The National Solar Tour provides solar-interested citizens an opportunity to view the real-life energy solutions people in their communities are deploying to save money, assert their energy independence and help the environment. Last year, 140,000 people in 49 states participated.

“After decades of development and growing numbers of installations, solar energy solutions have moved into the mainstream,” said ASES Executive Director Brad Collins. “Solar prices are 30% lower than we saw a year ago. State and federal incentives are gaining steam, and a new awareness surrounding how solar cuts energy costs, creates green jobs and improves property values is emerging,” he said.

“From Main Street to rural retreats, the National Solar Tour is changing how everyday folks view their energy choices. The National Solar Tour is a catalyst that’s accelerating the use of solar energy and energy efficient practices across America,” Collins added.

No longer price-prohibitive, solar electric and solar water-heating solutions are reaching middle America at an unprecedented pace. Those attending this year’s tour will discover a surprisingly diverse solar landscape – including solar-powered duplexes, houses, condos, businesses — even solar-powered funeral homes, schools, farms, courthouses and donut shops.

“With thousands of practical examples of how solar works in homes, businesses and public agencies similar to theirs, the National Solar Tour demystifies the allure of solar while inspiring people across the U.S. to harness its power and the many economic benefits it brings,” noted Charles Hanasaki, President of SANYO’s Energy USA Solar Division, a National Solar Tour supporter. SANYO produces the HIT Power® solutions which have some of the highest energy conversion efficiency ratings in the world.

“No other event in the nation brings the potent combination of neighbors, installers, business owners and related energy efficiency experts together to discuss the costs and benefits of solar energy across the U.S.,” Hanasaki said.

Solar tour locations, dates and times are listed by state at: www.NationalSolarTour.org. Those attending these open-house tours learn how to use solar and energy efficiency tactics to save on monthly utility bills, enjoy big tax incentives, improve property values, create a hedge against rising energy costs and help preserve the environment. ASES is providing “Get Started” solar guides to solar-inspired tour goers across the U.S.

Sustainable living expert Ed Begley, Jr., The Hollywood Star of Climate Change, says the lessons people take away from the tour are valuable for a variety of reasons.

“Sustainable living is not only good for the planet, it’s good for our wallets,” said Begley, whose recent book, “Ed Begley, Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living,” provides a plethora of practical tips on how to live a more efficient, earth-friendly life. “The National Solar Tour offers families an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with friends and neighbors who are reaping the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency each and every day. It’s a great way to get an up-close and personal perspective on how easy it can be to live the green life — and how rewarding.”

The National Solar Tour is a powerful collaboration of volunteers, industry experts, environmental groups, community coalitions, partner organizations and corporate and government sponsors, among them the U.S. Department of Energy, Conergy, the Sierra Club, Trina Solar, Apricus, BP Solar, Radiantec, Sanyo, Sun Crystals and Whole Foods Market. The event is coordinated nationally by the non-profit American Solar Energy Society.

One item on which this unusual complement of businesses, government agencies, educators and environmental groups (groups often at odds on myriad issues) can agree is solar’s place as an energizing force behind America’s desire for energy independence — and a vibrant clean energy economy.

“What ASES and its astounding network of clean energy enthusiasts have done to bring the benefits of solar energy to home and business owners across the U.S. is nothing short of remarkable,” notes Jyl Safier, Director of Marketing for Conergy, a Platinum National Solar Tour supporter who has sponsored the tour for three consecutive years. Conergy provides residential and utility-scale solar energy solutions to help customers cut energy costs, finance solar projects and reap rich cash and tax incentives.

“Solar energy,” Safier continued, “has evolved to the point where it’s not just good for the environment; it’s a cost-cutting, job-creating, business-savvy solution whose time has come.”

About the American Solar Energy Society
Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by more than 12,000 members, ASES’ mission is to speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. ASES advances education, research and policy, inspiring the nation to go solar. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, presents the National Solar Conference, rallies citizens to build a Solar Nation, and leads the National Solar Tour – the world’s largest grassroots solar event. www.ases.org

“People want affordable solar panels so they’re building their own to save. Our goal is to provide the public with inexpensive solar products enabling people to build their own solar panels. We’re mainly focused on providing affordable solar cells to the public and plan to carry many popular solar cell manufacturer brands in the near future,” said Nhia Moua, Founder & CEO of Solar-Deals.com, Inc.

The problem is commercial solar panels are still expensive and consumers are only looking for affordable products so they seek out other alternatives. They begin to search online for low-cost solar parts to build their own solar panels, but have a hard time finding the right products. Solar-Deals.com eliminates the hard work for the people by providing the right solar products at affordable prices so the people can proceed building their own solar panels.

Solar-Deals.com products include solar cells, DIY solar panel kits, and other solar accessories. Solar cells include 5″ monocrystalline solar cells and 6″ multicrystalline solar cells. DIY solar panel kits come in Starter Kits, for beginners interested in solar panels, and Advanced kits, for the experienced solar enthusiast. Solar accessories include tabbing wires, bus wires, rosin flux pen, and junction boxes, which are used to interconnect solar cells together and build the solar panel.

For beginners, solar cells are components made from silicon, the second most abundant element after oxygen. Solar cells are semiconductors which converts light directly into electricity. They are connected together and used inside solar panels to generate free electricity directly from the sun.

“The great thing about solar panels is you can generate free electricity from the sun. A person can connect their solar panel to a battery and power inverter then use the AC outlet to plug in their electronics. This setup allows the person to power electronics such as their laptop or other small devices. Solar panels can also provide electricity for RVs, boats, and outdoor appliances. There are unlimited ways you can use a solar panel to power your electronic needs,” Nhia said.

This week, Solar-Deals.com will give away 100 pieces of 5″ monocrystalline solar cells to one randomly chosen newsletter subscribers. Every week Solar-Deals.com plans to randomly giveaway a free product to one of their subscribers and encourages people to go solar. Solar-Deals.com encourages people to build their own solar panel because it is affordable, eco-friendly, and of course, able to generate free electricity.

To find out more visit solar-deals.com

Source: PRWeb

Dell has committed itself to providing greener products and is said to be striving to become the world’s greenest computing company and has cut it’s greenhouse gas emissions, along with buying more green power.  Dell featured at number 5 on the U.S. Environment agency’s list of green power purchasers in the Fortune 500 companies.  Intel, who were at the top of the list was only computing company to feature higher than Dell.

To try out the calculator visit Dell

Tell the time with the power of the sun using Citizens Eco-drive technology. The Eco-drive series of watches that use solar power to power and charge your watch of choice. A modern version of a sun dial if you will.
The series of Eco-drive watches contain a solar conversion panel and converts energy from the sun to store in it’s energy cell (see video for brief explanation of the technology). The energy cell contains none of the usual chemicals found in regular watch batteries and under normal use and exposure, you can expect the cell to be used for a lifetime. The watch will charge the battery via exposure to the light and run from the the cell when no light is available.

See the range of Eco-drive watches at Citizen

Once charged the Freeloader Pro is capable of fully charging a digital camera or giving upto 70 hours of standby time on a regualr mobile phone.  The Freeloader Pro comes with adapters to fit a wide range of devices and is perfect to have around if your travelling, as a backup power supply or a eco friendly way of charging your device in the first place.

The backpack is ideal to carry into rugged or remote areas and setup in streams or rivers and can be bottom mounted so they are not visible in the stream or river.  This type of power source will open up all new areas to a renewable energy source, for instance it could provide enough energy to power a remote village and shore mounted portable water making systems for countries suffering from poor water quality.

For more information, visit www.bourneenergy.com

A cool looking tent, as tents go, but this one is filled to the brim with tech.  This tent produces it’s own power via photovoltaic fabric and offers wireless internet connectivity. 

This concept designed in association with Kaleidoscope builds on the the original solar tent that was trialled at Glastonbury 2003 uses the latest  photovoltaic fabric that has specially treated solar threads weaved into the fabric of the canvas which combines with the ability to reposition areas of the tent to take advantages of the best position to efficiently capture optimum amount of energy.

The orange concept tent goes further by adding such features as Glo-cation whcih allows the owners to find and identify their tent via their mobile phone, it would be possible to text message your tent and the tent would glow allowing you to see your tent.  At the heart of the tent is a wireless control hub which displays energy levels as well as providing a wireless internet signal, all the information relayed to the ower via flexible touch screen monitors.  Integrated into the hub is a wireless charging pouch which would power/charge mobile phone, mp3 players and the like.  The wireless hub also provides to power a heated groundsheet which can be automatically activated if it falls below a set temperature.

Whilst just a concept at the moment, this could be the future of camping providing you with a complete home from home allowing you to go anywhere and not be without your tech.

Read the full press release at Orange