The Parasolar concept by Oded Shorer serves two purposes - it keeps you cool by providing shade on those hot, sunny days while generating power from the very sunlight it is blocking.

It folds up into a case that can be used to carry it with ease. When in use, Parasolar plugs into the carrying case, which houses the battery and energy transformer, to keep it steady on the ground. The battery starts getting charged up as soon as the parasol is connected to the base. It can also be taken out and used as a regular umbrella if any rain decides to interrupt a sunny day.

Energy is generated from the photovoltaic laminated panels integrated in the synthetic cloth that serves as the “umbrella” portion of the device. Parasolar’s carrying case sports a 12 volt output as well as two USB ports for connecting your gadgets.

This looks like a perfect way to power gadgets and maybe even a laptop when camping or at a picnic. Change the strange green design of the umbrella and you’ve got us hooked. Check out a few more pictures after the jump. Read more »

Emanuel Sachs, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, has found a way to improve the efficiency of a type of silicon solar cells while keeping manufacturing costs about the same.

1366 Technologies, founded in part by Sachs, claims that it has improved the efficiency of its new multicrystalline silicon solar cells by 27 percent, putting them on par with today’s standard cells made from single-crystal silicon. Read more »

The University of Michigan has received a $10 million, five-year grant from the Army to develop a miniature spy bat complete with cameras, radar, recharging capability, a self-guidance system, and a radio to send surveillance data.

Scientists will try to shrink current electronics down to allow the bat to be six inches in length, weigh four ounces, and use only one watt of power. They will attempt to create a navigation system 1,000 times smaller and 1,000 times more energy efficient than today’s systems, and a communications system that’s one-tenth of today’s size. Read more »

Scientists at England’s Swansea University are working to develop a paint which can be quickly applied to large steels sheets to generate power from the sun beaming down on them.

This paint would be suited to warehouses and other buildings that are commonly covered with steel sheets.  It is based on dye-sensitised solar cells. Although less efficient than conventional solar cells, dye-based cells are cheaper as they don’t require solicon and can be applied as a liquid paste.

The solar cells are built up in several layers. First is a layer of regular paint directly on the steel. Then, the electrolyte and dye layers are applied, and the cell is finished off with a clear protective film to guard against the elements.

Researchers expect a commercial cell within two and a half years. Although these cells probably won’t make a huge impact, every little bit helps with the switch to renewable energy.

Massachussetts company Konarka Technologies has developed a way to to manufacture solar cells using inkjet printing.

The company says that they have made the process of fabricating solar panels much easier and, more importantly, cheaper because they don’t require a clean room.

Inkjet printing will also allow them to produce solar cells with multiple colors and patterns. This could help them stand out less on the roof of a house, for example.

This development could lead to cost savings passed down to the consumer as well as new uses for solar power. We wonder, though, if Konarka will pull an HP and charge an arm and a leg for the ink cartridges for their printers.

Sustainable design group SMIT (Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology) has a new project called GROW that is capable of harnessing both solar and wind power.

GROW uses leafy, fluttering solar shingles that draw power from both the wind and the sun. The leaves are made from 100% recyclable polyethylene and come in a variety of colors and opacities. The project got its inspiration from ivy growing on the side of a building.

The creator of the tiles, Teresita Cochraine, hopes to have GROW available via the Moma store or Design Within Reach instead of more commercial system. However, it would probably be priced accordingly - much more expensive than traditional solar systems.

We think that the idea is great. It combines aesthetics and green tech to create a truly unique supply of power. The only thing holding GROW back would be its price. We hope to see some of these hanging on a building sometime soon, though, as it would look very cool. Another picture after the jump. Read more »

Sharp, partnering with battery specialist Eliiy Power, will soon start selling the world’s first storage battery for household electricity systems.

These new batteries will allow houses with solar panels to store the power generated by the sun overnight (a full day and a half if necessary), allowing them to operate independently of a power grid.

The companies involved hope that reducing the reliance on traditionally-generated power will help reduce Japan’s greenhouse emissions. Hopefully these batteries will make it to the States so we can do the same.

The price is expected to be around ¥500,000 (about $4,650) when the battery is released next year.

This new battery is expensive, but would pay for itself over time seeing as solar power is free after all of the equipment is installed. Besides, you’ll get that warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that you’re polluting less.

Nokia has recently announced their Morph concept, a gadget which should (in about 100 years) replace everything you carry in your pocket today.

Featured in The Museum of Modern Art “Design and The Elastic Mind” exhibition, the Morph aims to be the only gadget you’ll ever need due to its adaptable nature. Made of flexible and transparent materials, Nokia imagines this gadget taking on just about any shape and size.

For example, it can start in the shape of a cell phone, but then unfold into a screen to view movies and other media on. This larger screen would incorporate input devices such as keyboards and touch pads as well to allow for communication. It could then be folded up into a bracelet that you wear on your wrist. As Nokia says, the Morph would “allow us to communicate and interact in unprecedented ways.”

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