"The Best Buy prototype will have some combination of energy-efficient lighting, rainwater recycling, recycled or otherwise eco-friendly building materials, a high-efficiency HVAC system and some type of day-lighting system."

One of the technologies most likely under consideration for the day-lighting system is something called "Hybrid Solar Lighting". This tech — somewhat related to how the Egyptians used to light the inside of their massive structures — uses mirrors to direct light through optical fibres connected to specially adapted bulbs. If it gets cloudy outside, the sensors automatically adjust internal standard lighting conditions appropriately. Using such systems can save a store like Best Buy more than 8,000 kilowatt hours a year in heating and cooling costs. According to some studies, such natural lighting conditions are also good for your health.

Anyways, this move by Best Buy is encouraging since of the more than 800 LEED certified projects out there, only 50 are retail. If BB can take the first step in committing to sustainable building, hopefully the other big box stores will not be far behind. Stay tuned.

via Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal

Also on GO:

The Bentonville Diaries: Bentonville Sam’s Club

While these stories on solar efficiency going up and up might become as repetitive as Al Gore on the cover of magazines, they’re still an important reminder that R&D, investments, and technology are moving ever forward in this industry.

It was announced today that the University of Delaware has achieved 42.8% efficiency with a silicon solar cell in the conversion of sunlight to energy. The previous record-holder of 40.7% efficiency may make this seem ho-hum, but this latest achievement allows for a much broader range of applications. How so? The earlier technology reached 40% using a solar cell with a thickness of almost one foot! The new process allows over 42% while keeping the cell to just under 1 centimeter. A massive difference indeed! From the article,

"This is a major step toward our goal of 50 percent efficiency,’ Barnett said. ‘The percentage is a record under any circumstance, but it’s particularly noteworthy because it’s at low concentration, approximately 20 times magnification. The low profile and lack of moving parts translates into portability, which means these devices easily could go on a laptop computer or a rooftop.’ Honsberg said the advance of 2 percentage points is noteworthy in a field where gains of 0.2 percent are the norm and gains of 1 percent are seen as significant breakthroughs."

Current solar arrays — lie the ones you might increasingly be seeing on rooftops — have commercially peaked at 17%. This latest breakthrough — which Dupont and the University are working to bring to market by 2010 — would allow the same energy output in less than half the space. Beautiful! Let’s hope price drops follow efficiency increases. One can dream, one can dream…

For more information on the achievement, please click here.

An almost 700 mile long fence between the US and Mexico border is raising alarm with environmentalists concerned about impacts to wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. The fence is being created to help curb the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States; a construction move that Mexican officials claim will cause irreparable environmental damages. From the article,

A report prepared for the Mexican government by experts and environmental activists from Mexico and the US said the barriers could isolate border animals into smaller groups, affecting their genetic diversity. These include jaguars, Mexican black bears and the endangered antelope-like Sonora Pronghorn.

Additionally, the massive strong lights and other equipment adorning the perimeter line will upset animals with nocturnal systems and natural radar.

Proposed additions to the fence to help abate environmental concerns include "green corridors" — to easily allow the passage of animals, pollen, and other organisms — but not humans. These corridors would not have roads and would be difficult for peope to transverse. Additionally, environmentalists are petitioning for permeable sections that would allow water, pollen, and insects to pass — thereby keeping some form of connection between habitats.

Something tells me that the US Government is not going to let environmentalism stand in its way to keep out illegal immigrants. A 700 mile long fence seems like a rather crude and ancient way of dealing with the situation, but I’m at a loss on the subject to suggest alternatives. One does feel that animal habitats or migration routes will be cut off as a result. Have we given this construction project any thought beyond its intended use? Hit the jump for more.

While the world has been heaping praise upon hybrid technology for its mileage-boosting properties, a forgotten and alienated alternative has quietly been evolving with even more impressive green numbers. I’m speaking of diesel engines, of course, which, up until a few years ago, were nary on the radar of American consumers. Early diesel engines in the U.S. were dirty, loud, and generally associated with some pretty terrible cars. Buried under environmental regulations and poor sales, they faded away to only a handful of brands.

Today, the diesel engine has roared back to life as a versatile, efficient, and green alternative to standard petrol cars. Automakers have taken notice, and diesel options for upcoming models are being included in roadmaps. Of particular interest, earlier this month Honda showed off an Accord that gets 62.8 miles per gallon with its diesel engine. This is right up there with the best current hybrids have to offer — but with even more power. Emissions ratings are about the same, but the diesel Accord picks up points by burning fuel even cleaner when run on biodiesel. Honda expects to release the diesel edition as part of its 2010 model lineup.

Expect additional diesel cars around 2010 from Audi, Saab, BMW, Mini Cooper, and hopefully, Hummer.

via CNET

We all look at photos of air pollution in urban areas and cringe — how could anyone breathe the air in such settings? Then again, when you’re in the thick of a downtown city, very little indicates (beyond smell) that what you’re breathing is less than adequate for your health. Besides, you’ve got a meeting in 20 minutes!

Yes, the air (in America at least) is much better today than it was decades ago. The Clean Air Act did its job of extending the lives of urban dwellers and decreasing the particles in the air. Its effects, however, may only be temporary. After all, we’re a growing nation, with a growing transportation infrastructure, and a growing need for more and more energy. It’s unfathomable to believe for such an advanced civilization, but we’re still poisoning ourselves everyday — and the detriments are coming to light.

Obviously, breathing in polluted air is not good for our lungs, especially for those with asthma. A new study released yesterday, however, reports that our hearts as well may be at risk. According to the University of California, Los Angeles, tiny particles of soot from trucks and factories combine with cholesterol to activate genes that trigger hardening of the arteries. This reaction can then generate a heart attack. So likely is the relationship, that the American Cancer Society has reported a 6 percent increase in heart-and lung-related deaths for "every 10 micrograms per cubic meter rise in particulates".

Most damaging is diesel exhaust from large trucks, off-road vehicles, and construction equipment. In California yesterday, the nation’s toughest regulations to curb diesel pollution were passed. According to health officials, Californians could save between $18 billion and $26 billion in associated health care costs once there is full compliance by 2020. The new standards will also reduce nitrogen oxide by 32 percent and cut pollution attributed to particulate matter by 74 percent. And this is only with regulations on California’s construction industry! A showdown in 2008 to regulate diesel emissions spewed by big rigs entering and traveling within the state will reduce harmful emissions even more.

These are all important steps. We cannot continue to thump our chests and place our intelligence as a species above all while we irreparably damage our bodies and stare blindly at the consequences. There are alternatives. They are costly. They are not easy. But neither is the thought of continuing to live in a society where fresh air comes at a premium. Our hearts need to be in the right place.

As countless Discovery Channel specials have taught me: Throw enough water at any desert region and in a little more than a few days, you'll be staring at a lush paradise. Such is the case with Texas which — together with Oklahoma and Kansas — has received 330 percent its normal rainfall over the past several weeks. Every major river basin in the state flooded — a feat that has not occurred since 1957.

The result? Dense vegetation is now covering a massive portion of the state as seen in dramatic satellite images taken between June 11 and June 20th. From the article,

The deep, emerald green indicates regions where plants are growing more quickly or robust than average, and the dark, almost-black color marks where vegetation was most dense. Brown spots point to clouds or water on the ground, which in some cases may mask plant growth.

Quite the amazing development. Seeing something so generally "sandy-colored" turn into a lush region is a testament to the power of nature. Before Texans start considering climate change a feather in the cap, however, one must take into account that these massive rains killed more than a dozen people and displaced thousands more. In a time of year when Texans are fighting wildfires, they're now faced with copious water. Too much. Are such devastating unusual acts of nature set to occur more frequently or is this simply a "Every 50 Years" event? Can we afford to sit and ponder?

Why such a glowing assessment? Texas has the sunlight, the land, and the backing of the people to make such alternative energy goals a reality. In a recent survey, 84 percent of Texas power consumers responded favorably to the question “Do you think the Texas Legislature should encourage investment in solar power in Texas?" Combined with rapidly decreasing costs of production and installation of solar cells worldwide, the timing appears right for the Lonestar State to capitalize on its energy potential. Already, plans are coming together to build the largest wind farm in the world in Texas.

With renewable power receiving an intense amount of investment and publicity, I have a feeling that the next decade will usher in a boom for skilled workers looking to capitalize on the next energy revolution. One hopes that more schools and programs will be created to satisfy the massive demand that is coming. The United States cannot afford to ignore these trends — especially in education — while the rest of the world graduates tomorrow's skilled labor force. Pony up, Texas. Lead the way.

Click here to download the Institute's report.

Fuel cells are now poised to become a part of everything from our laptops to our heaters to our vehicles. One car maker, Honda, has been particularly active in investing in the future with their concept FCX fuel cell vehicle. On Tuesday, the FCX made its European debut in Sweden sporting some new features that are notably impressive over previous incarnations of the model. First off, the vehicle is highly efficient, with an energy efficiency of around 60 percent. According to the release, this is “approximately three times that of a petrol-engine vehicle, twice that of a hybrid vehicle and 10 percent better than the current FCX.”

Additionally, the new fuel cell stack is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than the current Honda FCX FC Stack. Going small, however, hasn’t impacted power — the new model delivers 14kW over the previous. Overall, the power plant weighs less and is about 40% smaller in volume. This has allowed the engineers to design a vehicle that much more spacious and “modern” looking and less like a concept vehicle. Further promoting the FCX’s green credentials the interior fabric is made from Honda Bio-Fabric, a plant-based material that offers outstanding durability and resistance to sunlight damage. Interesting.

So, the next step in the evolution of Honda’s offering has arrived — and with a 30% greater range than its predecessor. If the industry can continue to reign in the investments and find support from federal and state governments, 10-15 years may actually be 10-15 years away. Call me a believer.

While the company stopped short of announcing an all-electric model, such additions as regenerative breaking, advanced turbocharged engines, massive weight reductions and biofuels are all on the table. Plans are in place to reduce the weight of every car over its predecessor by 300kg. Engines will be downsized, and future Ferraris will be able to use E80 bioethanol fuel. Average CO2 emissions across the product line will be reduced from 400g/km to 250.

The regenerative breaking scheme will not go towards charging batteries (as happens with hybrids) but will instead be used to assist in shifting, allowing for smoother gear changes. The overall aerodynamics of the vehicle will also be improved to reduce drag and improve mileage.

These are small, but notable changes nonetheless for a car that might otherwise shy away from even admitting green intentions. One prediction: This is only the beginning. If the Tesla Roadster takes off — and battery technology continues to lose weight and gain power — we'll see Ferrari embrace a clean, green model down the road. My inner-child and retirement cash will be waiting.

Hit the jump for more.

Not content, however, to simply let a few thousand solar panels represent their green values, Google also unveiled a new parking garage specifically designed for plug-in-electric vehicles and hybrid cars. Employees can now charge while at work and hit the road freshly juiced afterwards. "Wait a minute," you say. "There aren't any commercial plug-in cars available yet!" And you're right. So, to address this issue, Google is also taking hybrid vehicles and converting them to plug-ins so that they can cruise along on only electricity for longer periods of time and at greater speeds. According to the article, they've so far converted four Toyota Prius and two Ford Escapes. Almost 100 such conversions are planned for employees to use as a car-share program while at work. Who are these guys?

Hold on, there's more. Monday also marked the launch of Google's new philanthropic division, RechargeIT. The group has earmarked $10 million for investments in companies and projects that support alternative transportation that reduces the use of fossil fuels and emissions. You can also visit the site to see how the plug-in cars that Google has converted are performing.

To say this is encouraging would be a bit of an understatement. Would the rest of the corporate U.S. please pay attention? The future of business sustainability lies in example at Google HQ. We applaud their efforts and hope such green initiative become contagious nationwide.

Hit the jump for more.

In addition to this package, the Senate is also considering endorsing a bill by Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico that would raise $10 billion from companies that drill for oil and gas in federal waters but do not currently pay royalties to the government. How silly is that? Oil companies are of course complaining through megaphones claiming that such measures will take money away from drilling and exploring in the U.S. — something that seems about as genuine as their accounting. Did you know that there's an accounting loophole that allows oil companies to save $5 billion a year in taxes? Senator Charles Schumer of New York is attempting to close it with another new bill.

What all of this means is that the honeymoon for the oil industry is clearly over. Sure, there will continue to be record profits and a gushing cash flow, but tax break, subsidies, and other perks will no longer be specific to fossil fuels. The United States is finally beginning to recognize that renewable energy is as important to the security and sustainability of the country as are other sources. As Senator Bingham succinctly put it the other day, "We are cutting back subsidies for the oil and gas industry and using that money to finance the development of new and cleaner sources of energy."

It's about time, Congress. Welcome to the 21st Century. The rest of the world has been waiting. Hit the jump for more.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the solar news that shined brightest this week. First up is General Electric, who is finally taking their "Ecoimagination" campaign and applying it to the home front with a massive corporate solar installation. Almost 840 panels pushing 168 KW of energy will be installed at their HQ in Connecticut. To give you an example of how hungry GE's complex is, this array will only supply 5-8% of their energy needs. Um, someone needs to invest in some additional efficiency upgrades….

Helping GE (and the industry as a whole) boost the power that can be created from each solar cell is a company called Spectrolab. This subsidiary of Boeing has announced a breakthrough that will allow a cell to reach about 45% efficiency — within the next five to six years. This is encouraging, but it's worth noting that there are already alternatives that exist (At least in the lab) at 40%. To achieve these high numbers (nearly twice that of present-day panels) the cells can capture three layers of the solar spectrum versus the single layer used today. Break out the sunglasses. The future's looking bright.

Finally, in Australia, road crews have started building noise-dampening walls along higways made of solar panels. The project is part of Australia's vision to incorporate more green aspects into road construction. The 210 panels will provide about 10% of the energy needed to illuminate street lights along the highway. Roads Minister, Tim Pallas commented on the design saying, "While this type of application is a first, it points to future projects having environmentally friendly elements in their original design, and as technology allows, will provide future transport infrastructure in an increasingly environmentally responsible manner."

Now if we can just get our cars to be as green as these roads, it will be a match made in heaven. Hit the jump for more.

This move is more than symbolic as it shows an actual transition from the R&D and into the initial stages of commercialization of the vehicles. When pressed for a timeline on hydrogen vehicles showing up in dealerships, Larry Burns, vice president of research and development, offered that they could be available within five or six years. From the article,

Burns said he's not yet willing to say exactly when hydrogen vehicles will be mass-produced, but he said it should happen before 2020, the year many experts have predicted.

"I sure would be disappointed if we weren't there" before 2020, he said Wednesday at his office in GM's sprawling technical center campus in the Detroit suburb of Warren.

Of course, the promises of a hydrogen economy have been whispered in ears for decades without much to show beyond some "proof of life" concepts at trade shows and celebrity parties. There are still massive questions regarding high-price, fueling infrastructures, range, and storage capacity. To GM's credit however — and based on interviews I've had with their executives — there appears to be a genuine push to lead this market and take the crown of innovation before anyone else. Starting this Fall, more than 100 consumers will have the opportunity to test-drive their own personal fuel-cell vehicle for several weeks in New York, Washington and Los Angeles. That's a huge step towards realizing the future of alternative energy vehicles — even if we're still faced with a chicken/egg type scenario. Let's hope GM's big picture allows the other pieces of the puzzle to fall easily into place.

Hit the jump for more.

My Xbox 360 is a little hungry when plugged in. According to tests, it consumes roughly 160 watts of power at any given time. This pales in comparison to the Sony Playstation 3 (which racks up 380 watts) but it's still a hog compared to previous consoles. Thankfully, beyond the occassional DVD and some epic battles of Gears of War the power hasn't been on that often. Still, it could be a greener experience.

That might all soon change. Sure Halo 3 is right around the corner, but even more intriguing is a new global warming-themed contest sponsored by Microsoft and Games For Change that seeks to encourage people to create a game based on climate change. The worldwide competition will inspire gamers to come up with a concept that not only entertains, but also inspires. From the release,

"The current generation of gamers is among the most socially conscious in history," said Suzanne Seggerman, co-founder and president of Games for Change. "We know from experience that young people are looking for ways to help make the world a better place, and who better to support this effort than an industry leader like Microsoft?"

Once the winner had been selected, the game will be available for download over Microsoft's very popular Xbox Live service. So, the question is: what type of game would you develop? Would you have Al Gore donning a cape (with open collar sport coat attire, of course) while fighting carbon polluters and gaining powerups by eating organic apples and pears? Would the final boss fight involve political leaders or a massive triple smoke-stack coal plant? Would you be given Oscars for completing a certain level in a timely fashion? The ideas are endless — and you can bet I'll be here to give a full review once the winner is selected.

For more details on the contest, click here.

Thanks to Hippyshopper for showing me the light…

Sure, this probably isn't very new. With the right materials to capture heat, almost anyone can create their own hot water. This is the first time, however, that I've seen a beer bottle solar collector used so effectively. If necessity in the mother of invention, then Ma Yanjun from China's Shaanxi province is proof that a little motherly love can push you in the right direction. Yanjun came up with the idea of stringing together a collection of green beer bottles to heat water after his Mother became less than comfortable with their previous setup. From the article,

Ma's invention features 66 beer bottles attached to a board. The bottles are connected to each other so that water flows through them. Sunlight heats the water as is passes slowly through the bottles before flowing into the bathroom as hot water, reports China Economy Network. Ma says it provides enough hot water for all three members of his family to have a shower every day.

Amusingly, more than 10 other families have become inspired by Ma's invention and built their own hot water solar collectors from bottles. Not only is the end result a beautiful case study in sustainability, but simply getting those bottles empty in the first place is reason to try this for yourself. Cheers!

Editor's note: Thanks to reader Bobby B. for the "heads up" on this story… 

Helping my optimism along is a recent article of a firm in California attempting to take single-purpose parking garages and turn them into functional structures that harness the power of the sun. Already having raised $600,000, Envision Solar plans to take advantage of wasted space above these structures and line them with solar panels. That energy could then be used to either power a nearby building, fed into the grid, or leveraged to charge electric cars. Tesla Motors, makers of the upcoming Tesla Roadster all-electric super car, are also petitioning for a similar setup. Go figure.

Achieving this in the U.S., however, is still a feat, especially with the prices of panels still high and education on the technology still relatively lacking. As the article points out, finding financing in a country like Spain or Germany wouldn't take much convincing. Renewable energy there is like jazz in the 1920s: hot, innovative, and the groove of the moment. The U.S. is stuck still listening to classical music.

If you made it through my analogy, you understand what I'm getting at: We're almost ready to pay attention and take advantage of this big ball above our heads. Almost. The first step is leveraging those structures that can easily push us in the right direction without much hassle for any party. The parking garage is that perfect foot in the door to get us there. The electric car will be the catalyst. The rest is up to us.

Hit the article for more information!

Instead of having the shakes to produce energy (like most other eco-friendly lights out there) this product uses a zip cord. Simply pull the cord for about a minute — and voila! — you've got enough light for nearly half an hour. Pull longer, and that time limit goes up and up — to almost 45 minutes. Thankfully, the flashlight also comes with a car charger so your savings in batteries don't go towards physical therapy for your arm. Powering directly will yield you almost 3.5 hours of use. Did I mention it has a swivel head?

The good times don't stop there. Not only can all that physical exertion give you enough light to reenact The Blair Witch Project, but the power stored can also charge up any number of devices. The Eco LED comes with several adapters for PDAs, cell phones, and a host of other electronics. The 5 LEDs will last roughly 50,000 hours, so expect this flashlight to help you out where others have let you down.

For piece of mind in your glove box, boat, camping gear, or home, I'm not sure you can go wrong with this gadget. For $29.95, "zip" on over and pick one up!

With Beijing getting all spic and span for the 2008 Olympic Games, a host of ideas are being considered for the Olympic Forest Park, a multimillion-dollar, 680-hectare green space planned for the northern portion of the city. Besides serving as the venue for Tennis, Archery, and Hockey, the area will also include a massive man-made mountain and a lake in the shape of a dragon. Since Beijing is not the type of city where deep breaths are naturally good for you, China is hoping this engineering feat will create a "green lung" for the growing metropolis.

Some of the ideas being considered include Grasscrete. As the name suggests, the concept embraces a harmonious relationship with grass and concrete to create footpaths through the area. The concrete is made from recycled materials while the grass allows for sustainable drainage and a natural filtration system. Also part of Olympic Forest Park will be porous concrete, which allows water to percolate through instead of running off. This allows the ground to stay moist and require less watering for surrounding areas.

All of these efforts will enable the forest to collect and recycle almost 95% of the rainwater that falls. Amphitheatres and sports facilities will be designed so as not to pollute or overwhelm the sounds of nature. In addition to the tens of thousands of trees and bushes to be planted, wind channels will also be created and rocks specially situated to acoustically maximize the forest ambience. China is hoping this Olympic feat — due to be completed by the end of this year — will be a model for other cities to embrace. Imagine if this was required for every host urban area to implement?

Check out CNET's tour of the latest green products on display at this year's China Beijing International High Tech Expo. We hope to update you with more on Beijing's massive new green addition as the finishing touches are put in place.

Over 2,000 square meters of living turf will be placed in the square transforming the icon into London's "Village Green". For two days, people are encouraged to take advantage of the living space with picnics and other recreational activities. The turf itself comes from a company outside of York called Lindum that specializes in sustainable grass growing practices. The turf is harvested as a vegetative mat of roots and leafy plant with very little soil attached. One of the main fertilisers is an organic material made from recycled waste from Yorkshire Water.

After its use on the square, the turf will be moved to Bishops Park in Hammersmith and Fulham, where it will be planted beneath "an avenue of majestic plane trees close to the River Thames and Fulham Palace."

Personally, I love this idea. The concept of taking urban areas generally devoid of natural beauty and adding something organic and grand is impressive. I think people in cities generally avoid nature; and in doing so, miss out on the connection that's needed for us to actually care about the big picture; to work in harmony with everything beyond our two bedroom pads. While these additions are temporary, one hopes that if such creations can inspire, then permanent solutions that offer a mix of urban and nature are not far ahead.

Did you get to Trafalgar this week? What did you think of its new look?

VisitLondon.com

Take for instance the example of Rizhao, a coastal city of nearly three million on the Shandong Peninsula in northern China. Almost every single building or flat surface is covered with solar panels! Most all are solar water heaters. In total, the city has over a half-million square meters of solar water heating panels, the equivalent of about 0.5 megawatts of electric water heaters!

This incredible achievement is made even more amazing when one considers the per capita income of Rizhao is lower than most other cities in the region. According to the article, the city was able to take advantage of renewable energy through strong political backing, investment in R&D, and the birth of local suppliers. Subsidies were provided by the government that side stepped end-users and instead went directly into research and development for solar hot water. All of these factors combined brought the cost of solar hot water down to the same level as an electric one; about $190.00.

Here's a great excerpt from the article that pretty much says it all,

"In Rizhao City, which means City of Sunshine in Chinese, 99 percent of households in the central districts use solar water heaters, and most traffic signals, street and park lights are powered by photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. In the suburbs and villages, more than 30 percent of households use solar water heaters, and over 6,000 households have solar cooking facilities. More than 60,000 greenhouses are heated by solar panels, reducing overhead costs for farmers in nearby areas."

Rizhao's commitment to renewable energy sources has also earned it accolades. It's consistently in the top ten cities for air quality and was recently designated as an Environmental Protection Model City by the State Environmental Protection Agency.

If a city in China can embrace renewable energy with great success, how about programs for geographically-similar cities in the U.S.? I would love to see Phoenix, San Diego, or Los Angeles pursue efforts like this. Rizhao isn't the only city with beautiful sunshine, but it sure seems like they're the only ones taking advantage of it.

Hit the jump for more!