Cleantechnica Archives - Page 2 of 3

Solar — $1.20/Watt In Europe (Unsubsidized), & Much More Solar $ Fun

Originally published on Solar Love. We’re in the midst of a massive cleantech revolution. Solar power is beginning to disrupt the hell out of the power industry. Electric vehicles are on the verge of putting gasmobiles to sleep. Wind power is already one of the cheapest options for new electricity generation in the world — if not the cheapest. The movement is exciting to watch. And, in a decade or so, we might need to change our name from CleanTechnica to Your Life. The solar revolution is certainly one of the more exciting things to watch. Below is some solar number fun that should get your blood pumping. Full disclosure: much of the legwork for this piece was done by one of our excellent readers — we’ll just call him CleanTechnica advisor #1. Low Solar Prices Around the World EU solar without subsidies as low as $1.20/watt: Deutsche Bank has reported that about ⅓ of small- to mid-sized solar installations in the EU are now going in without subsidies. Furthermore, “Multi-me…

New Coating Inspired By The Pitcher Plant Turns Glass Into ‘Super-Glass’

Originally published on: CleanTechnica An incredibly slippery, self-cleaning “super-glass” can be created from ordinary glass with the application of a simple, transparent coating that was recently invented by researchers from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The super-glass is so slippery that it even repels oil, and super-sticky materials such as honey — as well as resisting ice formation and the growth of bacterial biofilms. The researchers think that their new super-glass could be used to create “improved” solar panels, super-durable eyeglass lenses, self-cleaning windows, and new medical diagnostic devices. The new coating was inspired by the ultra-slippery surface of the carnivorous pitcher plant, which feeds on insects by funneling them with their extremely slippery leaves into a “pitcher” filled with digestive fluids. The insects which venture onto the plants can’t gr…

eSpyder Electric Airplane For Under $40,000 (VIDEO)

This article was first published on Gas2.

Ultralight aircraft manufacturer Greenwing International has just released pricing for its latest all-electric airplane, the eSpyder – and, for just $39,990, you can park one in your garage today. In kit form, anyway.

According to GreenWing’s stated figures, the 32 hp electric motor can propel the eSpyder to maximum air speed of 68 mph. Peak efficiency, though, is found in an “economy cruise” mode that holds the tiny plane at 38 mph, which translates to about 90 minutes of flying time in between 2-3 hour battery charges. Granted, it ain’t Chip Yates’ baller ride – but it’s not bad, I think, for $40K. Keep in mind, though, that while this plane has already been certified by German aviation authorities (a first for an electric airplane, by the way) it has not been certified in the US. As such, the eSpyder will be offered as a kit-built plane, initially. The company hopes to offer it as a complet…

$23 Million Energy Storage Research Center Launched In New York State

New York State is making an aggressive push to expand smart grid and renewable energy, and now a public-private project could combine the two through energy storage innovations. New York’s Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) and Dutch company DNV Kema have announced a $23 million joint investment to build the Battery and Energy Storage Technology (BEST) testing and commercialization center in Rochester, New York. Construction has already begun on the BEST center in an abandoned section of the former Eastman Kodak business park, and when complete, it will boast 17,000 square feet of world-class testing and commercialization facilities designed to accelerate commercial deployment of energy storage technologies. Public-Private Partnership Potential BEST will represent a unique opportunity for the energy storage industry. Testing facilities will be offered from single cells to megawatt-scale systems and services will include project developm…

900hp Ferrari Hybrid Sounds Like a Prius…Being Eaten by a LeMans-ster

This article originally published on Gas2

When the 900 hp “LaFerrari” Ferrari Hybrid first broke cover back in March, everyone who could read a spec. sheet knew that the car would be a monster. One thing automotive enthusiasts didn’t know, however, was what the LaFerrari would sound like – which is a pretty big deal for Ferrari’s fans and corporate culture! Would the new LaFerrari make the same kind of V12 that made the classic Daytona, 512 BB, and Testarossa into legends? Would the new Ferrari hybrid have the same high-pitched wail of the iconic Ferrari F40?

Would the new Ferrari Hybrid – horror of horrors! – sound like a Prius?

Wonder no more, Ferrari fans. Plug your headphones in, turn up the volume, and listen to the decidedly LeMans-ready wail of Ferrari’s latest: the 900+ hp LaFerrari!

Enjoy!