Today SoloPower announced the launch of its inaugural thin-film, CIGS-based solar product called SFX1-i. The company says SFX1-i is lightweight and flexible, while other outlets, such as Greentech Media, report that the modules have an efficiency of 10.5 to 11 percent.
A couple years ago we mentioned that the University of California San Diego was in the process of installing rows of Solar Trees on top of the Hopkins and Gilman Parking Structures. These parking lots, and the company that makes them, Envision Solar, received a mention by the NY Times recently. That's because Envision Solar has a novel approach — putting solar and shade in otherwise unused and unshaded parking lots.
Seems like a rare situation when a person will need both a carport and solar panels on top of the carport — as opposed to on the house or somewhere else. But assuming the stars align and you're in the market, Phat Energy wants to be there to help you out. The company just unveiled their prototype PHATport 350 in the outdoor section of Dwell on Design 2010.
As the magazine does every year, Sustainable Industries has just published its list of the Top 10 Green Building Products of 2010. Selections are chosen by an esteemed panel of judges — Michelle Kaufmann, Barry Giles, Kris Kimble, and Liz Dunn — based on design aesthetic, environmental performance, compatibility with LEED, and value, scalability/market impact, and innovativeness. This year, the judges took interest in products that reuse resources or reduce energy. Here are the top ten:
Area Industrie Ceramiche makes a red clay roof tile that the Italian company claims is very resistant to weather and capable of absorbing less water and heat. But that's just the original tile. If you go with the "tegolasolare" version, you'll end up with a roof integrated solar solution that's so handsome others may not realize it's wired to generate energy.
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