Fly This 50 Foot Solar Bag!

We don't know why we like the idea of a 50 foot airborne Solar Bag, we guess it may have something to do with our inability to fly an ordinary kite. Whatever the reason, you can get your very own, wait for a sunny day, fill it up, tie the ends and the solar beast will rise within 5 minutes. It is also possible to cut it down and make several smaller bags.

Via Solar Bags

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Solar 11-in-1 Battery Recharger

Holiday time is here and as you are busily filling up your gift list, save on cost and the planet with the Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger. True to its name, it charges 11 different NiCd and NiMH battery sizes (AAA, AA, C, D and 7 GUM sizes.) The adjustable top lid and bottom allows optimal sunlight and a blocking diode prevents discharge.

We cannot say enough about our personal changeover to eneloop batteries. We use our Flip (now defunct) camcorder constantly and in the space of about 3 years, have only recharged about 5 times. That's a lot of planet saving for very little coinage.

Via Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger

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Join the LuminAID Community Project

In the national scheme of things, one in 4 lacks electricity and, with the recent disasters, millions more are without a home. IndieLabs' LuminAID is an inflatable bag with solar-powered LED inside. After a 4-6 hour charge, the bag is inflated and switched on. Users get 4 hours of bright light or 6 on low. Pledge one for $25.00 and another will be sent to you as a thanks. Hit the link to contribute to the community project.

Via LuminAID

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GE Develops Better Solar System

GE has built a better mousetrap solar system that they claim reduces the $6.50 per watt cost to a mere $3.00. Charlie Korman of the NY Global Research Center says that solar panel arrays are currently high-voltage systems that involve using equipment to switch it to a 120 volt current. Their solution is to create panels with socket ready AC current. This means the system needs only a standard installation kit, takes half a day to construct (as opposed to 2 days) and uses 60% fewer components.

A prototype has been constructed by the team and GE plans to build a new plant near Denver, CO to manufacture the new panels. This means that more jobs will open up for those who specialize in research and those seeking manufacturing employment. Kudos to GE for investing in the clean energy despite setbacks and bankruptcies of other solar companies.

(Thanks, Amber)

Via GE

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