CleanTechnica

Grants From USDA Cover Up To 25% Of Renewable Energy Project Costs (Deadline Extended)

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Dan Thiede, CERTs

The US Department of Agriculture announced their Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant application recently. These grants can pay for up to 25% of the eligible costs of a renewable energy project. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of funding and implement your renewable energy and/or energy efficiency projects. The deadline is now May 31, 2013. What’s available? USDA Rural Development has recently been made aware of access to additional funding for … Read More

The Rise Of Electric Car Charging – Infographic

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Guest Contributor

In the wake of the merger between Recargo and Xatori (press release below) which will “revolutionize vehicle software and information services for plug-mobility” comes this infographic compiled by PluginCars.com, PlugShare, and Recargo. … Read More

Solar Mandate Approved By Sebastopol, California

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Nicholas Brown

new SEIA report outlines military solar power

There are many ways to go solar, and they all haven’t yet been tried — people are continually coming up with new ideas. But there are now some options that are so good that cities are beginning to mandate solar power with all new homes. The latest such city (of which we know) is Sebastopol, California. But Sebastopol has taken it a step further. As did the Californian city of Lancaster, Sebastopol, city in Western … Read More

Electricity-Producing Bacteria From Massachusetts

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Ah, the wonders of science. Though, I can’t yet say if I’m all that thrilled about bacteria being engineered to produce electricity. Would hate to see what would happen if it all got out of hand. Maybe we should just stick to the trustworthy and cheap renewables we have today. Here are more details on the news from the American Society for Microbiology. Researchers have engineered a strain of electricity-producing bacteria that can grow using … Read More

Solar Impulse In Midst Of Setting Another Solar Airplane Record

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Amber Archangel

solar impulse AcrossAmerica GoldenGateFlight Revillard-72 (1)_thumbPSflat

Solar Impulse, piloted by André Borschberg, took off today, Wednesday May 22nd, at 4:45AM MST (UTC-7) from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to fly to Texas. Landing is scheduled sometime after 01:00AM CDT (UTC-5) at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Thursday May 23rd. Should there be any last minute changes, please consult Solar Impulse’s Dallas page on the Solar Impulse website. Solar Impulse will be soaring in the early morning skies of Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday May … Read More

Australia’s First Solar Towers Are Not Yet Built, But They Have A Name

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Giles Parkinson

This article first appeared on RenewEconomy. The construction of what could be Australia’s first stand alone solar thermal power station has not even been agreed, but it has been named. The pro-renewable group Beyond Zero Emissions – which is pushing for the construction of solar towers at Port Augusta to replace the ageing and polluting brown coal generators in that town – is suggesting that the new facility be named after the town’s mayor, Joy … Read More

Tesla Battery Swap?

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Important Media Cross-Post

Battery swapping has been a somewhat contentious issue within the EV world. Basically, some people love the idea, some are more ‘meh’ about it. Israel-based Better Place and its many enthusiasts most hyped the idea, and it had some grand plans. As Chris DeMorro notes below, it has (for the time being, at least) folded on much of that. The market just didn’t seem ready for such a radical idea. But there are still some clear … Read More

New Printable Graphene Ink Made Possible By Exfoliation

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Tina Casey

Forget about that chest wax thing you’ve been thinking about, when it comes to exfoliation a team of researchers at Northwestern Engineering has everybody beat. The team has figured out a way to peel a layer of graphene, the “miracle material of the new millennium,” from a chunk of graphite quicker than you can say “ouch!” and that’s just the beginning. The graphene is being used to develop a low cost, highly conductive ink that … Read More

BMW M3 EV From EV West On The Dyno (Video)

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Important Media Cross-Post

Check out the super gearhead in this video below laughing with excitement about the ridiculous amount of torque in the BMW M3 EV. If anyone thought EVs meant “low power,” this should wake you up. Thanks to Chris DeMorro of CleanTechnica sister site Gas2 for the find and article. With major automakers now churning out EVs of their own, electric car conversion shops have taken a backseat in the news. Well, most shops at least. EV … Read More