Solar has got to be one of the most inventive markets in existence. From new gadgetry to community issues to education, solar power’s role is ever expanding. This week we have several more examples of how solar power is changing the world we live in.

Solar Bees

Sydney, Australia is having an issue with algae forming in their drinking water supply. Solar-powered water pumps, aka Solar Bees, comprise their plan to keep the water circulating and free of algae without using any chemicals that would taint the water supply.

Solar Popcorn

Elementary students in Florida are getting educated by “solar popcorn.” Florida Power & Light is combining solar energy with a favorite snack to get kids’ attention. Now you have elementary students talking about fossil fuels!
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The sun provides a wide array of services, beyond keeping this planet warm and alive. While solar energy has always been here for us, we’ve just recently gone crazy about using our technology to harness that solar power. Suddenly solar energy is being adapted to run pretty much anything that runs on electricity; from our homes and businesses to our cell phones and laptops, we’ve written about plenty of solar products. Every couple of weeks there are more inventions and reinventions as the solar movement spreads its wings even further. Here are five for this week:

1. The Solar Gorilla, from EarthTech Products, takes charging to a higher level. It won’t fit in the palm of your hand but it will charge your laptop and it’s roughly the size of a good book.

2. Open Energy Solar Roof Tiles are another in the line of BIPV solar shingles products. Open Energy tiles, however, are lightweight (14 lbs.), wind resistant (up to 125 mph) and come with a 25-year warranty on performance.

3. Solar Powered Bags have developed a new sense of style. Canadian distributor, Evolve, is peddling the bags, which are made primarily from leather or hemp, are biodegradable and can charge your cell phone or iPod. Just don’t look at the price tag.

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There is a host of participants in the ongoing race to manufacture and produce inexpensive solar cells. To that list add solar start-up CaliSolar. The Sunnyvale-based company has raised $102 million to manufacture solar cells from metallurgical, or “dirty,” silicon. Hudson Clean Energy Partners, a private equity firm focused on renewable energy and alternative fuels, has led funding for the project.

Essentially, CaliSolar’s “crystallization” process upgrades metallurgical silicon so that it will perform at efficiency levels rivaling polysilicon – the most common semiconductor material. Metallurgical silicon is less efficient and cheaper than higher-grade polysilicon. But, if CaliSolar can upgrade “dirty” silicon to compete with polysilicon in efficiency, then they will have a cheaper solar cell. (more…)