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solar power

Changers Lets You Reap Financial, Social Rewards For Using Solar Power

Don't keep your solar user in the dark. Changers--a small solar panel you can use to charge your gadgets--wants to make your energy savings public and competitive.READ»

The Empowerhouse: An Affordable, Energy-Efficient Home Built By College Students

This home costs less than $250,000, uses 90% less energy than a standard U.S. home--and was built by a group of college students.READ»

Solar-Powered Water ATMs Provide Clean Drinking Water To The Thirsty

In remote areas where clean water is scarce, Sarvajal's water-dispensing ATMs provide a cheap solution.READ»

Where Can You Put Solar Panels? Almost Anywhere You Want

They work when they're cold, when there is no sun, and facing almost any direction. Perhaps it's time to reconsider a few solar myths?READ»

Why Governments Shouldn't Pick Commercial Winners

We already have private sector businesses with solutions that are scaling rapidly. The scary thing is that governments do not know who they are, and therefore have no good way to coordinate with them.READ»

Sun-Less Solar Cells Could Make Energy From Anything Hot

Photovoltaic cells that convert heat, not sunlight, to electricity may turn out to be the solution for capturing all the energy we waste through heat.READ»

Lighting Africa Illuminates A New Market

An innovative program aims to light up off-the-grid Africa by boosting supply and demand for portable solar lamps.READ»

Solar Electric Cells Have A Surprising Benefit: Cooling

Solar panels give you clean energy, yes, but it turns out that's not all. Just by putting them on the roof, you'll start saving cash on your cooling and heating bills.READ»

The Sun's Heat: Now On Demand

Nanotechnology makes the seemingly impossible true: Trapping the sun's heat for release later, whenever and wherever you need it.READ»

Lasers Create Interactive Solar Map For New York

Now New Yorkers can see exactly how much solar power each roof could generate. Will that info spur solar installations like it has in other cities?READ»

D.Light Launches An Ultra-Cheap Solar Lantern For Studying

Have you ever tried studying in the dark? How about studying in the midst of noxious fumes? It's not the best educational environment. READ»

New Super-Powered Solar Panels Are Drastically More Powerful

They could capture nearly all of the sun's light, as opposed to just 20%. Does this make all our old solar panels obsolete?READ»

Why Big Oil's Purchase Of Solar Is A Good Thing

The hook-up between Sunpower and oil giant Total shows that the solar industry has become a significant part of the mainstream energy industry.READ»

Why Google Is Investing $168 Million in a Giant Solar Farm

BrightSource just finalized $1.6 billion in loans from the U.S Department of Energy as well as a $168 million investment from Google. What's the search giant interested in?READ»

The Solar Industry Responds to Claims of Supply-Chain Dirtiness

After we wrote about how many solar panel makers fared badly on The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition's Solar Scorecard, the Solar Energy Industries Association nearly fell over itself to respond, telling us that the solar industry is cleaning up its act--and fast. READ»

What Happens When Solar Power Is as Cheap as Coal

Bad things are generally cheaper: Like Big Macs. Or H&M. Or coal power. But new research suggests solar power is going to be the wallet-friendliest power option as early as 2013. Time to get into the solar-panel business...READ»