Imagine 3,000 communities and 10,000 volunteers across the country in a one-day celebration of solar power. That’s why we are reminding you that the American Solar Energy Society kicks off their 14th Annual National Solar Tour TODAY in collaboration with more than 240 local groups as part of National Energy Awareness Month. Participants can take a peek at their neighbors’ homes and buildings using solar energy and other sustainable technologies, and see for themselves how to save money and the environment. See our previous post for more information.

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Post tags: "clean energy", "solar energy", alternative energy, american solar energy society, photovoltaic cells, reneweable energy, solar panels, Solar Power

We’ve been reading here and there that research is beginning to show that wind speeds are slowing down due to climate change — making wind-powered energy less promising. Some would simply call this incredibly ironic, but we consider this a call-to-action to change the way we think and behave in an on-going effort to preserve the environment we live in. Wind is a precious resource that has inspired generations of designers, inventors, and architects, who have created objects and structures that continue to capture the imagination of the public. Think of windmills, or pinwheels — and as our understanding of wind has strengthened, so has the sophistication by which we try to use it to enhance our experiences in the built environment. See what we have been reading this week:

Treehugger reminds us that fabulous design can happen right at home with this DIY Wind Turbine.

Designboom features a sleek-looking wind turbine that was showcased at Berlin Design Week.

Designboom also shares this building design by Foster + Partners that includes a roof that acts as a wind scoop to help ventilate the interior.

Jetson Green’s review of entries for Urban Re:Vision’s challenge reveals that a super sustainable block in Dallas, Texas should include the harnessing of wind.

Notcot highlights a building in Utrecht with a facade that is responsive to the wind — making a glistening and constantly moving surface.

Treehugger reports on a new design that could transform NYC rooftops into wind-gathering stations.

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Post tags: "clean energy", "wind power", renewable energy, wind energy, wind tubines

By far one of the most wasted spaces of every residence is the roof – of course it is there to protect us from the elements, but surely it can be put to better use. Aiming to innovate upon conventional roof cladding, researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory recently unveiled a new breed of flexible and moisture resistant solar panels that are designed to be rolled out en masse as energy-generating roof tiles!

Read the rest of Researchers Unveil Flexible Solar Cell Roof Shingles

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Post tags: "clean energy", green energy, pacific northwest national laboratory, photovoltaic, renewable, roof shingle solar cells, Solar Power, sustainable design

Underwater turbines that harvest tidal currents have already become an established technology in the world of clean energy. So in order to push the frontier further, a group of engineers at Oxford have been tinkering away on a design that promises to be even more powerful and efficient. The group recently introduced an innovative Transverse Horizontal Axis Water Turbine that will not only collect more energy but require 60% lower manufacturing costs and 40% lower maintenance costs.


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Post tags: "clean energy", marine turbine, ocean energy, renewable energy, sea energy, thwat, tidal currents energy, tidal energy, transverse horizontal axis water turbine, underwater turbine

Light Wind, the fabulous new design innovation from Dutch design house Demakersvan, combines lighting technology with clever Dutch design and the clean energy technology of Dutch windmills. Made of stainless steel, wood, and sail fabric, the 7.9 ft. tall freestanding structure converts wind power into light with a sizable 6.5 ft propeller. Unfortunately, cost and installation details are not available on their site, so interested buyers should contact the designers directly, here >


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Post tags: "clean energy", "wind power", Demakersvan, Light Wind, Outdoor Light Installation

Conventional wind turbine technology has been a bit out of reach for most residential consumers living in urban areas—until now. Researchers at Hong Kong University and Lucien Gambarota of Motorwave Ltd. have developed Motorwind, a micro-wind turbine technology small enough for private use in both rural and urban environments. Unlike large-scale wind turbines, Motorwave’s micro-wind turbines are light, compact (25 cm rotor diameter), and can generate power with wind speeds as low as 2 meters/second.


Read the rest of MICRO WIND TURBINES: Small Size, Big Impact

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Post tags: "clean energy", "wind power", Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Micro-Wind Turbines, Lucien Gambarota, Motorwave, Motorwind, November 2006 installation of 40 micro-wind turbines on Homantin street