Time’s running out but there’s still a few days left to take advantage of some good tax breaks for greening your home, commute or car. Forbes compiled a handy list of 10 ways to save money while saving the planet.

1. Home Improvements – a 10% tax credit is available for many energy efficient upgrades such as replacing windows, improving insulation and certain a/c and heating units. See the Alliance to Save Energy for a straightforward explanation of details.

2. Electric Cars – receive a $7500 federal tax credit when you buy a new Chevy VOLT, Nissan Leaf or Ford’s forthcoming Focus Electric.

3. Residential Charging Station – although you don’t absolutely need to have one  to go with that e-car, they can make your life a little easier and Uncle Sam will provide a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of installing a charger (up to a maximum of $1000). not too shabby.

4. Car Conversion – convert your gas-guzzler into a plug-in with an electric car conversion kit and the feds will credit you for 10% of the cost, with a maximum credit of $4000. Act now – this credit will expire at the end of 2011.

5. Low speed electric vehicles – love this one, too. Sport about in a street legal golf cart or moped and get a federal tax credit of up to 10%, up to a maximum credit of $2500. Act now – only available through Dec 31, 2011.

6. Green Commuting – bus, train, subway and van-pooling commuters can save $240 a month pre-tax to pay their commuting expenses, provided their employers offer a pretax plan. (This is expected to become $125 per month, effective Jan 1, 2012.)

7. Home Solar - receive a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost to install home solar panels to generate electricity of heat water (excluding your pool). This credit will be available through 2016.  (more…)

For those power hungry individuals who spend much of their time off-grid…

Solio’s BOLT portable solar charger is a new addition to the Solio family of solar charging products. This pocket-sized charger and battery back-up stores the sun’s energy to provide power to all manner of USB powered gizmos and gadgets – including: compatible smartphones, MP3 players, head lamps, lights, GPS,  iPods, PDA’s, e-readers and cameras.

The BOLT’s nifty design allows a pencil or pen to be inserted into the center of its two portable panels enabling the BOLT to act like a sundial.  For maximum charging speed simply face the BOLT toward the sun and rotate it until the pencil no longer casts a shadow. Turn the BOLT toward the sun each time the pencil casts a shadow to maximize the efficiency of the charger.

Available @ amazon.com and the solio.com website for around $70.

Related: more green gadgets

With the weather turning colder and the economy showing little, if any, heat, more and more folks may be hitting their local streets as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. We thought we’d put together a fun list of items to make protesting a more pleasantly green and productive enterprise. Below we’ve listed a few green gift ideas for the protester in your household:

• No lights, no electricity, no TV…no problemo!  The Etón American Red Cross Microlink radio and flashlight features a multi-band radio that can be charged via hand-crank, solar cell or USB port. The radio features AM/FM and seven NOAA All-Hazard Alert and weather channels. Additional features include: cell phone charging capabilities and a handy LED flashlight.
• Buy your protester a t-shirt that will clearly proclaim their support, affection and affiliation with the Occupy movement. This shirt, made by Colorado-based Occupy Shirts, is made of green stuff too – combed ring spun organic cotton and post-consumer P.E.T. recycled polyester. Occupy Shirts donates proceeds to the city of your choice and the tee costs a very reasonable $20.
• Hygiene is a major issue for any long term, outdoor occupation and protesters always make a better impression on reporters and media types when they smell like a fresh mountain breeze instead of a urine-soaked billygoat. The solar shower (pictured at right) can provide a quick cleansing spritz before that next on-camera opportunity. The shower holds five gallons of H2O which it heats via a small integrated solar panel.
• Hot food is always a mood lifter in an outdoor protest situation and, given the fact that most police and fire departments frown on open fires in public places, innovative cooking solutions are probably required. One option, go all Ed Begley Jr. and break out a solar cooker like the one pictured on the right – all you need is some strong sunlight and a little bit of time…a commodity that, unfortunately, may be in great supply.

Related: more green gifts previously on The Alternative Consumer.

Nice idea – this handmade, portable USB solar charger is stored in a recycled Altoids tin, and it will charge all your little Apple iProducts. The (included) 4V solar cell charges two, high-capacity rechargeable AA batteries — the batteries then charge your gadget.

When you need some emergency juice for your iPhone or iPod just plug your device into the batteries via the three foot retractable USB cable, (included). Buyer has their choice of Altoids tins.

$29.99 @ the Brown Dog Gadget Etsy Shop

Related: more green gadgets

Here’s a toy that can serve as a child’s first introduction to the wonders of renewable energy.

Swiss toy-makers, Betrand and Masha Metrailler, create these nifty solar airplanes out of solid chestnut. When exposed to sunlight, or another strong light source, the propeller spins – the stronger the light, the faster it spins.

No batteries or switches to interfere with the toy’s performance. The Metraillers also make a solar helicopter. (more…)

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.

Water is becoming one of the world’s most precious commodities, particularly in arid, developing nations. Designer Gabrielle Diamanti has created a prototype for a solar still that could help people with access to salt water convert it into up to 5 litres of fresh water per day.

Diamanti calls her device “Eliodomestico”. Salt water is poured into the top chamber of the device and heated into steam by the sun – removing the salt. The resulting steam is then forced down through an expansion nozzle to condense as fresh water in the lower basin.

The simple still is constructed of cheap, readily available raw materials; operates off-grid – with no electricity; and is low maintenance.

Eliodomestico was a finalist at the 2011 Prix Emile Hermes competition. It is an ‘open’ design and intended to be shared.

via: notcot.org

“Ray” is  solar charger for small electronic gadgets that features a unique suction cup design. Inventor Brandon Craven created “Ray” to provide a portable power source for individuals who are constantly draining the battery of their phone, PDA or iPod.

The charger features an interesting suction cup design that allows the solar panel to be attached to any window – including car windshields and airplane windows. The tilting kickstand can be adjusted for maximum solar exposure when the unit is on a surface. (more…)

U.S.-based, evolve motorcycles will premiere its two-wheeled 100% electric vehicles in New York City on October 6th.

The company’s fall launch will feature three models: titanium, neon and helium as well as a preview of two of their upcoming designs. The bikes are capable of speeds up to 60 mph and offer the highest battery ranges in the industry.  (more…)