Japan’s Eliica may look like science fiction, but with the engine power in its wheels — all eight of them — a top speed of 230 mph and a range of 200 miles on a single charge, this electric car has potential in the real world.
The secret to its efficiency and speed is in the 8 wheels. The inventor is talking to car manufacturers all over the world and the Eliica could roll out by 2013.

This futuristic eight-wheeled electric super car resembles an early ’70s Citroen sedan, recast for Blade Runner-era Los Angeles.

The Eliica, or the Electric Lithium-Ion Car, is a battery electric vehicle designed by a team at Keio University in Tokyo, led by Professor Hiroshi Shimizu.
Read more on car specifications HERE.

For some of us Solar Lights are still a novelty.  Despite some pessimistic solar lights reviews from a few users, solar lights are gaining more and more popularity as a free energy source and as an alternative for places where conventional energy sources are not easily accessible.

One of the most common concerns of frustrated users is the durability of “Chinese” quality lights.  Others are not so thrilled about the longevity of the provided rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable batteries in solar lights usually last 2 years.  Replacing them is not a big hassle, but does require a small investment for the future.  Can solar lights be recycled before all the glitches and complaints get fixed by the current manufacturers?  The answer is – yes!

Most solar lights on the market are manufactured like most goods in the US – in China.  The lack of quality control and minimal interest in alternative energy sources from large retailers leave small on-line stores to struggle by themselves designing and inventing what they can to deliver free power to users.

What are solar lights made out of?  And how can these solar light parts be recycled?  There are several different solar light types out there: solar wall-mounted lights, solar post lights, solar pathway lights, solar string lights, solar motion detecting lights, solar interior shed lights, solar camping lanterns and many more. The most popular lately are seasonal solar lights.

In a nutshell, all basic solar lights are comprised of:

1.) A small silicon solar collector (cells), sometimes built-in into the light itself or into a separate box which can be located independently via wire from the light itself under the sun.

2.) Rechargeable batteries, usually Ni-Cd AA batteries.

3.) An LED light bulb (roughly 2.5V-3V no load) – the most energy efficient light “bulb” available on the market at this point. LED lights for most lights sold in the US are usually made in the US because of the complexity of the production.

4.) A controller board.

5.) Photoresistor which detects the amount of light available and turns the solar light on when it gets dark.

6.) The cover of the light itself which can be made out of glass or plastic.  Most solar lights covers are made out of plastic because of fragility of the glass during the long shipments from China.

All the described above parts of solar lights can be recycled and reused for any other future production or for remaking the next generation of solar lights.  Some recycling facilities can accept computers, TVs and radio electronics.  Solar Lights Recycling Facilities came to life within the past year.  Some Solar Lights Recycling companies offer coupons for your next solar light purchase to refund you for mailing your old solar light to their facilities.  The process of recycling solar lights is similar to one that is currently in place to recycle other electronic devices.  If it is determined that it is not practical to rebuild a light, the unit will be harvested for reusable parts.  The solar light units are usually disassembled manually to minimize damage to usable components and to allow for a cleaner material on downstream processing.

The life span of an average solar light will largely depend on the quality of the light’s cover and its ability to withstand weather conditions in your area.  Look for corrosion and water resistant qualities in a product.  They can be purchased on-line so as to avoid retail store’s higher costs.  If something goes wrong, don’t throw it away!  Recycle your solar light! Send it in to one of the Solar Lights Recycling Facilities and get a rebate!  Let’s help both the growing solar light industry and the environment. And lastly – enjoy your free energy if you decide to make your next light a solar light!

$1.5 billion project opens in Dubai

After years of construction delays and a global economic downturn, the Burj Dubai skyscraper (now known as the Burj Khalifa) has officially opened its doors to the public. A monumental structure, the building stands at over 2,700 feet, far surpassing Poland’s Warsaw radio mast (no longer standing) as the tallest land structure ever built. Many aspects of the building are intriguing, aside from its towering presence over Dubai.

© Image By BurjDubaiSkyscraper.com Imre Solt-2010.

The architecture firm SOM approached the building with environmental impact at the top of the list. Energy efficiency and energy consumption are tackled with thermal insulation and high performance glazing, meaning windows where heat is not easily transferred from the harsh exterior environment to the interior spaces of the building. Another method of efficiency is achieved through high voltage supplies of energy to the building. This is in contrast to the common low voltage supply in contemporary design. High voltage allows for less energy lost when powering up the building.

Sustainable solutions are found throughout the building via “sky-sourced” ventilation, a condensate recovery system for the air-conditioning, and smart lighting (a sensor light system that turns on/off depending on whether a space is occupied/non-occupied.)

© Image By www.burjdubaiskyscraper.com

With all its advantages and well-planned environmental points, the building has yet to grasp the plentiful sunshine of the region using solar cell technology. Perhaps they will tie in to a solar farm, but that prospect is not yet known. Future projects for super skyscrapers in the region are on the books that will in fact utilize solar energy as their building’s energy source. All in all, Dubai has proven itself as a worthy player in the future of green building technology and design.

Are you looking for a way to fight back against rising energy prices? Are you concerned about the global climate change or protecting the environment? Then you might want to consider the benefits of green landscaping.

© Image By Michael Freeman/Red Cover/Getty Images.
Tiered garden in limited space.

Green landscaping is an alternative method of landscaping that allows you to remain focused on the aesthetic quality of your lawn or yard without using the hazardous chemicals and harmful techniques associated with some traditional landscaping practices. Green landscaping not only provides innovative methods of shaping your lawn, but has been proven to save energy and money spent on heating and cooling the inside of your home.

Read more HERE.

Christmas Lights 2009. San Diego, CA. Holiday cheers from Your Solar Link. Watch this Christmas Lights Show, you might just see your house! Happy 2010!

http://www.yoursolarlink.com. Popular Home and Garden Solar Lights and Products Selected by Industry Professionals. Helpful Customer Reviews, Videos and more. Free Shipping!