We thought we’d take a pictorial peek at some innovative residential solar power designs and installations from both today and yesteryear.

Yes, those Spanish tiles (above) are really solar panels from solar innovators US Tile and SRS Energy.

If you like full photovoltaic coverage and a geometric look this design (above) might be for you. (more…)

A new urban commuter concept vehicle – part EV, part bike, part car.  This single person, three-wheeled, electrically assisted, pedal cycle is designed to transport a driver and up to 75 lbs of stuff to their workplace and back.

Designer Michael Scholey’s Emcycle is the size of a big bike – 24” wide x 73” tall x 80” long.  How does it work?  Pedals power the rear wheel like a traditional bicycle through a driver operated infinitely variable constant velocity transmission.  The Emcycle is designed to possess the stability of a tricycle – two front wheels tilt to allow banking around corners and provide increased braking, and stability.

The vehicle has electric front wheel drive with variable assist up to 1000 watts.  It has an estimated top speed of 40mph and 40 mile assisted range.  The Emcycle will feature overnight plug-in home charging and regenerative braking, with separate batteries to power the drive system and ancillary equipment.  The vehicle also features ‘no air – no puncture’ foam filled tires.

The Emcycle will also feature a bunch of car-like amenities including: a fully enclosed body, 2 lockable doors, front and rear lockable luggage compartments, roll over protection, an airbag, 3 point seat belt, adjustable full seat, windshield wiper and washer, front and rear LED lights with a separate LED headlight, directionals and LED brake lights, full instrumentation and battery charge gauge, a flow through filtered ventilation system and heater, disc brakes, reverse gear and side and rear view mirrors.  And hey, it’s been crash tested up to 30mph.

The Emcycle will cost about as much as an expensive electric bike.   Estimated cost: $2000 – $4000 US (prices will can vary depending on options)

If you’d like to spiff-up your desk, check out this Gerboa Desk Caddy made from antique wood, (olde growth pine that was upcycled from floor joists from Philadelphia in the 1800s).  The image of the Gerboa is from an 1885 Victorian animal book; it’s decoupaged onto the wood’s surface.  The caddy measures 6 x 3 x 3 1/4 inches.

From the same artists’ (PegandAwl Etsy shop), I also admire these handsome candle holders which, too are handcrafted from upcycled, reclaimed olde growth pine.  This Smoke Stack is sanded and finished with 100 percent natural tung oil.  The wood block is 8 inch x 2in x 2 inch and features hand poured pure beeswax candle.

Compelled to buy something for your honey for Valentine’s Day?  How about making your expression of affection both a little greener, and a little more elegant by gifting this Fancy Bow Ring made from recycled sterling silver; ($80).

This Brooklyn based designer combines painting, drawing and design to create a variety of jewelry and printed wares from sustainable materials such as vintage, reclaimed metals, organic and recycled fibers. (more…)

In the second installment of Sustainability Spectrum, we hear from Paul David Terry, a musician and teacher living in San Diego.

Paul David Terry is a musician based out of San Diego.  He performs with the San Diego opera, and is the director of the UC San Diego Pepband.  At his home in Hillcrest he grows tomatoes, eggplants, basil, habanero peppers, chocolate mint, beans and “lots of flowers.”

Paul’s shopping list tends to look like this:
1.    Fancy cheeses
2.    All natural cleaners
3.    Non-organic milk
4.    Purple cabbage
5.    Chicken

“I like to reduce the artificial chemicals in my life,” he says about why he tries to buy green cleaning products, but organic is not high on his list of priorities.  “I don’t look for products just because they’re organic.  That’s the last thing I look for, just because the term is so broad based,” he says.  He buys organic not for the principle, but for his own personal health – it’s better on his allergies and the food from his CSA box just tastes better.  (more…)