Their road to riches is green
If you're like me, you find the demonstration of creative genius in new products coming onto the market in the green era, inspirational. Here are two: Recently nominated as one of the ten most innovative companies in USA by web magazine, FastCompany, SolarRoad subsidiary, CubeTube offers an indoor photovoltaic electrical generator, designed to power workstations by harvesting the energy that is released from normal overhead lighting, and which is otherwise be wasted. Think of the lowered office lighting bills & energy savings! CubeTube's patented cylindrical shape allows light harvesting in all directions including overhead. Their device clips to cubicle walls, or can be placed on desktops or windowsills. Available in US, the company claims the device is inexpensive, easy to install, and will quickly pay for itself in electrical savings. CubeTube will not be affected by weather changes because it works completely by harvesting indoor lighting. Sister company, SolarFilm offers a sprayable nano-based solar technology that creates energy by using heat, light, and magnetics. It's formulation uses photovoltaic (PV) and thermionic chemical compositions, making it one of the most advanced solar technologies ever created. In the mornings when the sun begins to heat the atmosphere, the thermionic generator will be active long before there is enough visible light to activate the PV cells. Likewise, at night, long after the sunlight has gone down, this material will still create electricity. The company say SolarFilm is durable, efficient, and extremely versatile. Each application is about the thickness of road paint, and it can be applied to a variety of surfaces, such as roadways, shingles, siding, and vehicle paints. Pollutant free, SolarFilm can be matched to any color, texture, or surface shape. Not yet released, the product will provide a consumer- and environment-friendly energy solution; which the company claim is is reliable, easily maintained, and safe.