The pigments from dark-colored berries absorb sunlight extremely well. Since the extraction of the pigment is simple task, production of solar cells would increase. Unfortunately, efficiency rates are considerably lower

Benefits include: no batteries required, reduced fuel consumption and dashboard protection from heat-related wear.

A UK company called Quiet Revolution has developed a unique model capable of blending into a business center creating not only a great visual display but also work as a renewable energy device.

The plans, revealed in September, show a teardrop-shaped building with high-tech ventilation systems, solar panels, and massive windows, all features that could earn it top certification for efficiency and energy savings by the U.S. Green Building Council.

They have successfully created a solar coating that is the most cost-efficient solar energy source ever. Their PowerSheet cells contrast the current solar technology systems by reducing the cost of production from $3 a watt to a mere 30 cents per watt. This makes, for the first time in history, solar power cheaper than burning coal.

Couples seeking divorce have to pay a fee that goes toward planting 25 trees in the area where they live. Lovebirds getting married have to pay a similar, but smaller fee -- for a mere 5 trees.

A new shower design may be the answer to the increasing issues and concerns with water shortages in many areas. Brazilian design student Joao Diego Schlmansky, designed a shower that bathes you in a fog of microscopic droplets and happens to be one of the eight finalists in the 2007 Electrolux Design Lap competition.

During the day, sunlight is captured and channeled into lighting fixtures, then at night, the fluorescent bulb takes over. On the roof, sunlight is captured using a large dish that tracks the sun. The concentrated light is channeled through the building with bundles of optical fibers.

The year 2001 brought an end to this, however. The new liberal-conservative government formed separate ministries for transport/energy and environment once again, 3 sea-based wind turbine parks were ditched, land based renewable energy was put in the freezer, energy research and development had their funding cut to almost zilch, and 800 people were made redundant in public environmental administration.

Located in Bern, Switzerland, the world’s largest solar stadium is operational. The stadium has a total of over 10,000 solar cells yielding in an overall output of 1.3 megawatts of power and expected to produce 1.134 gigawatts hours of electricity annually - the equivalence of 350 four-person households.

PowerHouse Enterprises has developed a modular home that incorporates green elements into its design, including a solar butterfly roof that collects rainwater. There are also solar panels for electricity and hot water.

metal roof served to heat the house during winter by absorbing heat and generating electricity

In Austria, cars can now fill up on a renewable, locally-produced fuel. The fuel is called “biomethane”, and it’s created by fermenting meadow grass (Poa pratensis). The grass is grown without the input of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. And it’s a true ‘cellulosic biofuel’ — it doesn’t rely on grains and oilseeds.

announce on Friday it will bid on coveted airwaves to launch a U.S. wireless network

peanut husks can potentially remove up to 95 percent of dissolved toxic copper ions from wastewater

The UK government has given approval to build the first large scale wave farm on the planet. This highly ambitious method to generate renewable energy will take place off the coast of Cornwall in Southwest England.

n some places, it isn’t necessary to have streetlights when the full moon is shining bright. Currently only a design idea, the Lunar-Resonant Street Light is a smart solution to areas that receive a decent amount of moonlight at night. This cool idea, senses the amount of light reflected by the moon and dims according to its moon phase. According to the designers, the lights used are highly efficient white-LED clusters which are 90 to 95 percent more energy efficient than standard street lights.

xxonMobil Chemical and ExxonMobil's Japanese affiliate, > Tonen Chemical > have developed a thin film separator for use in lithium-ion batteries, that would enable production of batteries like those found in cell phones and laptops, to power cars and trucks. These new film technologies are expected to significantly enhance the power, safety and reliability of lithium-ion batteries, thereby helping speed the adoption of these smaller and lighter batteries into the next wave of lower-emission vehicles. >

What is urgently needed for renewables to compete head to head with coal is not just lower capacity costs--since their fuel is free--but a low-cost way to store up their output and deliver it to the grid when it's needed.