Designer Mohsen Saleh is developing a “lightfarm” concept that specifically engineers a building’s facade and rooftop to maximize the collection and concentration of solar energy via HCPV, (high concentration photovoltaic cells). The energy captured is then used for heating and power generation.

The design is estimated to be much more efficient than conventional photovoltaic installations which produce 12% to 19% efficiency.  The sunlight hitting the building’s facade is concentrated by thin plastic fresnel lenses under a glass covering, it’s estimated that a few square centimeters of HCPV utilizing this technology could generate electricity for the household at a phenomenal efficiency return of up to 40%, while diverting the other 60% of solar energy, which would normally be waste, to heat-sinks for water and space heating purposes.

The home in the accompanying renderings was designed by Nasser Taghavi.

Our fabulous publisher and green living expert, Maureen O’Connor is interviewed in a feature article entitled “A Red and Green Holiday” in the Fall/Winter edition of USA Today Guide to Green Living magazine. The article focuses on ways to make celebrating the holidays a “greener” endeavor, or as Maureen states, “Try to follow a less is more approach to everything you do. Gift giving and holiday preparation become less complicated.”

On newsstands and in bookstores now thru Jan 14.

Over the years I’ve had many a bird feeder pillaged by voracious hordes of rampaging squirrels. I now believe a new approach may be in order – give our furry friends their own feeder to mitigate their raids on the bird feeders.

Andrew and Melissa of Andrew’s Reclaimed build their self-service squirrel feeders and other wood products out of reclaimed wood recovered from docks, fences, barns and other old structures – all very eco-friendly. $37 @ andrewsreclaimed Etsy shop.