Give us your view: Could we replace the nation’s pavement with solar panels?

So crazy it just might work? Apparently the Dept. of Transportation thinks so: Solar Roadways [based in Idaho], has received a $100,000 contract from DOT to build a prototype [read their press release].

Solar Roadways will collect solar energy to power businesses and homes via structurally-engineered solar panels that are driven upon, to be placed in parking lots and roadways in lieu of petroleum-based asphalt surfaces.

<< Give Us Your View >>

The Solar Road Panels will contain embedded LEDs which “paint” the road lines from beneath to provide safer nighttime driving, as well as to give up to the minute instructions (via the road) to drivers (i.e. “detour ahead”). The road will be able to sense wildlife on the road and can warn drivers to “slow down”. There will also be embedded heating elements in the surface to prevent snow and ice buildup, providing for safer winter driving. This feature packed system will become an intelligent highway that will double as a secure, intelligent, decentralized, self-healing power grid which will enable a gradual weaning from fossil fuels.

... Fully electric vehicles will be able to recharge along the roadway and in parking lots, finally making electric cars practical for long trips.

It is estimated that is will take roughly five billion (a stimulus package in itself) 12’ by 12’ Solar Road Panels to cover the asphalt surfaces in the U.S. alone, allowing us to produce three times more power than we’ve ever used as a nation - almost enough to power the entire world.

Encyclopedia for Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living

Always wanted an encyclopedia for alternative energy & sustainable living?

<< We Found One Here >>

What’s Your Earth Impact?

Take The Test

Earthlab has come up with a very cool widget to see what your carbon footprint level is, and helps guide you to making a conservation plan.

New battery could change world, one house at a time!

A team of specialists in advanced materials and electrochemistry has produced what could be the single most important breakthrough for clean, alternative energy since Socrates first noted solar heating 2,400 years ago.

Read more here!

Acts of Green!

We happened along this web site earlier today and decided to make a post about it. It was created by Cisco, a description of the goal as stated on the site is shown below...

" Change can start with just one person. One action. One Million Acts of Green.

We know that to change human impact on the environment we have to change how we think and how we act. But how do you start? We think you can start simple, with “acts of green.”

In October 2008, Cisco launched One Million Acts of Green in Canada to show that individual, organizational, and community acts of green add up to something significant. Today, we’re asking everyone in the United States for an act of green. It can be small: install a low-flow showerhead, take public transportation instead of driving, use a refillable coffee cup. Or something bigger, like covering your roof in solar panels.

One Million Acts of Green asks you to form a community, record your acts of green, and share your ideas to encourage others. It shows the power of people coming together and working toward meaningful goals—the power of the human network. "

You Can Visit The Website Here

Can I sell extra solar power back to my utility company?

View Our You Tube Videos!







Verengo Solar releases it's first You Tube Video. Look for additional, educational short-flicks in it's series of Solar FAQ.

Residential Solar Install Pictures

Today we wanted to give you something extra special and show off a few of the recent solar installations performed by Verengo Solar.

If you'd like to see some more of these photos please visit the Verengo Solar Plus Photo Gallery.

The Coolest iPhone App - iRecycle

iRecycle iPhone App Powered by Earth911! - iRecycle makes it easy to find recycling locations anywhere in the U.S. Find places to drop-off your old cell phone (or water bottle or motor oil or… well, you get the idea), get directions and find out what else they accept. It's available on the iPhone iTunes App Store.

Solar Forest

Designer Neville Mars has designed a charging station that keeps your car both cool and charged.

Called the Solar Forest, the panels actually follow the sun throughout the day for maximum efficiency. And that canopy provides some much needed shade for the cars below, hopefully while keeping the overlap to a minimum.

The tree trunks are like a giant power strips for electric vehicles. Cars can just plug in and cool off.

To see more photos of the solar parking forrest you can click here.

Go Solar, Go Verengo! www.GoVerengo.com

Solar-Powered Lawn Mower Robot

Everyone seems to really like the techy gadgets we highlight - so - How cool is this?! ~ This Automower Solar Hybrid is being advertised as the “the world’s first solar electric hybrid lawn mower.” It claims to be able to mow you lawn for around 45 minutes before running low on power, at which point it heads back to it recharging station. Both the recharging station and the “automower” run off of solar power, allowing you to sit back and let the Sun mow your lawn.

Click here to read more about the Fully Automated Solar-Powered Lawn Mower Robot

If you want to learn more about going solar, visit GoVerengo.