You can pre-order the charger now in one of three different colors: blue, pink and black, all with a metallic finish. The case is light enough to carry with you and includes a wrist or shoulder strap.

The Surge will come in two different versions, one for the iPod Touch 2G and another for iPhone models 3G and 3GS. Both chargers will retail for $69.95.

I tought I taw a putty-tat! I did, I did!

While that yellow Tweety was highly entertaining, today the yellow Tweeties gaining in popularity come in the form of companies, organizations, and enthusiasts bellowing everything they can about solar power on Twitter.

You can follow any or all of them and learn something new everyday about solar power, solar technology, solar events, solar programs, and more. Here are a few you might want to check out:

@5 Iron Solar Carts. Michigan-based company comprised of four entrepreneurs dedicated to “greening up” the golf industry with their solar-powered golf carts. Tweets include news and updates on what and how the company is doing along with links to other news in the world pertaining to solar power and motorized vehicles.

@13 Moon Solar Mama. From Toronto, Canada, this lady is promoting solar power, sustainable living and educating parents to spread the word to children about these topics and how they impact our daily lives. She tweets about solar events, solar power in the home (like her solar wastewater heater tank), solar jobs, and a bit of solar in the news.

@Alternative Power Blog. Tweets mainly to update blog posts on their site. Links relate to various different alternative power news and information like advances in solar technology, new solar-tech gadgets, renewable power plans and alternative power initiatives in government.

@CSP Solar. Stands for Concentrating Solar Power. This is a conference which just held its first event early in June. Updates on the board reflect news and updates about concentrated solar power, information on thermal energy storage, solar systems, conference events and more.

@DMSolar. Company that designs, builds and deploys PV-based electricity systems throughout the world. Tweets about solar panels, large solar projects around the world and planetary news dealing with solar power.

@Homemade Solar Power. Twitters here are mainly about incorporating solar power into the average person’s home and life. Updates include links to articles on solar power for the home, vehicles and personal items as well as information on grants for solar in the home, finding solar professionals, converting power systems in the home, etc.

@Ken Oatman/Good Day Solar. Self-proclaimed “Microinverter enthusiast—on the prowl for disruptive solar technologies” this Colorado-based solar fanatic Twitters on solar news, financing for solar innovations and installations and micro-inverter technology.

@LA Solar Energy. Company dedicated to increasing usage of solar power and other sustainable living choices. Twitters about green and solar happenings in and around the Los Angeles areas as well as solar news around the world.

@Open Solar. Committed to connecting people who want to learn more about solar power with those in the know. Twitters about solar news, companies and organizations that have good information available and warnings about solar scams and people/products to avoid.

@Roy Gayhart . Looking to bring high quality, low cost solar power to everyone, this California-based solar enthusiast Tweets about solar costs and news pertaining to solar energy and it’s increasing affordability.

@Solar Communities. Fairly new to Twitter, this enthusiastic company is interested in spreading the word about renewable solar energy solutions. Updates on their board include mainly links to news items about solar topics – but look for more soon as they gain experience.

@Solar Enthusiast. Each Tweet here will link you to global news about solar topics like solar gadgets, costs of solar energy and technology, government initiatives regarding solar power, etc.

@Solar_Guru. Founder of Real Goods Solar. Sharing info on PV solar power for homes and business. Tweets about great sources of solar information: books, web sites, free services, etc.

@Solar Living Institute. Promoting sustainable living practices through education. Tweetdeck for this organization include information on California solar events, links to solar newsletters, and news about solar power and other sustainable topics.

@Solar Power. Every post on their Twitter board contains a link to a news article about solar power. You’ll find topics like solar power rebate programs, government funding of solar research and development, installing solar roof panels, and advancements in solar technology.

@Solar San Antonio. These people are a non-profit 501c3 advocacy and resource center for renewable and sustainable energy. Tweets include news about their organization and what they’re up to, green/solar job availabilities, area events pertaining to solar, solar news and government bills with stipulations about solar power.
@Remodeling. Includes daily updates on CalFinder Solar’s news and tidbits on solar products, politics, incentives, and advice on going solar.

@Solar Travel Africa. A group of people will be traveling in a solar-powered vehicle this fall from London to Capetown in an effort to raise awareness and money for SolarAid, a charity that fights global poverty and climate change with solar power. Tweets mainly about solar power and its integration into our lives – I expect Tweets will chronicle the trip, too, in September.

@The Solar Company. Bay Area company encouraging people to go green with solar. Tweets from this source include many tips and advice on integrating solar power into your own home; topics like net metering, panel installation, good financial deals on solar power for the home, tax credits and rebates, etc.

@Wholesale Solar, Inc. . California-based company that Tweets (mostly with links) about solar technology and new advancements.

InventorSpot just posted a blog on 5 solar-powered gadgets incorporated into clothing. I must admit that the solar powered sunglasses and necktie can be very useful and aren’t totally unattractive. Solar cells are integrated into the glasses lenses and can collect enough sunlight to charge handheld electronic devices like portable music players and solar panels in the tie can charge a cell phone. The great part about the solar powered tie is that it can transfer the sun’s energy to your phone while offering a pocket on the back of the tie for storing the phone at the same time – that’s pretty cool.

Not so cool, but wild and creative are the solar powered necklace, dress, and underwear. The necklace, while elegant looking, consists of a set of solar panels that make a wide collar around the wearer’s neck, there to charge the string of lights that top the necklace — what am I, a Christmas tree? Original, but no thanks. And don’t get me started on the dress – first of all – I’m a modest girl so in the words of my wise-father, “Where’s the rest of the dress?” It doesn’t look very comfortable, being 436 white circuit boards strung together with metal rings – I’d be afraid to sit in it (for several reasons). The circuit boards gather energy during the day to illuminate the dress at night – line up a bunch of beauties and you could have your own landing strip!

As for the underwear…..hmmm. The nicest thing I can say is that it’s made of high quality organic cotton. It goes downhill from there, however. The bra has a solar panel across the midsection, which can charge your iPod or power the scrolling LED display that is actually on the bra (what kind of a message is that sending to our kids? Literally.) and it has two water pouches, one on each breast – which might be the only “cool” feature there. I think I found my next bridal shower gag gift!

One of those disheartening stories included the closing of established businesses like Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago. The company was forced to close its doors in December of last year but with much animosity from employees – and rightly so – who were angered by the loss of their jobs due to the failure of the company, which was the direct result of Bank of America pulling their funding. And this, after Bank of America received substantial funds from a taxpayer bailout.

I promised good news, though, and here it is. The company is reopening as Serious Materials Chicago. Vice President Joe Biden, along with a few Senators, Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley, and company CEO Kevin Surace took a tour of the factory. The tour was a stop on Biden’s national campaign to encourage Americans about the success of the Recovery Act.

President Obama’s stimulus package included $8 billion for weatherization and energy efficiency programs. These funds, available through state and local programs, are beginning to have a stimulating effect. For the most part homeowners are beginning to take a serious look at improving the energy efficiency of their homes thanks, in part, to federally offered tax credits. Since the housing market is still moving at a snail’s pace, people are jumping on board to fix up and improve the home they’re already in and one of the best things they can do right now is to increase its efficiency.

This trend is putting energy efficient materials, like windows, in higher demand, which, in turn, means that companies that manufacture, sell, and install such materials can begin to maintain themselves or even expand and grow.

It may be a small step, but it’s something. And right now any something good can be divine.

Alameda County, California seems to be using the sun’s rays to their fullest. The county, which has installed solar power systems equaling just over 18 megawatts of energy, was awarded the City Solar Award from the Northern California Solar Energy Association.

Alameda County is currently using more solar power in its businesses, residences, and government offices, and institutions than any other county in the Bay Area. In fact with solar usage in local offices and institutions, it estimates saving taxpayers an average of $6 million per year in energy costs.

The county itself has installed two very large solar projects on its properties: an 880 kw system at the Juvenile Justice Center and a 1.14 megawatt system on the roof of the Santa Rita Jail.

Photo credit: Alameda County

The extensive jail solar panel system was installed in two phases, the final 500 kw in 2002 – making it the largest rooftop solar electric system in the United States (at that time) and the fourth largest in the world. The panels that comprise this system cover about three acres of rooftop on the jail. County officials estimated that by installing this vast system they will save taxpayers in Alameda County approximately $15 million over the panels’ lifespan of 25 years.

In addition to these, Alameda County has installed solar electric systems, via PowerLight, in other county-run buildings like the Oakland Courthouse and emergency services and environmental health services facilities.

The City of Berkeley in Alameda County became the first American city to offer residents the opportunity to install solar energy systems in their home for no initial cost.

Alameda County area contractors:

Blue Ridge Construction
J Reilly Construction
Alex R. Mathews General Contractor, Inc.
Oakland Kitchen Remodeling Contractors
Alameda Roofing and Gutters Contractors

I’m not sure why it makes me feel better when universities get big lumps of government dollars than when companies do, but it does. There’s just something way more justifiable about money getting pumped into our institutes of learning – it brings hope and encouragement to heart, instead of the overwhelming sense of corruption and misuse that the bailouts of late have connoted to me.

The University of Michigan recently landed a five-year $19.5 million grant from the Department of Energy for advancing the research and development of innovations in solar technology. Likewise, Michigan State University is currently involved in a $12.5 million project that is focused on solar power.

Photo credit: Michigan State

The two institutes are collaborating and working on finding new advances in solar technology that could make creating and supplying solar power simpler and less expensive.

These efforts have helped to bring solar power to the forefront of alternative energy in the state of Michigan – it is now the most heavily funded alternative energy initiative in that state.

While the U of M is focusing their research on developing new ideas that will increase the efficiency of the materials used in solar panels, MSU’s project is “designed to improve thermoelectricity efficiency technology.”

While the research is ongoing at the two Michigan universities, their discoveries and innovations could have a profound benefit to state-based solar panel companies like Evergreen Solar and United Solar Ovonic.

The projects at U of M and MSU are just two of 46 projects specified by The White House as Energy Frontier Research Centers. It is expected that over the next five years the DOE will spend approximately $777 million dollars on those 46 projects in the hopes of bringing great strides and breakthroughs in solar technology.

For those of you who are childless or otherwise out of the loop, the Nintendo DS is one of the most popular handheld video gaming systems for kids today – in fact I even know a few parents who have bought one for themselves just to keep up with the fun.

Photo Credit: azsustainability.com

The devices are rectangular in shape and consist of two components that hinge together, so that when you open it up you have a rectangular screen on top and one on the bottom: picture a miniature laptop with a second screen where your keyboard would be.

Some genius has discovered that the DS screens are the perfect size and shape for two small solar cell panels and has configured a way that the above-average consumer can buy four of these cells and rig them up to the DS’s rechargeable battery (a battery that typically has to be recharged with an electric wall or car charger).

I’m not going to get into all the particulars here (it’s a fairly lengthy list of instructions), but the gist of it is that you take the four cells and solder wires between them and the DS battery and install the cells to the outer cover of the DS on the top and bottom components. Whenever the battery needs charging, you just open the DS and lay it flat on a surface (screens down, solar cells up) that is in the sunshine — like your window — and allow the cells to charge the battery.

There is just one drawback to the solar power DS plan: the solar cells don’t have enough power to enable you to use the DS while charging with solar panels, but it will charge the battery slowly while the game is out of use. The official Nintendo website is keeping suspiciously mum about solar power for their devices, so I’m sure you’ll void all warranties by doing this, but it sounds great to me!

Ocean Floating Panels — Full of Saltwater?

SunEnergy has come up with a new type of solar panel: the waterproof, ocean floating solar panel. Now, I get it, I really do: something like 75 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, which makes it a prime candidate for capturing the sun’s rays. And since so much of our land is covered with roads and structures or is blessedly bare and we want to keep it that way (thank you very much), then what could be better than a solar panel drifting out at sea? However, (and this is a big but), they didn’t say how they plan to protect these nifty little devices. They float during sunny weather when there are rays to consume and store and they submerge themselves during cloudy or stormy days. BUT…what is keeping them from being attacked by sea animals, run over by ocean crafts, or caught up and dragged under by sea plants? I imagine the company will have to come up with a designated part of the ocean where it can moor the floating panels together in a sort-of panel farm, but isn’t this just another way to negatively impact an eco-system?

Solar Phones Made from Recycled Water Bottles

Photo Credit: Shazari

Ok, enough of that, moving right along we are all soon to have the newest in cell phone technology – the solar phone! KDDI, Corp of Japan has invented a phone with its own solar power. Unfortunately it takes 10 minutes of soaking up the rays to power a one-minute phone call, but it’s new and I’m sure it will be improved upon soon. The sun can power the phone’s battery up to an 80 percent charge, reducing the amount of electricity you’ll need to charge your phone. Even better, the phones are made from the plastics extracted from recycled water bottles.

Plug In and Drive in Chicago

Lastly, Chicago is installing solar groves in an effort to encourage the use of electric vehicles and as the answer to EV drivers who need a little pick-me-up while out and about the town.

Photo Credit: frankh

These Solar Plug-in Stations weren’t just installed out of the goodness of their hearts, though, the city is showing them off as part of their bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. Nevertheless, it was a positive move and they are very proud of the solar groves, which, they noted, will be in much more demand soon. Chicago seems very hopeful, if not confident that we’ll all be tooling around in EVs very soon. While you would be hard-pressed to convince me that that’s true, I find it reassuring to know that others have such great faith.

Although the country’s energy plan is yet to be drafted, the intention to make such a plan has already boosted renewable energy company stocks to excitable levels. A majority of the plan will most likely be designed to specify government subsidies aimed at energy manufacturers who are helping China meet the goal of running on 10 percent renewable energy sources by 2010.

Photo Credit: mjmonty

China has already been acknowledged as encouraging wind power within its borders, but the new plan is aimed at including pv and other solar industries to widen their renewable energy net.

Not only will the Chinese government be financially encouraging energy companies, they are also setting forth provisions to promote the distribution and purchase of Chinese-made electronic goods. Whereas before most of their manufacturing efforts were made specifically to be exported to the U.S. and other nations, China has experienced a drop in export demands and has decided that its own economy would benefit from having more Chinese goods remain in China homes.

Naturally, the items they ship here to the U.S. that they will now be keeping for themselves are mainly energy-users: televisions, radios, computers, etc. The plan to manufacture domestically retailed goods will be a major boost to the Chinese economy (their export business did nothing for them, save increasing the American tab, which isn’t likely to get paid off anytime soon), which, in turn will help the nation raise funds for putting their renewable energy stimulus plan into action.

As the world’s second largest energy-consuming nation, China’s new plan is one that would alleviate energy woes felt all around the planet.

The plant is one of China’s own design and has been designated the name Dahan, has cost about $14 million and will consume the amount of land equivalent to approximately 10 professionally-sized soccer fields.

Photo Credit: omgtec.com

The plant should be completed and running in 2010 with plans to expand it into a five to ten megawatt plant over the following five years. Dahan will not use solar panels to collect the sunshine it needs to make energy for local consumers; the solar-thermal design will use 100 curved heliostat mirrors to track the sun’s trajectory across the sky each day and direct it to the proper receiver. The receiver will then transform the energy into “superheated” steam, which has the ability to run electricity-generating turbines.

Although the first plant isn’t exactly up and running yet, the Chinese already have plans for a second, much larger solar-thermal plant. A German-run company, Solar Millenium, will be helping China design and construct a 1,000 MW plant in inner Mongolia. The date for this huge undertaking has not yet been set.

So…those are the basic facts, but what amazes me is that China is very green when it comes to solar technology (and I mean “new,” not eco-friendly – although, they’re getting there, too) and yet they are taking such bold strides. They currently have plans to have 10 percent of their total energy usage come from renewable energy sources by next year. Imagine what the addition of a 1,000 MW plant will do to that figure. That’s what I like about the Chinese government – clear, concise, time-effective decisions.