Is now the time use solar power for my house? [more inside]
posted on Sep 30, 2008 - 7 answers

In just a couple weeks I will fly to a remote area of Peru from Europe via the US. I'll be bringing some research equipment which including a mobile solar unit. That solar unit is powered by a lead acid battery like this one. [more inside]
posted on Sep 12, 2008 - 2 answers

Can I install/configure solar panels on my roof so that the energy produced goes directly to the electric company as a credit to my account? I'd like to install some panels, but I don't want to invest enough money to power my house exclusively with solor, and I don't want to store the power using the current batteries that are available. Thank you.
posted on Aug 6, 2008 - 10 answers

I would like to know about the future of solar energy. [more inside]
posted on Jul 28, 2008 - 16 answers

Do you have this backpack? Have you taken it through the TSA? [more inside]
posted on Jun 26, 2008 - 5 answers

Solar hot water and central heating for dummies? I'm in the UK, our (gas, combi) boiler has been rubbish since we moved in, and given that we're now looking at a new boiler we're thinking of complementing it with some sort of solar panel based solution. What should we look out for? What do we need? Can we reuse our existing radiators? What questions should we ask installation companies? [more inside]
posted on Jun 23, 2008 - 7 answers

Looking for installer recommendations of grid-connected solar photovoltaic panels in the Southern California Edison area. [more inside]
posted on Feb 25, 2008 - 0 answers

Working on DIY solar charger from modified garden power lamps. Of course the panels look different than the ones in the pictures! [more inside]
posted on Feb 17, 2008 - 6 answers

I would like to power my laptop with the sun. [more inside]
posted on Feb 10, 2008 - 19 answers

What domestic devices can be operated effectively on solar power these days? Know any interesting alternative uses? Wide open question.
posted on Dec 28, 2007 - 11 answers

I wish to travel the world, learning about renewable energy. Discuss. [more inside]
posted on Dec 11, 2007 - 13 answers

Anyone know a simple and cheap solar panel setup to run a small boombox about 9-12V DC? [more inside]
posted on Dec 4, 2007 - 3 answers

I'm going on a 10+ day bike ride and want to be able to use my fantastic Nokia 6110 (with built in GPS) and my ipod Nano as long as possible. I bought a cheap solar panel charger on ebay and have found that it's useless. What are the best solutions? So far under consideration are better solar, a spare battery for the phone and emergency chargers that can be recharged when I can get to mains power. The 'name brand' solar chargers around, the solio and the freeloader also have negative reviews. The Freeplay 12V looks cool, but has also got some pretty poor reviews (but at least it looks like it works). What would you recommend?
posted on Nov 28, 2007 - 22 answers

Help point me towards the best laptop for taking into the backcountry... [more inside]
posted on Nov 13, 2007 - 2 answers

The oil we use today was made from a biomass from a certain era. When was it, and how long was that era? [more inside]
posted on Oct 27, 2007 - 7 answers

I would like to get a solar powered bird fountain for my backyard. I want to make sure that the fountain isn't constructed of a material that is going to be toxic to my cat if she drinks out of the fountain. She's an outdoor cat and loves to drink and play in running water. I suspect that she'll be drawn to the running water in the fountain and try to drink out of it. Does anyone know which solar powered bird fountains are made with materials that are safe for cats? [more inside]
posted on Aug 19, 2007 - 5 answers

I need to find software that will let me tweak the speed, hue, saturation, brightness, etc. of videos live -- and any other effects but those are the basics. Mac or PC. [more inside]
posted on Aug 16, 2007 - 8 answers

Where can I find the most affordable solar panels to power my dorm room? [more inside]
posted on Jun 23, 2007 - 24 answers

Solar photovoltaic fabric. I'm trying to find or recall about a particular type of technology that I half-remember, as well as find out more about the current state of the art for flexible and/or fabric and/or imprinted solar panels. [more inside]
posted on Jun 6, 2007 - 4 answers

I'm thinking to have it installed on all my windows? The salesman showed me the "solar screen". It looks just like the regular mesh screen, probably a bit thicker. Has anyone have the solar screen in your house? Does it make big difference in your house's temperature? Does your electric bill show a nice decrease? Thanks so much.
posted on May 10, 2007 - 4 answers

Solar-powered and/or hydroponic apartment gardening: have you done it or something like it? Do you like or dislike any commercial solar kits or hydroponics kits, or suppliers of seeds & equipment for container gardening? [more inside]
posted on Jan 17, 2007 - 11 answers

Where can I buy a portable solar light that would be bright enough to light a room for a few hours? [more inside]
posted on Nov 30, 2006 - 7 answers

Any ideas on the effects of a prolonged solar eclipse, say 10-30 years? [more inside]
posted on Oct 7, 2006 - 43 answers

Does anyone have any information about, or experience with, SEI's online PV courses? [more inside]
posted on Sep 17, 2006 - 1 answers

Are there any easy and inexpensive solar kits for your home? Someone preferably DIY installable. (in the 500-1k range?) [more inside]
posted on Aug 28, 2006 - 4 answers

if heat and light can be turned into usable energy, why don't we launch some collectors to orbit the sun and gather truck loads of the stuff that is otherwise dumped into space, then beam it home via microwave? [more inside]
posted on Aug 20, 2006 - 25 answers

If I wanted to learn all about the energy industy, what would be some good books and resources? [more inside]
posted on May 4, 2006 - 8 answers

What effect would a massive growth in renewable energy sources have on the environment? [more inside]
posted on May 2, 2006 - 7 answers

I'm looking for an app that will calculate how much sun different parts of my yard get over the year. [more inside]
posted on Apr 10, 2006 - 7 answers

Solar powering a linksys router? [more inside]
posted on Mar 12, 2006 - 22 answers

After seeing the recent movie Serenity, and having my intelligence insulted by how poorly thought out the universe is (it's all supposed to be taking place in one solar system, with hundreds of habitable worlds), I was wondering what the theoretical upper limit of possible habitable worlds in a single solar system is. Assume the normal Earth-like worlds, and moons of Jovians. [Slightly More Inside] [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2005 - 70 answers

Why hasn't solar energy been able to replace fossil fuels in Europe where gas is taxed so heavily? [more inside]
posted on Aug 31, 2005 - 33 answers

Alternative-energy junkies : help! Solar / kiln question... [more inside]
posted on Apr 29, 2005 - 13 answers

My 50 gallon (electric) water heater is on the verge of complete breakdown & it's time for a new one. You'd think living in Arizona I'd know somebody with a solar water heater, but no. Are they efficient? How much more initial expense than a conventional unit? Thanks!
posted on Apr 11, 2005 - 7 answers

Why aren't animals solar-powered? [more inside]
posted on Mar 12, 2004 - 31 answers