Two Solar Kits For Fun
Even robots come solar as evidenced by this Solar Robot Kit. After building, the 8.2 x 7.2 x 15.5" T3 can transform into a tank, robot or scorpion. There is no soldering needed and as long as there is sunshine, he will keep truckin' on. For those who prefer speed, the Solar Bullet Train has 18 parts that snap together and needs only 4 screws. There are 2 cars that attach to the engine and it runs without rails.
Via Solar Kits
Inexpensive Hobbit Home
It's nice in this hectic day and age to find someone like Simon Dale, a throwback to the 70's attitude of staying real, mellowing out and living in harmony with the planet with a Hobbitish home. Not a skilled architect or builder, he, his dad-in-law and friends and passersby created this house in West Wales for about £3,000 (~$4621.00,) in less than 1,500 hours.
Built with local, natural materials like scrap wood, stone, straw and mud, there is a woodburner for heating, a skylight for natural lighting, solar panels for power and a compost toilet. For things like windows, wiring, etc., he says "anything you could possibly want is in a rubbish pile somewhere."
The best is yet to come. Dale is now building his second eco-house as part of a project in Wales backed by the Lammas Organization, who are struggling to build an eco-village despite the hassle of paperwork and proper permits. (Bummer, man.) You can give them a donation or, even better, volunteer your time and energy into assisting the communal project. Hang on Simon, we're comin' to Wales.
Via Simon Dale
Transformer Goes Solar
Are you the first in line when a new Transformer movie comes out? Then the T3 transforming Solar Robot Kit is for you. After assembly you get a robot, tank or scorpion that will walk, roll or creep when it is charged up. The solar cell has a two year life span, a lot cheaper than batteries.
Via Solar Transformer Robot Kit
DIY Solar Remote: 10 Minutes, Little Expense
Take a SunMod Solar Kit, solder, tape or glue and blade and you can make yourself a solar remote in about 10 minutes. Figure out the size you will need by the battery voltage in use, add a couple of rechargeable batteries and a small diode, and you have yourself a nifty device.
Via Makezine
Mini-Racer Runs on Solar Energy
The Solar Powered Racer is a fun vehicle that comes in a kit for both kids and adults. There are 8 parts to assemble and when completed, will run on moderate sunlight or one very bright bulb. Start your solar engine for £7.45 (~$11.00.)
Via EnviroGadget
Solar Kit Has 150 Things to Do
The Tree of Knowledge Solar Power Kit comes with 150 experiments. Build a generator, furnace, mobile, crane, motor and more. The kit, recommended for those over the age of ten, includes instructions for playing with color optics, stroboscopes and thermodynamics.
Via Tree of Knowledge
Thomas Clark Recycles to Create Solar Heaters
Cabinet maker Thomas Clark was inspired by high gas prices and his work being cut to part time to start his own business. He builds solar air heaters from aluminum cans and discarded 2 x 4 plywood sheets. The devices circulate indoor air through the pop cans that are painted black and heated by the sun. So far, he has sold about 25 of the 2000 BTU units for $150 each on eBay.
Via MSNBC
UNR Student Develops Solar Distillation Pond
Francisco Suarez, a doctoral student at the University of Nevada, Reno, is developing a process that will save ecosystems in closed basin regions, such as the Great Salt Lake and Salton Sea, where the evaporation rate leaves a high concentration of salt and minerals. His solar pond traps heat in the storage zone on the bottom, which can reach temperatures of up to 195º F. It can then desalinate the water with a patented membrane distillation system that uses the solar heat as the energy source.
Via UNR
DIY Solar Food Dryer
Eben Fodor, an organic gardener and travel guide writer with a background in engineering and solar energy, has written The Solar Food Dryer with step-by-step details on how to build your own. Keep your extra vegetables, fruits and herbs all year long by preserving them in the dryer made with inexpensive, readily available materials. Not only does the book come with several designs, it also has resources, solar charts and food drying tips.
Via Eben Fodor
Eitech Kit Makes Solar Fliers
Keep your kids/spouse/partner amused for hours with this Eitech solar powered Metal Building Kit. There are over 188 parts for building an airplane or helicopter, with all tools included. Made in Germany, it provides illustrated instructions to help you in your efforts. Best of all, after construction, it actually performs.
Via Eitech
DIY Solar Miniball
We know that you have made countless clever contraptions with your solar kit and are looking for something new. Jérôme Demers created this wanna-be Miniball as part of the Solarbotics' BEAM robot project. Follow along with the instructions and you will have your own in about 2 hours. While he uses an 80mm Transparent Plastic Sphere, we expect a less expensive hamster ball will do the trick.
Via Instructables
Our First Official Holiday Gift Guide
We may be one of the newest green sites on the Interweb, but we are getting there, thanks to all of you who read us. For you and those surfing by, we present our first annual Holiday Gift Guide. Included are kits, panels, chargers, and stuff that just looks cool. And if you are on a budget, we will help you turn others green for little funding.
Practical Solar Stuff
Suppose you spend a bit less on toys this year and a bit more on your home, helping to save the planet at the same time. Sunforce's 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit has everything needed (sans battery) to generate power. The kit has four 15W amorphous solar panels with mounting frames, a 200 modified sine wave power inverter, a 7 amp solar charge controller, and a wiring kit with accessories. Sunforce also has a 400W Deluxe Kit that, although is steeper in price, can be used as an off-grid power supply or for backup power.
The Portable Hybrid Solar Charger can be used with an iPhone, BlackBerry or other smartphones. On cloudy days it can charge via USB. The 2 in 1 Folding Panel comes with a 6 volt, 200 mA folding solar panel, AA and AAA battery charger and multi-plug connectors. It can charge cell phones, portable game systems or PMPs. Don't forget the solar batteries.
Kits for Kids
The Thames & Kosmos Physics Solar Workshop was developed with Germany's Greenpeace, includes 320 parts for building different types of vehicles and is recommended for ages 8 - 12. RobotiKits'
6 In 1 Educational Solar Kit has one solar module and a gear box with snap together pieces for building several different solar models and is recommended for those over 10.
Elenco's OWI Super Solar Racing Car Jr. is part of their science series that also includes a Frightened Grasshopper and the Happy Hopping Frog.
The deluxe Tree of Knowledge Solar Power Science Kit offers about 150 experiments by building a solar generator, motor, water heater and more.
Under $50.00
The Wagan Lantern is great for camping, mountaineering or emergencies. Charge in 30 - 35 hours by the sun or 15-20 hours with a 12 volt DC attachment in your cigarette lighter. Its handle, cell and lantern all rotate to get maximum exposure. SolaDyne's Table Top LED Lantern can also be hand cranked and has a foldaway hook for hanging.
If you know someone who put up a flag after 9/11 and never took it down, then he/she would love Annin's Flag Pole Solar Light that is easy to install and comes with batteries. With the Moonrays 2-Sided Address Light, everyone will be able to find your home during the holidays. It comes with a stake or can be wall mounted. Giving up to 10 hours of light, numbers and directional letters are included in the package.
Even if the Fairy is asleep, the solar globe shines with a calming green light for at least 4 hours. Who couldn't love Echo Valley's 10.5" tall Lawn Gnome with rainproof solar panels that, after charging, provides light for 4 to 6 hours.
Do it Best Imports' Tier Light 6 Pack with 2 NiCad rechargeable batteries has a clear globes, white LEDs and black finishes. Each automatically recharges during the day and turns on at dusk.
Under $20.00.
Know someone who wants to go solar but hasn't a clue? Get them "Solar Power Your Home for Dummies" . It has information on choosing and installing a system, various projects, tax rebates and incentives and how to avoid problems while doing any of the above.
Show up your neighbors by adorning your house with a string of 50 Christmas White Lights that are 23 ft. in length and turn on automatically. Decorate with a 50 bulb Net that stretches to 45 x 36".
Instead of regular wind chimes, surprise someone with Hummingbirds that light up the night. The 22 x 6 x 6" chimes are made of polyresin and include mounting bracket. Tomy's Cardinal Breezy Singer is powered by its hut
Under $10.00
The Poof Slinky Solar Energy Lab features a collector, heater, focusing lens and thermometer and offers over 25 experiments.
Solar Beads change color more than 5,000 times and can be used over and over. They come with project and experiment booklet. The Solar World Electricity Kit comes with cell array, motor, wind propeller, optical illusions and instruction manual is a fine start to anyone who wants to understand how solar power works.
The Frost 50 LED Lamp Set can be used indoors or outdoors illuminates up to 8 hours from a full day's charge. Sylvania's LED Flashlight can be clipped on a car's visor or belt for those unexpected power outages as can the 'Green' Flashlight with 5 super-bright LEDs and built-in compass.
Give Yourself
Although solar gifts are great, there are other gifts that we included that are related. These fall under the donation heading, because part of saving the planet is saving those on it.
The African Wildlife Foundation is trying to save elephants, mountain gorillas and other endangered species. Twenty five dollars will adopt an animal in need while a donation of $75.00 can save an entire animal family. The same is true of the National Wildlife Federation as they are dedicated to saving endangered species and their habitats. You can even become a certified Wildlife Garden by providing food and water, and places for cover and raising their young in your own back yard. A
$20.00 application fee will get you a personalized certificate that recognizes your NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat as well as other benefits.
The Sierra Club has been around since the 60's. During that time it has striven to protect the environment and preserve wilderness through various campaigns. A gift to them would be a gift for your children. The National Parks Conservation Association protects parks and the wildlife that lives in them, as well as promoting new ones.
If you want to help out your local community, think about donating to a neighborhood animal shelter or go out during the holidays and volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter. Food is always welcome at co-ops, especially if you grew it yourself and have excess, and Habitat for Humanity can always use your time and would love to welcome you on a Global Village trip, where you can help an entire community. The best gift this season is really yourself.
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