Creative Green Energy Uses

We lay out solar panels on our roofs to harness and capture the suns rays to turn them into a source of power, so long as the sun rises, you have energy, even if just a bit.

We capture the power of the wind in our yards to help live off the grid, so long as the wind blows, you have a source of energy.

We have harnessed the power of water over the years, grow and eat more organic foods, ride a bike or walk more than hopping into a car.

Some of us have even gone so far as to refit and redesign homes with seasons and types of materials in mind and all of this is noble and doing its bit for the environment.

But can we do more?

Do not be to surprised if you are at a beach or a even a outdoor pool and you see a girl plug her iPod/iPad or other smartphone into her bikini - she is not crazy and neither are you.

A designer named Andrew Schneider, who is based out of Brooklyn, NY came up with a novel idea of using photovoltaic film strips to create a bikini that will charge devices while on the go, erm, on the beach.

While it may resemble some new geeky cyber fetish wear, it is a functional bikini, that is also stylish and durable.

Andrew Schneider creates each bikini by hand, spending about 80 hours on each bikini stitching super slim and flexible photovoltaic film strips together using a conductive thread.

The photovoltaic cells terminate in a 5V regulator, all of the power is transferred to the device. So a a dip in the waters will not leave you or your bikini fried.

Silvr Lining has introduced an entire line of clothing, mostly outdoor types, that incorporate solar power into their design, and like the bikini they are functional and durable. They allow you power up near any device with a USB.

They are available in two colours and they are even made from the animal friendly material UItrasuede. The drawstring, sit on your hips style is not only light in weight, but also stain and water resistant.

The two photovoltaic panels on the side pockets of the cargo pants function as independent power supply units that can simultaneously charge two devices, using the clean energy of the sun.

Be prepared to dig deeply into your pocket though, one pair cost $920.00.

Diffus, the design firm that brought us the climate dress, have a new project on the go, a fashionable and stylish solar powered handbag. Rather than camouflaged into the bag, the minature photovoltaic cells are a integral part of the design, proudly displayed.

One hundred tiny solar panels that have enough juice to power cellphones or other mobile devices, all while on the move in your day to day activities. A sturdy black carry all bag or purse, that makes solar power a chic statement with its cooper framed solar cells and creative and artful exposed wires. Able to generate 2 watts, which will only increase as the materials for photovoltaic improves.

An added benefit of the design is the bag activates fiber optics inside the bag, acting like a flashing and making finding anything in your bag at night, a breeze.

This dress, while it does not charge anything or generate any energy is a excellent example of how a little creativity can bring environmental awareness in a easily understood way, in layman terms. The dress is essentially an aesthetic representation of environmental data, creating awareness of ones environment.

This rather stylish and comfortable looking dress, with an air of haute couture uses LED lights that respond to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is powered by microprocessors with a carbon dioxide detector, which transmits information to the hand stitched lights, resulting in patterns that range from slow pulses to rapid flashes, depending on the concentration of the gas around the wearer.