SunnyBot uses the Sun to Light and Heat Homes

       Developed by Italian startup Solenica, SunnyBot is approximately the size of a large desk lamp and equipped with an on-board mirror that continuously adjusts to reflect the sun's rays on a chosen area. The idea is to exploit sunlight and recycle it as a light source for other gloomy rooms or to reflect the sun's heat to warm the room, heat a swimming pool or nurture indoor plants.
       SunnyBot is actually integrated with a dual-axis microcomputer that's powered by a row of solar cells and comes with an optional feedback system. The device redirects 7,000 lumens (equivalent to a single 500-watt halogen lamp) with a range of nearly over 656 feet.

14-Year-Old Solar Invention: Solar-Powered Jug Purifies Water

        A 14-year-old ninth grader from New Hampshire, Deepika Kurup, has earned the title of "America's Top Young Scientist" for inventing a solar-powered jug that is able to transform dirty water into purified water. While visiting India and witnessing the act of young children drinking contaminated water from a dirty pool, Deepika "instantly knew she had to do something about the global water crisis." She had hypothesized that a mixture of chemicals would help to kill waterborne bacteria much faster, cheaper and more portable than current technology. 

        With her talent in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, Deepika had successfully discovered the appropriate amount of chemicals to create photocatalytic rods designed for placement in water bottles and other portable purifying systems. Once activated with sunlight, the bacteria within the contaminated water disappeared and the water became purified in a matter of hours.

Charge Devices with The Window Socket

       
         While there are many ways to charge your devices with sunlight, designers Kyuho Song and Boa Oh have created an invention, known as The Window Socket. The solar-powered charger suctions onto a window to harvest sunlight, which, in addition, comes with a battery pack and a direct plug-in for utilizing sunlight for energy.

Harvesting Electricity Directly from plants?

Researchers from the Universities of Georgia turned their heads towards the inspiration of nature. They are now developing a new technology in ways to generate electricity from plants. Plants are the most assured source for clean energy. Most of them operate at nearly 100 percent efficiency, providing the plant equal amount of electrons from every photons captured from the sun. If converting even a portion of this to electricity would greatly over power every solar panels being made with only 12-17 percent efficiency.

During the process of photosynthesis, plants convert the sunlight captured into water atoms that are split to hydrogen and oxygen which then produces electrons. The plants use these electrons to create natural sugars for in most part uses them much like food to advance towards reproduction and growth.

"We have developed a way to interrupt photosynthesis so that we can capture the electrons before the plant uses them to make these sugars," said Ramasamy, who is also a member of UGA's Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center.

In the near future, this technology can well be used in remote sensors or even portable electronics that require fewer power consumption.

"We have discovered something very promising here, and it is certainly worth exploring further," he said. "The electrical output we see now is modest, but only about 30 years ago, hydrogen fuel cells were in their infancy, and now they can power cars, buses and even buildings."

Ramaraja Ramasamy, right, and Yogeswaran Umasankar work together to capture energy created during photosynthesis. Ramasamy is an assistant professor in the UGA College of Engineering and Umasankar is postdoctoral research associate working in his lab. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Georgia)

Japan Endorses Solar Energy to Ghana

      In the midst of Ghana's energy crisis, Japanese ambassador to Ghana, Naoto Nikai, has urged Ghanaian authorities to invest in solar energy. At an event to inaugurate the first stage of the 315 kilowatt Solar Electricity Generation System at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in Accra, Nikai had stated: "The utilization of renewable energy, such as solar power, is the future and the utilization of it will enable us to better sustain our planet and our lives."
     In addition, Ghana is to be seen as a country plentiful of sunlight shining upon them throughout the year, which brings solar power to be an appropriate option for them. Nikai has claimed that in 2010, the government had extended a grant of 610 million yen (approximately $7.6 million) for the project aimed at introducing clean energy through solar electricity generation system for the Noguchi Institute.
     "I hope that the government of Ghana will fully utilize the system and ensure the provision of necessary resources to maintain it in good shape for years to come," said Nikai. Professor Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Director of NMIMR, also said the design and procurement processes were currently underway for the second stage of the project, which will increase the generation capacity by another 400 kilowatt hours, accumulating to a total of 715 kilowatt hours. He notes that this will add on to the electricity power generation in the country as well as adding the excess power to the power grid to supply the rest of the university. "Besides the immediate cost of savings," he said, "additional benefits will accrue in terms of reduction in carbon emissions and less delirious impact on the environment."
      Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, said "the first phase of the 315 kilowatt solar park is unique because it is the first large-scale project to be commissioned since the passage of the Renewable Energy Bill into Act (Act 823), which seeks to create the enabling environment for the development of renewable energy sources in Ghana." He also said the project was a clear demonstration that solar energy could contribute to cost-effective energy conservation and management, as well as government institutions.

Volta Racer -- World's First Solar-Powered Car (for Kids!)

       ToyLabs Inc. (Silicon Valley start-up) has unveiled its latest production as well as being the world's first solar-powered toy called Volta Racer. This toy has the components of a flexible polycrystalline silicon solar panel that helps capture sunlight to power up the toy. As produced initially to have children learn the advantages of green power and harnessing the sun's energy to power up future gadgets, ToyLabs has made the solar-powered toy from eco-friendly recyclable damage resistant materials cut at roundish angles so that it doesn't cause any damage to the kids. 

       Interestingly, the device can be assembled in a matter of 15 minutes, giving more insight on how kids can learn the basic concepts of solar electricity and mechanical engineering. Volta Racer can also traverse easily upon any terrain and only moves in either a straight line or roundish path depending on the setting of axle by the user.

The Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Panel

      Not being able to be remote-controlled may be the only downside to this remarkable yet educational toy for your kids but one is able to purchase the Volta Racer for only $25, which also gives you a variety of five color options to choose from. Even though it may not be remote-controlled, I'm sure it'll still bring enjoyment to kids as well as making them realize the importance of harnessing natural sources of energy in the not-so-distant future.

Solar Panels installed in Huntsville, Alabama!

           Solar panel projects are being installed in Huntsville's South Memorial Parkway, Alabama by Southern Solar Systems, a Huntsville-based company specialized in installing photovoltaic solar panels. Not only are solar panels being installed in South Memorial Parkway, but it is claimed to also be installed on the lands that borders the northbound lanes between Charlotte Drive and Bryd Spring Road. According to Chris Shearburn, vice president of Southern Solar Systems, the solar panels should be operational by the following week.
            Southern Solar Systems also reports that they are installing solar panels for the landowner, who will be selling back its power generation back to Tennessee Valley Authority as part of its program, Green Power Providers program. This program helps offer consumers, businesses, and industries across the Tennessee Valley the option to build renewable generation with a maximum project size of less than 50 kilowatts in size.
             Shearburn had noted that the solar panels will be producing about 70,000 kilowatt hours of power a year, which helps the landowner save a revenue of about $1,500 per month. The solar panels are positioned southward and helps them pull in the most sunlight. Shearburn also comments that "in the last year or year and a half, the prices have dropped for solar panels, so the cost of building these (solar panels) is going down."

One of the solar panels on South Memorial Parkway, between Byrd Spring Road and Charlotte Drive