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.

Bike makers for the urban dweller, Brooklyn, New York City-based, Brooklyness, designs and builds two-wheeled solutions for the city commuter. Their CMYK 2.0 (photos above + below) folding electric commuter bike is a perfect vehicle for space-challenged apartment dwellers. The little bike can easily take you from home or apartment to rain, bus station or ultimate destination.

The handlebars and seat fold-down for carrying it on the train or bus – or ride it to the office, and fold it up and store under your desk or cube. (more…)

As a hound, I’d like to speak for all those canines trapped in loving homes with owners hellbent on including little Fluffy in all their Halloween hijinks.

People tend to get carried away on Halloween — must be the combination of all that pagan energy and sugar blurring folks’ judgment and inducing them to strap-on a Sarah Palin wig or David Hasselhoff mask. Rule of thumb, if your pooch looks miserable in that tutu or sombrero don’t make them wear it … animal cruelty can sometimes be disguised as love.

pictured above: Shiny Clown (Amazon), Frog Dog (DIY), and Batdog…I mean Batman ($8.39 on sale now).

• Are we embarrassed yet? China vows not to let per person carbon emissions reach US levels…China Won’t Follow US on Carbon Emissions – bbc
• Disaster allows for implementation of the latest sustainable technologies…Post-Tsunami ‘Eco’ Vision for Japan’s Restart – cs monitor
• We may soon be in deep shit…7 Billion People: World Has a Poop Problem – msnbc
• No self-tanner for them…Antarctic Killer Whales Treat Skin With a Tropical Vacation – livescience
• Not so good…Extreme Melting of Greenland Ice Sheet Could Become Self-Amplifying – sciencedaily
• Deadly Floods Tear Through Italian Riviera – orange UK
• Yeah right…Zimbabwean Man Claims Prostitute Turned into Donkey – the telegraph

Looking for a nice housewarming gift or perhaps a nice little addition to your holiday table setting? Loving this Pillar Candle Holder Set – a sweet way to prop-up votives or tealights but not take up too much room on your table. Measuring 5.75 inches high and 2.5 inches in diameter, they’re not apt to be toppled over as guests toast their host or pass the potatoes. Another alternative … in lieu of candles, glass can be filled with pretty pebbles, seashells, feathers and other decorative touches. Fashioned from reclaimed wine cooler bottles and made in the USA $38; buy @ hipcycle.com.

A green stimulus package of a different sort – our latest roundup up of earth-minded news & upcoming special events.

• October marks National Energy Awareness Month – there’s still time – find available tax rebates and incentives by state, county and city governments @ DSIREUSA.org.
• Got that eagle eye? Visit audubon.net and check out Birding the Net – now through November 7, for your chance to win a voyage to the Galapagos Islands.
• New consumer report exposes Bear Naked and other big cereal brands for unethical “natural” claims … before reaching for that next box of cereal, compare “natural vs. organic” claims via the Cereals Scorecard – Cornucopia Institute.
• Think you’ve got an award-winning Halloween costume? Enter Inhabitat’s DIY contest for your chance to win $200 bucks.
• Just for fun – enter our latest Great Green Giveaway sponsored by Fair Trade USA for your chance to win a $50 Goody Bag of organic and Fair Trade made goods.
• Geothermal Energy Expo 2011 takes place October 23-26 in San Diego. Expo floor is sold out, $50 registration fee per day.
• American Wind Energy Association releases Third Quarter Report and the news is positive – wind energy is driving down consumer electric rates…but will it last? Federal Production Tax Credit expected to expire at the end of 2012.
• Just ’cause we love Napa and indie films: November 9-13 is the inaugural Napa Valley Film Fest. Use Code FESTPASS for $125 savings; or PASSPLUS for $95 savings.
• Adrian Grenier and Peter Glatzer of SHFT to accept Eco-Maverick Award at Opportunity Green 2011 (Nov 10-11) in L.A. Get 30% off with code OGL30 via online registration.
• Register before October 31st and save 50% on fees – Miami Green Expo & Conference, January 26 & 27, 2012.
• Check out Toxic Free Talk Radio, hosted by Debra Lynn Dadd, author of Toxic Free with guest Steve Skurnac, President of Sims Recycling Solutions, the world’s largest electronics recycler. They discuss e-waste and safe ways to dispose of electronic scrap.
• Get Ready to…Recycle – November 15, 2011 is America Recycles Day; see how you can get involved and remember to reduce, reuse and recycle – in that order.

So simple, so primitive and just different enough. Jewelry designer Sarah Kelley makes these stylishly simple rings from 100% recycled sterling silver wire. The wire is wrapped around itself and hammered, then filed and tumbled to take off any sharp edges. Also available as a 3-ring Twist Stack set $40.

single ring only $17 @ the beaded lily’s etsy shop