  

[nice] City of Austin installs 500 solar-powered parking meters

The city of Austin this week is installing 500 solar-powered parking meters.

The project is part of the transportation department's comprehensive parking technology upgrade that commenced last August.

Filed under  //   Austin   solar   technology  

This Looks Like A Good Deal For $80 -- Portable Solar Panel For Gadgets & Lighting

"The Sunbox USB has a panel that can be attached outside of a house or tent that connects to a box with several charging ports. Horizon claims the unit can power an LED light included with the device for as long as 11 hours, so long as the panel sees the six to eight hours of sun it needs for a full charge."

Filed under  //   renewable+energy   solar