Designer Oscar van Wingen has created this concept for a solar streetlight and bench based on forms found in nature. The streetlight resembles the lilting shape of a leaf supporting a droplet of rainwater or morning dew, while the support pole mimics the arc of a breaking wave.

Related: more eco design

When contemplating solar energy one’s mind usually wanders to the sunny climes of California, Nevada or the deserts of Northern Africa and Dubai. Not foggy old London. But yes, the UK has its own booming residential and commercial solar industry. One company taking advantage of friendly government tariffs and consumer demand for solar energy is London solar panel suppliers, Ploughcroft Solar.

Ploughcroft maintains the only NVQ accredited training center in the UK, handles both large corporate and residential installations, and even has an Eco Roof division.

To support the transition to renewable energy sources the UK now has a target of producing 15% of its total energy use to renewables by 2020 and has instituted the Generation and Feed In Tariffs program, providing those installing an alternative energy systems an estimated return of 8-10%, which compared with the interest paid by a savings account, is an attractive investment opportunity whilst lowering the home owner’s or business’s carbon footprint (global warming is an accepted fact in Europe and most of the civilized world). The Tariffs are available to home owners, businesses, schools and other commercial enterprises.

Those taking advantage in 2011 will have their Tariffs set at a higher level — which, in the UK is a good thing — than those who wait until 2012 and subsequent years. Tariffs are index linked and tax free.

Michigan-based, EnerFusion Inc., has created the Solar Dok, an off-grid, outdoor table & bench set-up, equipped with an array of photovoltaic solar panels.

The Solar Dok is made from recycled materials, and is designed to allow folks to charge: phones, laptops, or any other electronic device with 100% solar energy. The solar-powered charging station can deliver 110VAC renewable power in any remote location.
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This portable little solar panel can charge many Nokia, Samsung, or Sony Ericcson phone models in about 3 hours in direct sunlight. The pocket-sized charger also comes with a USB adapter for charging other small devices.  $29 @ nokero.com

note: not compatible with iPhone

There’s something about micro wind turbine technology that gets my imagination fired-up. I believe it has a similar effect on Italian designer Piero Ceratti, who has conceptualized his Eagle Nest Hut (pictured in renderings above + below) as an off-grid bed and breakfast in the sky.

The self-sustaining, mountaintop hostel is designed to be powered by 80 micro wind turbines that would feed, and store energy in 18 lithium ion batteries. It’s reasonable to assume that an unobstructed mountaintop will be buffeted by strong enough winds to keep the hut’s array of horizontal turbines whirring 24/7. (more…)

This portable solar lamp has a nice retro look. The good folks at California-based, Sunnyside Up Solar, advise consumers to place this light “where the sun DO shine during the day and use it conscience free at night”. The lamp is called the “Signature SUS Bulb” because of the subtle ‘SUS’ at the center of the graphic on the lamp’s face. The back of the graphic is silkscreened white so that the bulb is a bit brighter than the rest of the lamp.

A one day charge can provide 5-7 hours of light which you can set to come on automatically when the sun goes down, or whenever you need it. The portable design also allows you to take it on moonlit walks, late night raids on the fridge, or weekend camping trips.

Eco features:  2 energy efficient, long-lasting LED bulbs, 1 switch with 3 settings and 2 rechargeable AA batteries. The lamp is made with “Grade AA” materials that insure it will last a long time. Dimensions: 5.5″ long by 4.25″ high

$38 @ the sunnyside up solar supermarket shop

Who needs one more thing? For the party entertainer looking to shed a little light on their next evening soiree — these free standing bubbles of light capture the sun’s energy by day (about 2.5 hours) and emit a nice warm glow for about 8 hours. Pink, Clear, Orange or Green. Waterproof. Designed to travel from path or poolside to bedroom with a light heave-ho. $35/each @ poketo.com

related: green gadgets

The ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan has motivated them to explore cleaner, safer forms of energy. The Mitsui Group has decided to invest in solar power plants that have the capacity to support 30,000 households. The project is expected to cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars.

The plan is still in the works, but this is a good sign for the energy of Japan’s future. Prime Minister Naoto Kan has promised to create an energy efficient society by increasing renewable energy to 20 percent by 2020. This is a step in the right direction for a country where nuclear power has been thriving. Other organizations taking initiative include The Green Power Certificate Program that aims at the greening of household energy.

Keep an eye out for these developing projects in Japan that will create new jobs and cleaner energy for the country.

via: ipsnews.net and solardaily.com.

NL Architects is attempting to domesticate, or urbanize, wind energy design by creating aesthetically pleasing wind turbines. These small generators can be integrated into urban landscapes, and provide clean, renewable energy without creating any disturbing noise.

The quiet ‘Power Flowers’ are designed to look like trees and capture renewable wind energy. The basic concept relies on Urban Green Energy’s ‘Eddy’ turbine. The Eddy turbine is a small turbine that is designed for residential use. Power Flowers use either 3 or 12 Eddy’s on their wind tree to capture as much emission-free energy as possible. (more…)