Solar Taxi-arriving in DC today!

Hi Everyone,

In 1986 Louis Palmer was 14 and was already trying to figure out how to build a car that did not emit any CO2. He waited almost 20 years, and when there still wasn't a car being manufactured that didn't cause harm to the environment, he decided to go ahead and build one himself. He started building prototypes in 2005 and after a couple years of testing, he is confident that the car he built can make it around the world.

This is a picture of his first drawing, when he was only 14.

On July 3rd 2007 , Louis left Lucerne, Switzerland to drive around the world in a solar powered car.

"Mission Statement

“On 3 July 2007 I set off on my first journey around the world with a solar powered vehicle. Admittedly, as a regular citizen I cannot change the world but I can demonstrate to the world just how dire the global climate situation has become and how many sophisticated solutions to lower the greenhouse gases already exist, which bring with them many other advantages. So that we can have a better world and a more secure future. The solar taxi should rekindle hope and a zest for life, set an example to counteract resignation and stimulate reflection. And show that every single one of us can take a step towards preserving our planet.”

Global warming can be stopped. Solutions are available."

Here is their route:

and this is where they will be for September and the rest of their journey:

They are looking for help along the way. Here is what they need:

You can watch their video blog from their travels and track how they are doing.
Here is the link to their website: SolarTaxi.com for more info.
What an amazing challenge--so cool.

Change is happening and possible!

Happy Travels!
n

Soft House

When it's hot outside people often pull the curtains in front of the windows to shed their living spaces from the rising temperatures. Obvious. But the energy that would have entered your home now goes to waste. A pity.

Someone at KVA, a Boston located architecture bureau, must have noticed this. Before coming up with the Soft House. An intelligent product which could be classified as a multi-purpose-curtain. It's basically a curtain with some incredibly smart nanotechnology in it.

The curtain manages to convert the light energy that falls on it directly into electric energy. Just like a solar panel. If it catches sunlight all day the curtain can generate up to 16 kWh, and that's half of the average daily US household usage.
But it gets better. When you need some light the Soft House can be hung to the roof. Then it transforms into a "suspended soft luminous chandelier".

While I'm amazed with this innovation the possibilities pop up in my head. Umbrellas, clothing and (maybe a tad silly) sunglasses. Anyway, KVA is looking for a few development partners, so there is hope that this product might make it from prototype to the market.

-jdh