It may be difficult to imagine for us, but according to the U.S. Department of Energy nearly two billion people live without electricity. How do they deal with it? They burn fossil fuels such as kerosene for light.
Denver inventor Stephen Katsaros is hoping to give light to people without electricity. His solution to the problem is his new invention – a solar-powered light bulb.

Image from http://www.nokero.com/. Solar-powered light bulb.

Solar-powered lights are nothing new, but the inventor hopes this one could improve the lives of people in developing countries, who have no electricity but plenty of sunshine. The bulb has a battery that gets charged by the sun. A one-day charge will power it for about two hours at night. “It’s replacing kerosene lanterns that are very polluting and dangerous around the world,” says Steve Katsaros, founder of Nokero. The name Nokero is short for “no kerosene.” They are usually used in sets of 2 or more. One light is used for 2 hours until the rechargeable battery is used up. Then, the next light is turned on until that one is used up. And so on.

Image from http://www.nokero.com/. Solar-powered light bulb.

Nokero bulbs were invented just 8 months ago in the shop of Katsaros’ Park Hill neighborhood garage. The first solar-powered bulb looked like a regular light bulb – the same shape and size as the ones in your home, so you could actually screw it into a standard fitting.

Four band-aid size solar panels decorate the outside of the bulb. Each panel helps charge one battery which powers 5 small LED lights.

The battery should last at least 2 years, according to the manufacturer.

What distinguishes Nokero, claims Katsaros, is that the battery is not just rechargeable but replaceable. Plus, the entire unit is affordable.

His wholesale solar powered bulbs cost $6.
Nokero’s target market is developing countries like India and Pakistan, plus western Africa. Katsaros says he’s already shipped thousands of samples to 50 different countries.

Some customers have already ordered as many as 1,000 bulbs.

Read and see more at: http://www.nokero.com/

Is the future of oral hygiene solar? Are we ever going to stop depending on toothpaste? Will we be using solar power instead of toothpaste one day? In Japan, the Shiken company is trying to give answers to these questions by field testing an unusual solar-powered toothbrush that doesn’t require toothpaste.

Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush.

The Soladey-J3X is a solar-powered toothbrush designed by Dr. Kunio Komiyama (dentistry professor at the University of Saskatchewan) and Dr. Gerry Uswak. The first model was designed 15 years ago (it was described in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology) and more work has been done since then in order to perfect it.

Now, Komiyama is back with a new model, the Soladey-J3X, which he says packs twice the chemical punch compared to the original.
It is a solar-powered toothbrush with a solar panel at its base that transmits electrons to the top of the toothbrush through a lead wire.

Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush.

These electrons react with acid in the mouth, creating a chemical reaction that breaks down plaque and kills hazardous bacteria. This means no toothpaste is required – helping you save more money in the long run (as well as water, since there is less rinsing to be required).

Image from www.kk-shiken.co.jp. Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush. Plaque removal mechanism.

Soladey-J3X a solar-powered toothbrush.

Researchers have already tested the toothbrush in cultures of nefarious bacteria that cause periodontal disease. The solar-powered brush caused complete destruction of bacterial cells.

How much power does the Soladey-J3X need to be effective? To get fully charged this toothbrush needs only as much sunlight as a solar-powered calculator.

The Soladey-J3X won the first place prize out of 170 entries at the annual FDI World Dental Conference in Dubai last month. This gives Komiyama confidence that there is scientific merit to the brush.

Learn more about this solar-powered toothbrush at the Shiken company’s website.

$740 million development started outside Dezhou, China. It has been called “The Biggest Solar Energy Production Base in the Whole World,” or Solar Valley.

Image from Himin Solar Energy. Dezhou Solar Valley in China.

The base will be a clean energy technology hub that China hopes will rival Silicon Valley in California. “This is an experiment. It is a big laboratory,” said Huang Ming – an oil industry engineer turned solar energy tycoon.

Image from Himin Solar Energy. Dezhou Solar Valley in China

The $740 million plan has attracted about 100 companies and factories, a research center and wide boulevards illuminated by solar-powered lights.

China’s Solar Valley in Dezhou (Promotional Video)

The main developer for the park’s plan is a company called Himin Solar Energy. It was started by Huang Ming who is often called the ‘Sun King’ of China. Although he says: “I prefer to be called solar madman.” The building that serves as headquarters for Himin Solar Energy is located at the Sun-Moon Mansion and is currently the largest solar powered office building in the world.

Image from Himin Solar Energy.
Sun-Moon Mansion – Himin Solar Energy’s headquarters. Night view.

Image from Himin Solar Energy.
Sun-Moon Mansion – Himin Solar Energy’s headquarters. Day view.

Image from Himin Solar Energy.
Sun-Moon Mansion – Himin Solar Energy’s headquarters. Day view.

An intriguing mix of raw capitalism and socialist planning is giving companies such as Huang’s Himin Solar Energy Group a shot at making a difference.
The city of Dezhou already requires that all new buildings be equipped with solar water heaters (the type made by Huang’s company). Last year they spent $10 million to install solar lighting along several miles of road.
Huang’s company is the world’s biggest producer of solar water heaters. It recently opened a low-carbon five-star hotel and is building Utopia Garden, a gigantic, eco-friendly luxury apartment complex – both with solar-heated pools.
“Renewable energy doesn’t mean people have to be uncomfortable,” Huang states.

Last year, China invested about $34 billion in solar panels, wind turbines and other alternative energy technologies, nearly twice as much as the United States, where green technologies spending unfortunately fell sharply.
Huang notes that, so far, solar energy is “a drop in the ocean” on the road to the major Environmental and Economical changes but he said that Dezhou offers a model for the future. “I like big plans,” he says.

Image from Himin Solar Energy. Huang Ming presents Dezhou Solar Valley.