ReGeneration Roundup: 2008-08-28
We are living in an exciting time for alternative energy innovation, and this is especially true in the solar energy field. A couple of months ago, Japan’s business news source, Nikkei, reported that Toyota is planning to add solar panels to the roofs of its next generation Prius hybrids. Very few details are available and the only images I’ve seen are from an artist’s conception (included here) of what this innovation will look like, but the report does say that the panels will power the air conditioner in the popular hybrid. In related news, the San Antonio-based solar energy company Sunrise Solar has announced that it will soon start producing the Solar Sunroof, a replacement for car sunroofs that includes solar PV cells. Details on the company’s Web site are vague, but I imagine we’ll be hearing some more about this soon, as the media and environmental blogs have been clamoring for more information. Stay tuned for updates.
While we’re on the subject of solar, check this out: The Zeyphr, a solar aircraft developed by the UK defense technology firm QinetiQ, has completed a three-and-a-half day continuous test flight above the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, breaking an unofficial endurance record for flight by an unmanned aircraft. According to the technical director, Chris Kelleher, the solar plane could potentially perform similar flights for months at a time! Here’s the BBC report on this incredible achievement.
The Huffington Post’s Isabel Cowles published a report Thursday on the recycling efforts companies like Dell, Nike and Patagonia have implemented to help customers protect the environment. I’ve written a little bit on the good things Nike is doing and I’ve heard quite a bit about the great efforts of Patagonia (the company’s Web site does a fantastic job of demonstrating its progress and overall commitment). I am, of course, very familiar with Dell’s industry-leading consumer recycling program, which will pick up your old computer and recycle it at no cost to you. Isabel gives kudos where kudos are due and makes a few suggestions for next steps companies can employ to improve their recycling programs. If you have suggestions for Dell’s recycling program (or any program for that matter), you can post them to the IdeaStorm site.
