Volkswagen's diesel-friendly BlueMotion in Singapore

Forget hybrids, think diesel. Because that's the way Volkswagen says is the future if you aim to cut both your fuel costs and carbon footprint. Before you utter shock and horror over the idea of diesel, which conjures up images of smoke-spluttering taxi cabs and lorries, the German car maker is out to change your perception. Its first BlueMotion diesel passenger car in Singapore, launched over the weekend, is a fuel-sipper that's not only kind to your wallet, it's kind to the planet. This is identified by a BlueMotion logo on the number plates and "CO2 neutral" stickers on the sides.

With rising gas prices burning a hole in our pockets, BlueMotion's weapon is a technology that gives the 1.4-liter Polo BlueMotion an average fuel consumption of 3.8 liters/100km. Besides reportedly better mileage, regular gasoline costs about S$2.11 a liter (Unleaded 98) vs. S$1.87 for diesel. Though given diesel's rising price, the fuel savings differential appears to be narrowing.
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First Solar and Sempra plan thin-film solar plant

First Solar is teaming up with Sempra Generation to build in the Nevada desert what could become North America's largest thin-film photovoltaic plant. The 10-megawatt project would be located 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas, next to Sempra's natural gas plant in El Dorado.

"As a result, the impact to the immediate environment is minimal and the project completion timeline will be shorter," Mike Ahearn, CEO of First Solar, said in a statement.

Sempra will develop, own, and operate the plant, which First Solar will maintain and monitor. Construction began in July and is set to finish in the fourth quarter.

"We look forward to helping the region's utilities meet state requirements calling for them to include solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources in their power portfolios," Michael Allman, president and chief executive of Sempra Generation, said in a statement. The San Diego, Calif., company is a division of Sempra Energy.

First Solar uses cadmium telluride rather than silicon, which has been costlier and in short supply. Rival thin-film companies such as Global Solar use copper indium gallium selenide, or CIGS, to make solar cells.

First Solar said it installed 300 megawatts of modules in 2007 with thin-film photovoltaics that maximize available sunlight even in cloudy weather. The company was commissioned to provide systems for a 40-megawatt plant in Germany by 2009.
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GP's eco-friendly Solar Charger

Now, here's another way to do your part for the environment and save on your electricity bills at the same time. Instead of plugging into the mains to recharge your batteries, try the new GP Solar Charger, the company's first battery charger using solar energy. It comes with two thin-film solar panels laminated in UV stabilized and weather-resistant polymers. This supposedly helps make the charger more durable while minimizing its weight.

According to GP, it takes almost six hours to recharge two AA batteries (or 2 hours for AAA cells) under direct sunlight, which is slightly longer than what is usually expected of regular AC battery chargers. The advantage, however, is that the Solar Charger can be used outdoors where there is no access to the mains. Of course, with solar power being a free renewable source of energy, the Solar Charger also makes more economic and eco-friendly sense, too.

The GP Solar Charger was first launched in Hong Kong in mid-July, followed by Singapore last week. There is no word on when it will be available in other parts of Asia at press time. It will retail at S$39.90 (US$28.73) with two AA-sized GP ReCyko rechargeable batteries which have been pre-charged for use immediately after purchase.

Wii controller gets renewable power pack

Here's a chance for you to chip in to the well-being of Gaia and go green. Sanyo and Nintendo have joined forces and introduced a new Eneloop Wii battery pack complete with standalone recharging dock. Aside from the environmentally friendly design, this product also offers Eneloop's renowned power retention feature combined with expansion capability to support up to another three additional units. The latter enables the ensemble to be driven by a single AC adapter, but with the caveat of "one-at-a-time-only" sequential charging.

The dock has been further designed to cater for silicon jacket-encased Wii controllers and requires up to 220 minutes for a full charge. Well, don't bang your luck on seeing these battery packs in your local retail stores anytime soon as they're currently available only in Japan. Yes, it sucks, but the Japanese are known for keeping the good stuff for domestic consumption. How about a short stopover at Akihabara, anyone?

Via Akihabara News | Photo credit: Akihabara News

Nissans to use ICP Solar battery chargers

Nissan cars sold in North America and Europe will feature solar chargers from ICP Solar, under a sales agreement announced Tuesday by the two companies.

The chargers will serve to keep the 12-volt batteries of new Nissans charged while they are parked on sales lots. Car dealers often have to replace batteries left dormant, even on new vehicles.

"With the new generation of cars including more and more electronics embedded such as GPS navigation systems, DVD player, cruise control, hands-free cell phones, and voice activation, the battery drain on new cars will become more of an issue for major automotive manufacturers and car dealers," said Tom Clark, Nissan's vice president of Sales for the Americas, in a statement.
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