Monday, June 16, 2008

PowerPly Self Adhesive Solar Panels - just peel off the backing and stick to your roof

FROM BLOG: The Red Ferret Journal - Gadgets, cool sites, tech news and trivia


Powerplystickysolartiles

Power-Ply 380 Peel and Stick Solar Panels. Lumeta’s new Teflon coated self adhesive solar tiles are super sensible. A goodly part of the cost of installing solar panels lies in the infrastructure needed to keep everything safe, so anything that removes that cost is a Good Thing. With this stuff all you do is remove the sticky back plastic and attach the panels to your roof. Of course anyone who has ever tried to install adhesive bathroom tiles knows that this is a gross simplification, but let’s keep dreaming for a while shall we?

Powerplystickysolartiles2

The company claims that using these 8 x 4 foot tiles will reduce installation costs by 70%, although we’re not told how their efficiency compares with conventional panels. Oh and did we mention it’s designed for flat roofs only? [Via Wired]

Its unique design combines high-efficiency cell technology with direct roof application to maximize energy generation for a given roof area. In addition, it eliminates the need for racking systems or other mounting structures that penetrate the roof, resulting in faster installations and less distractions for building owners.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Next Generation Wind Turbine Unveiled Which Supposedly Breaks $1 a Watt Barrier

BroadStar Wind Systems has unveiled its “next generation” wind turbine in Houston.

According to BroadStar, the turbine produces 250kW for $250,000, which would break the $1 a watt barrier.

The company spent four years researching and patenting the product, and is in talks to place the product with two different Fortune 100 companies.

The parallel rotor blades of the AeroCam wind turbine make it look significantly different from conventional turbines, and according to BroadStar, significantly cheaper. The design is also more 30% smaller than conventional turbines, and therefore can be discretely enclosed in a less obtrusive way.

The AeroCam has a horizontal axis with multiple blades, giving it the appearance of a water wheel.

The major innovation in the design, however, is the ability to automatically and interactively adjust the pitch or angle of attack of the aerodynamic blades as the turbine rotates, thereby optimizing its performance for much the same reasons a bird changes the shape of its wing in flight.

Also, because AeroCam is smaller and sits on the ground, it takes up much less space than would a conventional turbine.

The company says that they are probably 6 months away from production.

FROM BLOG: Thoughts on Global Warming - News, opinion and analysis of global warming, alternative energy and the green movement.