AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[BMW gets sunny with ActiveE drivers, offers deal with Real Goods Solar]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/bmw-gets-sunny-with-activee-drivers/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/bmw-gets-sunny-with-activee-drivers/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/bmw-gets-sunny-with-activee-drivers/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Think of them as hippies in yuppie clothing.

That's the idea behind the deal BMW and solar-panel system installer Real Goods Solar is offering drivers of the German automaker's battery-electric ActiveE vehicles.

BMW is working with the Louisville, CO-based solar-panel system installer to give lessees of BMW's battery-electric ActiveEs a break on solar-power systems that may be used to power up their cars.

Real Goods Solar, which has installed more than 13,000 solar-energy systems since 1978, and BMW say customers may be able to save as much as 35 percent on solar-panel installation costs under the new agreement. ActiveE drivers in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York are eligible.

Interested parties can go to the Real Goods Solar web page here to enter their residential information and find out if they qualify and how much they'll save. For instance, a Los Angeles resident who gets power from the L.A. Department of Water and Power would require a start-up investment of about $7,500 but will save more than $81,000 in "avoided" gas and utility expenses over a 20-year period. This sort of math is exactly the kind of thing the ActiveE driver Peder Norby just wrote about - he swears he didn't know the BMW/Real Goods Solar announcement in advance. It was just good timing.

In January, the German automaker started leasing out the ActiveE to customers in markets such as Los Angeles, New York and Boston for $499 a month with a $2,250 downpayment. BMW will start making its i3, the successor to the ActiveE, in 2014.

Continue reading BMW gets sunny with ActiveE drivers, offers deal with Real Goods Solar

BMW gets sunny with ActiveE drivers, offers deal with Real Goods Solar originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activeebmwelectric vehiclereal goods solarsolar panelsolar powerThu, 10 May 2012 14:18:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235177/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235177/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/bmw-gets-sunny-with-activee-drivers/20235177/article-detail.xml 20235177 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/activee-1336617776_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/activee-1336617776.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla, SolarCity working on solar-powered energy-storage systems]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/tesla-solarcity-work-on-solar-powered-energy-storage-systems/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/tesla-solarcity-work-on-solar-powered-energy-storage-systems/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/tesla-solarcity-work-on-solar-powered-energy-storage-systems/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Tool around in a Tesla Roadster with the top down, and the sun can be a good friend. Now, Tesla Motors co-founder Elon Musk is finding an even better use for it.

Musk, who's also chairman of home solar-panel installer SolarCity, is joining the technologies of the two companies to create solar-powered rooftop energy-storage systems that would make the two companies eligible to receive rebates from the state of California, GigaOm reports. The systems would combine Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs with SolarCity's photovoltaic systems.

The two companies have filed 70 applications for systems under the California Public Utility Commission's (CPUC) Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) that would supply energy in areas served by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The CPUC had previously awarded the two companies $1.8 million for their research on the energy-storage system now being proposed.

SolarCity was founded in 2006 and says it has more than 30,000 projects either completed or in the process throughout states such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York and Texas.

Tesla, SolarCity working on solar-powered energy-storage systems originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiacpucelectric vehicleelon muskpanelssgipsolar evsolarcityteslaThu, 26 Apr 2012 09:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224218/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224218/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/tesla-solarcity-work-on-solar-powered-energy-storage-systems/20224218/article-detail.xml 20224218 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/solarcity_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/solarcity.jpg <![CDATA[Translogic chases the sun with Michigan's solar car team]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/translogic-chases-the-sun-with-michigans-solar-car-team/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/translogic-chases-the-sun-with-michigans-solar-car-team/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/translogic-chases-the-sun-with-michigans-solar-car-team/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Translogic visits the University of Michigan Solar Car Team

No, that is not the world's most awesome Michigan Wolverines beer pong table. It's a million-dollar race car that's powered by the sun, and in the most recent episode of Translogic, our sister site visits the University of Michigan Solar Car Team to learn all about it.

The Wolverines have been racing in international solar car competitions since 1989, having built 11 cars in the past 23 years. They've won the North American Solar Challenge six times, including the last three in a row, and will be defending their title this July. The team finished third in the World Solar Challenge last year in Australia, and is currently working on a new car design for the 2013 event.

The car itself, dubbed Quantum, is a poem to minimalism, light weight and efficiency. It can run at over 100 miles per hour, thanks to its ultra-efficient, 12-horsepower, in-hub electric motor and a low curb weight of just 320 pounds.

Scroll down to watch the full episode and see the U of M team in action.

Continue reading Translogic chases the sun with Michigan's solar car team

Translogic chases the sun with Michigan's solar car team originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclemichiganmichigan wolverinesnorth american solar challengequantumquantum solar carsolar cartranslogicu of muniversity of michiganuniversity of michigan solar car teamvideoworld solar challengeThu, 12 Apr 2012 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214709/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214709/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/12/translogic-chases-the-sun-with-michigans-solar-car-team/20214709/article-detail.xml 20214709 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/michigan-solar-car-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/michigan-solar-car-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Honda opens solar hydrogen station in Japan's Saitama Prefecture]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/honda-opens-solar-hydrogen-station-in-japans-saitama-prefecture/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/honda-opens-solar-hydrogen-station-in-japans-saitama-prefecture/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/08/honda-opens-solar-hydrogen-station-in-japans-saitama-prefecture/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

honda fcx clarity

For those of you who struggled with high school chemistry, this one's a doozy.

Honda has opened up a hydrogen station in Saitama, Japan that converts sunlight into hydrogen that may be used to power fuel-cell electric vehicles such as the Honda FCX Clarity.

The station, which uses both juice from the grid and solar power, can produce 1.5 kilograms of hydrogen in 24 hours. That's enough to power an FCX Clarity for about 90 miles. In addition, Honda also added an electrical outlet to the FCX Clarity so that the car can function as a power source.

For those keeping notes, the station turns sunlight into hydrogen by way of a high-pressure water electrolysis system that was developed by the Japanese automaker. The installation is the latest step in a green-transportation partnership that Honda started with the prefecture in 2009. Saitama is about 20 miles northwest of Tokyo.

Honda became the first automaker to make a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle available to the public when it started selling the FCX Clarity in Japan in late 2007. The vehicle is also in operation in California, and you can go here to read Autoblog's First Drive review.

Continue reading Honda opens solar hydrogen station in Japan's Saitama Prefecture

Honda opens solar hydrogen station in Japan's Saitama Prefecture originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fcevfcx clarityhondahydrogenhydrogen fuel cellsaitamasolarsolar hydrogensolar hydrogen stationSun, 08 Apr 2012 08:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20209830/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20209830/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/08/honda-opens-solar-hydrogen-station-in-japans-saitama-prefecture/20209830/article-detail.xml 20209830 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/hondafcxclarity_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/hondafcxclarity.jpg <![CDATA["Solartaxi" DVD about sun-powered circumnavigation now available]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/solartaxi-dvd-about-sun-powered-circumnavigation-now-available/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/solartaxi-dvd-about-sun-powered-circumnavigation-now-available/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/solartaxi-dvd-about-sun-powered-circumnavigation-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

solartaxi dvd coverThink of it as the "Endless Summer" for the green set.

A PBS-produced documentary about the Swiss teacher who drove his solar-powered taxi around the world has been released on DVD. The hour-long "Solartaxi: Around the World With the Sun" is now available on Amazon for $16.99.

The film chronicles Swiss teacher Louis Palmer, who built a solar-powered two-seat taxi that towed a trailer covered in photovoltaic cells and started driving it around the world during the summer of 2007. Palmer even affixed a taxi sign to offer rides for anyone interested in part of the journey.

Over an 18-month period, Palmer drove the taxi more than 32,000 miles, including a trip through parts of the U.S. in 2008. While most of the voyage was made on sun rays, Palmer occasionally had to plug in for a recharge when cloud-cover prevented the car from powering up. That's still enough to qualify for the "green roadtrip" title and it is an inspiring look at what's possible with a lot of ambition and mostly free energy.

"Solartaxi" DVD about sun-powered circumnavigation now available originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dvdelectric vehiclelouis palmerpbssolarsolar taxisolartaxisolartaxi dvdswisstaxiMon, 02 Apr 2012 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20205336/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20205336/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/02/solartaxi-dvd-about-sun-powered-circumnavigation-now-available/20205336/article-detail.xml 20205336 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/solartaxi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/solartaxi.jpg <![CDATA[New York company pitches Solar Sail EV charging stations]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/new-york-company-pitches-solar-sail-ev-charging-stations/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/new-york-company-pitches-solar-sail-ev-charging-stations/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/new-york-company-pitches-solar-sail-ev-charging-stations/#commentsFiled under: , ,

solar EV charging station

A New York-based company is building electric-vehicle charging stations that include solar panels in Brooklyn and says it has sold its first, in central Texas.

Pvilion, which was founded last year, says it has installed one of its stations, called the Solar Sail, in Pflugerville, TX, just outside of Austin. The company says Solar Sail's design allows the stations to be custom-built to a location's specifications because Pvilion uses lightweight materials such as solar panels that are just 1/8th of an inch thick. Pvilion CEO Colin Touhey says the stations cost about $85,000 and is promoting them as a way for companies and municipalities to promote their environmentally-friendly efforts.

Solar-powered EV stations are considered the ultimate in green transportation because they allow an electric vehicle to be recharged using renewable energy. Last summer, Mitsubishi Motors unveiled its publicly-accessible solar-powered charging station at its North American headquarters in California. That station, which was built with a system designed by Eaton and includes 96 175-watt photovoltaic modules, cost about $130,000 to build. SolarCity is another company working on this mission.

By 2017, about $4.3 billion will be spent globally on EV charging equipment, up from about $400 million in 2011, green-technology research firm Pike Research said late last year.

Continue reading New York company pitches Solar Sail EV charging stations

New York company pitches Solar Sail EV charging stations originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleplug-in hybridpvilionsolarsolar electric car chargersolar evWed, 14 Mar 2012 16:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20192336/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20192336/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/14/new-york-company-pitches-solar-sail-ev-charging-stations/20192336/article-detail.xml 20192336 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/pvilion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/pvilion.jpg <![CDATA[BMW goes solar at its Zentrum Museum in South Carolina]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/bmw-goes-solar-at-its-zentrum-museum-in-south-carolina/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/bmw-goes-solar-at-its-zentrum-museum-in-south-carolina/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/bmw-goes-solar-at-its-zentrum-museum-in-south-carolina/#commentsFiled under: , ,



BMW says its Zentrum Museum in Greenville, SC, is now fully solar powered and includes three electric-vehicle charging stations, marking the German automaker's continued efforts to boost its green credibility.

With help from Southern Energy Management, BMW spent $500,000 to install 400 solar panels that produce 96 kilowatts of energy, or enough to power the half-acre museum and charging stations. The installation is part of a broader effort by BMW to cut its carbon footprint through initiatives that include factory-efficiency improvements and a hydrogen-storage center.

The German automaker is looking to make strides through plant improvements and vehicle electrification. BMW last month recently started offering leases on its Active E electric vehicle in the U.S. That car is launching in markets such as Los Angeles, New York and Boston, and can be leased for $499 a month with a $2,250 down payment.

The company also joins automakers like Ford Motor Co. and General Motors that have made efforts to cut waste and energy usage at their facilities. Ford Motor Co. said late last month that it planned to reduce landfill waste from its Europe plants by 70 percent and cut water use by 30 percent within five years. And General Motors said last month in its first sustainability report since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009 that more than 80 of its factories produce no landfill materials.

Continue reading BMW goes solar at its Zentrum Museum in South Carolina

BMW goes solar at its Zentrum Museum in South Carolina originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwelectric vehiclegreenvillesolarsolar powersouth carolinazentrum museumMon, 13 Feb 2012 08:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20169489/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20169489/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/13/bmw-goes-solar-at-its-zentrum-museum-in-south-carolina/20169489/article-detail.xml 20169489 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bmwzentrum_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bmwzentrum.jpg <![CDATA[Infographic: A lifetime of fuel costs, gas vs. solar]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

solar vs gasoline fuel cost chart

When you drive a plug-in vehicle for the first time, it's common to get the "EV grin" that advocates have talked about for a long time. But, once that initial thrill quiets down a bit, something else can happen - you start to think about the bigger picture.

That's the road that Mini E (and now BMW ActiveE) driver Peder Norby is on, and so he did a few calculations to extrapolate his particular set-up - driving electric cars that are powered by the solar panels on his roof - to a lifetime of driving and wanted to share it with AutoblogGreen. We can argue the pros and cons of gasoline cars and the limitations of EV all day long, but Norby's numbers are impressive. His bottom line: just for the fuel, a gasoline-car driver will pay $275,000 over 50 years while a solar-powered EV driver will pay just $12,000.

This can be, of course, highly variable. Norby uses a 20-mile-per-gallon gas car and an average price of $3.50 as his fossil-fueled example. We all know that 20 mpg cars will not be available much longer. Still, the exact numbers don't matter as much as the gist. And Norby could have included other costs in the chart. He writes:

[The chart] does not include external cost such as the protection of oil, propping up oil supplying countries, clean up of oil, environmental or healthcare cost, nor does it include the cost of grid electricity at night when an electric car normally charges. ... Nor does the graph include the price of the cars themselves. A reasonable argument can be made for both the gasoline car and the electric car as to which one will be cheaper to own and maintain for the next 50 years. I'm betting on the electric car :)

We imagine that if our readers apply the math to their own situation, they'll also find it makes sense to put money down on EVs. Does it?

Infographic: A lifetime of fuel costs, gas vs. solar originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefuel costsgasoline costspeder norbyplug-in hybridsolar energyTue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20165623/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20165623/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/07/infographic-a-lifetime-of-fuel-costs-gas-vs-solar/20165623/article-detail.xml 20165623 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fuel-cost-chart-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fuel-cost-chart-628.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Redstone-Sun Cup going electric with solar power at Baja 1000]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/23/2012-redstone-sun-cup-going-electric-with-solar-power-at-baja-10/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/23/2012-redstone-sun-cup-going-electric-with-solar-power-at-baja-10/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/23/2012-redstone-sun-cup-going-electric-with-solar-power-at-baja-10/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Electric vehicles can work hard, as the 2012 Redstone-Sun Cup (not pictured) should prove when it roars off as part of next year's Baja 1000 in Mexico. The challenge is not just to race across rough desert terrain - without roads - for 1,000 miles, but to "spur the best and the brightest in the electric vehicle and solar technology fields to work with racing teams" in the development of an electric Baja race vehicle that will be charged up by solar power.

Like all good green racing programs, the end goal is not the finish line but to get the rugged EV technologies used in the competition onto the highway. Sun Cup Challenge and Redstone Energy Group co-founder Rick Skelton said in a statement that, "By demonstrating that the technology can maneuver the rugged terrain of an off-road racecourse for 1,000 miles, this will show the world that this technology is more than ready for use in typical urban commuter settings." Redstone co-founder Cole Walker put it another way: "Remember the moon shot? We are saying it's time for a sun shot."

The 2012 Baja 1000 runs from Ensenada To La Paz in mid-November.

Continue reading 2012 Redstone-Sun Cup going electric with solar power at Baja 1000

2012 Redstone-Sun Cup going electric with solar power at Baja 1000 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baja 1000electric vehicleredstoneredstone sun cupsolarWed, 23 Nov 2011 14:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20112479/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20112479/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/23/2012-redstone-sun-cup-going-electric-with-solar-power-at-baja-10/20112479/article-detail.xml 20112479 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/score-off-road-racing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/score-off-road-racing.jpg <![CDATA[SunPower will let Nissan Leaf owners move with the sun]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/sunpower-lets-nissan-leaf-owners-move-with-the-sun/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/sunpower-lets-nissan-leaf-owners-move-with-the-sun/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/sunpower-lets-nissan-leaf-owners-move-with-the-sun/#commentsFiled under: , ,

sunpower home panelSolar power and electric cars are a match made in heaven, right? Sure. That's why Ford announced a partnership with SunPower back in August and why Nissan did the same thing today.

Ford's partnership with SunPower involves the option to get a 2.5-kilowatt rooftop solar system with your Ford plug-in car, starting with the Focus Electric. Nissan's deal seems to be more about information than installation, offering "new online content, including a video tutorial that describes how solar power systems convert sunlight into clean, renewable power for use in the home and for charging electric vehicles." Visitors to the SunPower site can then get a personal home solar assessment, and the press release mentions a "2.5-kilowatt SunPower rooftop solar system," so it's pretty clear that SunPower is offering what it thinks is a suitable home solar set-up for new electric vehicle drivers no matter what their brand. There's no mention of price in the Nissan announcement, but Ford's "Drive Green for Life" option costs around $10,000 (after federal tax credits).

Toyota has also worked with SunPower on its huge solar installation on Toyota's North America Parts Center California.

Continue reading SunPower will let Nissan Leaf owners move with the sun

SunPower will let Nissan Leaf owners move with the sun originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleleafnissan solarnissan solar chargingsolar leafsunpowerMon, 07 Nov 2011 18:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20100750/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20100750/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/07/sunpower-lets-nissan-leaf-owners-move-with-the-sun/20100750/article-detail.xml 20100750 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/sunpower-house-panels-250_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/sunpower-house-panels-250.png <![CDATA[Tokai University wins 1,860-mile World Solar Challenge for second year in a row]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/tokai-university-wins-1-860-mile-world-solar-challenge-for-secon/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/tokai-university-wins-1-860-mile-world-solar-challenge-for-secon/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/tokai-university-wins-1-860-mile-world-solar-challenge-for-secon/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Fro the second year in a row, Tokai University can lay claim to the winner's laurels in the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge, a sun-powered race challenge in Australia that winds over 1,800 miles between Darwin and Adelaide using only 5 kWh of on-board energy and the rest beamed in directly from the sun. As the race's website says, "These are arguably the most efficient electric vehicles."

According to the provisional results (so called because they are subject to protests from any of the teams, even though this is known as a "friendly competition"), seven teams managed to go the entire 2,998 kilometer (1,862 miles) but Tokai came out on top because their average speed - 91.54 kilometers an hour (56.88 miles per hour) - was faster than any other finisher. The Tokai's final time was 32 hours and 45 minutes. The fact that only seven teams finished out of a starting list of 37 shows that this is not an easy race, and this year was particularly difficult thanks to brush fires (set by arsonists) along the route. The team that came in last, Green Maniac from Korea, only managed to travel 73 kilometers.

Tokai University wins 1,860-mile World Solar Challenge for second year in a row originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaracingsolartokai challengertokai universityveolia world solar challengeworld solar challengeMon, 31 Oct 2011 09:38:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20088299/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20088299/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/31/tokai-university-wins-1-860-mile-world-solar-challenge-for-secon/20088299/article-detail.xml 20088299 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/tokai-solar-car-race-winner_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/tokai-solar-car-race-winner.jpg <![CDATA[Solar Ship sails the skies, schlepps supplies]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/22/solar-ship-sails-the-skies-schlepps-supplies/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/22/solar-ship-sails-the-skies-schlepps-supplies/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/22/solar-ship-sails-the-skies-schlepps-supplies/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rendering of Solar Ship over desert landscape

By crossing airships with airplanes, Solar Ship is creating craft that can carry heavy loads long distances with a tiny carbon footprint. Filled with helium, they soak up rays from the sun to provide the energy for forward motion and fulfill its original design challenge - carry 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs) of payload 1,000 kilometers (621.4 miles).

The company says it has recently completed and flown its first prototype and plans a three-strong range with both solar-only and hybrid models. From the 150 kg-capable (330.7 lbs) sun-powered Caracal, to the range-extended, mothership-sized Nanuq with the ability to haul 30 metric tons (66,139 lbs), the Canadian firm envisions its flying machines doing tasks as diverse as hauling humanitarian relief to moving payloads for mining operations in remote locations.

Though public demonstration of the heavier-than-air craft will only occur sometime in the summer of 2013, you can get a preview of the company's aeronautical vision in the promotional video after the break.

Continue reading Solar Ship sails the skies, schlepps supplies

Solar Ship sails the skies, schlepps supplies originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftairplaneairshipcaracaljay godsallnanqsolar shipsolar-poweredSat, 22 Oct 2011 08:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20085709/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20085709/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/22/solar-ship-sails-the-skies-schlepps-supplies/20085709/article-detail.xml 20085709 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/solar-ship-render-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/solar-ship-render-628.jpg <![CDATA[How Robert Llewellyn drives his Nissan Leaf 1,000 miles for less than $9]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/how-robert-llewellyn-drives-his-nissan-leaf-1-000-miles-for-less/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/how-robert-llewellyn-drives-his-nissan-leaf-1-000-miles-for-less/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/how-robert-llewellyn-drives-his-nissan-leaf-1-000-miles-for-less/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Nissan Leaf

Oftentimes when we cover Robert Llewellyn, it's his plug-in-centric show Fully Charged that's in the spotlight. However, this time 'round, it's Llewellyn and his Nissan Leaf that come into focus.

It's no secret that Llewellyn is a plug-in fan and that he is truly brilliant at conveying his message through various forms of media. But actions often speak louder than words, and Llewellyn has chosen to live what he preaches.

Here's the headline: Llewellyn has managed to drive his Nissan Leaf 1,000 miles at a cost of only £5.38 ($8.46 U.S. at the current exchange rate). That's equal to approximately 118 miles per dollar. For comparison, a Toyota Prius would require roughly 20 gallons of gas to cover 1,000 miles. At today's average price of $3.59 per gallon of gas, a Prius would cover 1,000 miles at an approximate cost of $71.80.

Here's how Robert did it: three months ago, Llewellyn had solar panels installed on the roof of his home office. He then documented the energy generated by the panels generated and calculated how much of that he used to charge his Nissan Leaf. To date, he reckons, 85 percent of the energy used to charge his vehicle has come from the sun, with the remaining 15 percent coming from grid electricity when the sun doesn't shine on Robert's home and from the UK's not-always-free network of charging stations.

Some number crunching lead Robert to the conclusion that his Leaf has covered 1,000 miles for less than $9. Of course, that figure doesn't include the cost of his solar setup, which comes in at a healthy £11,500 ($18,088 U.S.), but we don't factor in the cost of installing gasoline pumps when we calculate cost-per-mile numbers for gas vehicles, either.

How Robert Llewellyn drives his Nissan Leaf 1,000 miles for less than $9 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleleafnissannissan leafoperating costrobert llewellynsolarsolar chargersolar chargingTue, 20 Sep 2011 12:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20046356/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20046356/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/20/how-robert-llewellyn-drives-his-nissan-leaf-1-000-miles-for-less/20046356/article-detail.xml 20046356 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/01nissanleaf2011fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/01nissanleaf2011fd.jpg <![CDATA[Elon Musk: "majority" of vehicles will be electric by 2030 [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/17/elon-musk-majority-of-vehicles-will-be-electric-by-2030/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/17/elon-musk-majority-of-vehicles-will-be-electric-by-2030/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/17/elon-musk-majority-of-vehicles-will-be-electric-by-2030/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Elon Musk

The oft-outspoken chief executive officer of Tesla Motors, Elon Musk, is chomping at the electric bit again.

While speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco recently, Musk, a 40-year-old billionaire recently profiled by Bloomberg Risk Takers, shared an enthusiastic vision of electric cars and solar energy with the room-filling crowd.

Musk said that, "Starting a company is like eating glass and staring into the abyss of death." Even so, that's the attitude it'll take to solve the big problem of the 21st century, one of which will be sustainable energy. Musk even detailed his vision of the world 20 years from now, claiming:
On the energy side, I think by the mid-point of the century solar power will be the single largest source of energy. Maybe not a majority, but the largest single source.
Perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise, but Musk was also incredibly optimistic about EVs, stating that electric vehicles will make up the majority of new vehicles within two decades. Yes, that's over 50 percent by 2031. This is way beyond other estimates, and shows that Tesla's CEO, a man who's quite possibly one of the leading innovators of our day, is a true believer in electric vehicles. Hit the jump for video of Musk's keynote address at TechCrunch Disrupt.

Continue reading Elon Musk: "majority" of vehicles will be electric by 2030 [w/video]

Elon Musk: "majority" of vehicles will be electric by 2030 [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskmuskmusk teslasolarsolar powertech crunch disrupttesla ceotesla motorsvideoSat, 17 Sep 2011 16:17:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20044720/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20044720/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/17/elon-musk-majority-of-vehicles-will-be-electric-by-2030/20044720/article-detail.xml 20044720 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/elon-musk-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/elon-musk-630.jpg <![CDATA[Eco Marine Power says solar panel sails will make waves in the future]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/02/eco-marine-power-says-solar-panel-sails-will-make-waves-in-the-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/02/eco-marine-power-says-solar-panel-sails-will-make-waves-in-the-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/02/eco-marine-power-says-solar-panel-sails-will-make-waves-in-the-f/#commentsFiled under: ,

Eco Marine Power

The invisible winds have long enabled ships to cross vast seas, but it just can't match fuel for speed and power when you're trying to move tons of freight from continent to continent. Now, Eco Marine Power says it's time to turn back the clock. Well, sort of.

You see, Eco Marine Power has developed rigid sails that can be installed on a ship's deck. Called Aquarius, these sails, at least in theory, could harness wind power for motivation, taking us party back to the days of yore (it is a tried and true idea). Eco Marine Power's sails are not made of cotton, nylon or even kevlar. Nope, these sails are rigid solar panels, so they can harness the energy of the sun to power the vessel's various on-board systems while they also get a wind boost.

Of course, as with most potentially groundbreaking technologies, Eco Marine Power has some hurdles to overcome. For example, the sails take up space on most of the ship's deck, leaving almost no room for shipping containers. This doesn't mean the idea should be scrapped, however: we think this technology could be employed on vessels that don't transport materials topside, something ironic like oil tanker?

Eco Marine Power says solar panel sails will make waves in the future originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aquarius systemboatseco marineeco marine powersailsshipssolar panelssolar powersolar sailsFri, 02 Sep 2011 08:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20028047/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20028047/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/02/eco-marine-power-says-solar-panel-sails-will-make-waves-in-the-f/20028047/article-detail.xml 20028047 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/eco-marine_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/eco-marine.png <![CDATA[Volkswagen to invest $1.4 billion in offshore wind farms, other sources of renewable energy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/28/volkswagen-to-invest-1-4-billion-in-offshore-wind-farms-other/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/28/volkswagen-to-invest-1-4-billion-in-offshore-wind-farms-other/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/28/volkswagen-to-invest-1-4-billion-in-offshore-wind-farms-other/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wind turbineVolkswagen is getting ready to open its pocketbook in a thunderous way. Financial Times Deutschland reports that VW will turn its eye for renewable energy to the sea, wind and sun, joining in on VW group partner Audi's ongoing renewable energy projects.

VW will reportedly dish out two billion euros ($1.4 billion U.S. at the current exchange rate) over the next two years to get more involved with renewable energy. FTD reports that VW will seek out and secure a, "partner for ecological power generation" by year's end and will detail its grand renewable energy plan in the near future.

It's believed that much of VW's renewable energy work will focus on offshore wind farms in the North Sea, with some money set aside for solar and hydropower. This investment should lead to electric automobiles becoming a bit closer to true "zero-emissions" vehicles in some areas of Europe. The timing is good for VW, so, since its electric vehicles won't be here for a few years.

Volkswagen to invest $1.4 billion in offshore wind farms, other sources of renewable energy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleshydro poweroffshore wind farmrenewable energysolarvolkswagenvw europewind farsmSun, 28 Aug 2011 12:42:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20027846/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20027846/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/28/volkswagen-to-invest-1-4-billion-in-offshore-wind-farms-other/20027846/article-detail.xml 20027846 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/wind-turbine1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/wind-turbine1.jpg <![CDATA[Mitsui, Toshiba to construct massive 50-MW solar power facility in Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/mitsui-toshiba-to-construct-massive-50-mw-solar-power-facility/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/mitsui-toshiba-to-construct-massive-50-mw-solar-power-facility/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/mitsui-toshiba-to-construct-massive-50-mw-solar-power-facility/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ford's solar array at Michigan Assembly Plant
Ford's solar array at Michigan Assembly Plant

The Japanese duo of Mitsui Chemicals and Toshiba have crafted a plan to construct the island nation's most extensive solar power facility to date, according to the Nikkei business daily.

The project is in anticipation of the passage of a bill in Japan that will require utilities to purchase a percentage of electricity from renewable sources at fixed rates. It's anticipated the bill will become law by July of 2012.

The proposed 50,000-kW solar facility will be constructed on 800,000 square meters (198 acres) of land owned by Mitsui Chemicals. The cost of the project is estimated at 20 billion yen ($262.3 million U.S. at the current exchange rate) and is expected to be functional by the end of 2013. Mitsui Chemicals and Toshiba say they will sell electricity directly to Chubu Electric Power.

Mitsui, Toshiba to construct massive 50-MW solar power facility in Japan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electricityjapanmitsuirenewable energysolarsolar powertoshibaThu, 25 Aug 2011 11:12:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20022666/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20022666/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/25/mitsui-toshiba-to-construct-massive-50-mw-solar-power-facility/20022666/article-detail.xml 20022666 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/ford-turns-solar-at-michigan-plant-326861_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/ford-turns-solar-at-michigan-plant-326861.jpg <![CDATA[Stanford University unveils solar-powered Xenith, the car that's more aerodynamic than a bike]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/22/stanford-university-solar-powered-xenith/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/22/stanford-university-solar-powered-xenith/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/22/stanford-university-solar-powered-xenith/#commentsFiled under: , ,

solar-powered Xenith
Xenith - Click above to watch video after the jump

Tipping the scales at a scant 375 pounds, the solar-powered Xenith has a 4-inch thick thin chassis made of a blend of carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum. A novel steering system puts the driver in control of the front wheel, while a computer steers the two rear wheels. The result: a spaceship-like vehicle that has less aerodynamic drag than a rider on a bicycle. That's not bad for a vehicle that can cruise continuously at 55 miles per hour fueled only by the sun.

The Xenith, as this thing is called, was unveiled last Thursday by Stanford University, after two years in the making. The team will be competing in the prestigious World Solar Challenge this fall, putting Xenith to the ultimate test in a 2,000-mile trek across the Australian continent. For the 20-member team, heading off to Australia for the 11th World Solar Challenge will be the thrilling and tumultuous end to a long voyage. Once Down Under, the Xenith will be pitted against 30 vehicles, including solar-powered rides from 20 other countries. If victorious, then Stanford University will become the first American team to win the the race since 1987. Hit the jump to catch video of the powered-by-the-sun Xenith in action.

Continue reading Stanford University unveils solar-powered Xenith, the car that's more aerodynamic than a bike

Stanford University unveils solar-powered Xenith, the car that's more aerodynamic than a bike originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>solarsolar powersolar vehiclestanfordstanford solar car projectstanford universityvideoxenithxenith solar vehicleMon, 22 Aug 2011 07:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20022138/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20022138/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/22/stanford-university-solar-powered-xenith/20022138/article-detail.xml 20022138 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/xenith_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/xenith.png <![CDATA[Solar energy could match coal's price by 2015 in China; globally by 2020]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/21/solar-energy-match-coal-price-2015-china-globally-2020/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/21/solar-energy-match-coal-price-2015-china-globally-2020/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/21/solar-energy-match-coal-price-2015-china-globally-2020/#commentsFiled under: ,


Solar Flare

A new report from the Chinese government notes that the cost of solar power in that country could drop below 0.80 yuan (12.5 cents) per kilowatt-hour by 2015. At that price, solar matches up favorably with the current go-to source for cheap energy, coal. How? Well, China already expects to double its solar-electric capacity by the end of the year and is providing incentives for further growth.

This follows a report issued last April in which Bloomberg New Energy Finance projected that solar power could be price competitive with coal around the world by 2020. Both large-scale installations and rooftop solar have seen a steady decrease in cost that is expected to continue for several years. According to Bloomberg's numbers, the true cost of retail electricity from solar may already rival that of coal.

Over the next two years, the rate of solar panel installation is expected to surge as prices continue a steady decline while performance and availability improve. For decades, coal has been cheap to use, but the high initial cost of constructing coal plants, the current low cost for natural gas, and plunging prices for renewables have made building new coal plants a risky proposition. As a result, many proposed coal plants in the United States have been canceled. China has constructed hundreds of new coal plants to feed that nation's rapidly increasing demand for electricity, but the result has been high levels of pollution (and high numbers of mining deaths). With the parity in prices, China may now move its power demand toward solar.

Earlier this month, the United States DOE authorized a new 290 megawatt photovoltaic system in Yuma County, Arizona. Worldwide manufacturing capacity for photovoltaics has jumped to 27.5 gigawatts, a nearly 400 percent increase in three years.

When you put all these items together, the future looks pretty bright for the sun's energy (pun intended). Market forces, which have long supported increased use of fossil fuels, may have already shifted to the side of solar, and that's a good thing for everyone, but especially for those with plug-in vehicles.

Solar energy could match coal's price by 2015 in China; globally by 2020 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coalenergyphotovoltaicsolar powerSun, 21 Aug 2011 16:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20021990/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20021990/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/21/solar-energy-match-coal-price-2015-china-globally-2020/20021990/article-detail.xml 20021990 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/solarflare_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/solarflare.jpg <![CDATA[Solar Roadways gets $750,000 to create solar parking lot]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/solar-roadways-gets-750-000-to-create-solar-parking-lot/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/solar-roadways-gets-750-000-to-create-solar-parking-lot/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/solar-roadways-gets-750-000-to-create-solar-parking-lot/#commentsFiled under: ,


Solar Roadways Image

What do you need to generate a lot of electricity from photoelectric solar cells? A lot of surface area. What is a lot of the surface of the United States covered in? Roads. Put those two ideas together, and the idea of turning the nation's highways into solar farms doesn't sound too odd, does it? Well, maybe it doesn't until you consider that you're talking about taking electronics - electronics that are typically somewhat delicate and rather expensive - and purposely putting them on the ground where heavy vehicles will zoom over them at high speed. Ouch.

Replacing crushed stone and tar with LEDs and capacitors seems so unlikely that when Solar Roadways was awarded $100,000 to construct a small, 12' by 12' prototype system in 2009, infrastructure blog The Infrastructionist gave the effort its "Dubious Green Scheme" award and labeled Solar Roadways not just "harebrained" but "totally batshit crazy."

As it turns out, that initial panel impressed the Department of Transportation enough that Solar Roadways has now been given $750,000 to take it to the next step: a solar parking lot. Constructed out of multiple 12' x 12' panels, the smart parking lot will do more than the asphalt alternative. It will warm itself in cold weather to melt away snow and ice. A layer of embedded LEDs can be used create traffic warnings or crosswalks. Electricity leftover from those tasks could be used to charge electric vehicles or routed into the power grid. The electrical components will be embedded between layers of hardened, textured glass - this may sound fragile, but is already tough enough that some areas use the material for sidewalks.

Parking lots, driveways, and eventually highways are all targets for the panels. If the nation's system of interstate highways was surfaced with Solar Roadways panels, the results would be more than three times the amount of electricity currently consumed. Of course, at $100,000 per 12', costs would need to come down significant bit before that could happen.

And if you're wondering who gets this first super-smart parking lot the answer is... Scott Brusaw, the CEO of Solar Roadways. Now who's crazy?

Solar Roadways gets $750,000 to create solar parking lot originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>highwayssolarsolar energysolar roadwaysFri, 19 Aug 2011 14:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20021886/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20021886/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/19/solar-roadways-gets-750-000-to-create-solar-parking-lot/20021886/article-detail.xml 20021886 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/solar-roadways-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/solar-roadways-630.jpg -1 2