For their third generation Prius, Toyota has been pushing a message of “harmony between man, nature and machine” and their latest marketing tool fits the bill. Toyota has been installing giant solar flower stations in various U.S. locations (taking turns for each area), and not only are the flowers eye catching and sources of solar power, they provide passersby with a spot to stop and charge their electronics or to take advantage of free WiFi. Each huge “flower” towers at 18 feet and features several solar panels attached to the back of its panels. Below the monster daisies, up to ten people can sit on the included benches for a little R & R (resting and recharging) or log into their favorite sites. Click here to read more

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Here’s a mesmerizing gift for solar power geeks and bike enthusiasts alike. The Solar Bicycle Rider Lamp is a striking object d’art that uses the sun to provide soft light and to bring life to the bicycle rider. The lamp has an adjustable solar panel that you can swivel to catch the sunlight (or any direct light source). Once the sun hits the panel, the little biker will start pedaling and with a 40W bulb inside, you’ll get some extra illumination in the room, too.

How’s that for showing off the power of the sun? Kids are bound to think this rider is amazing. Use it as a teaching moment–explain how solar power works, why it’s important and throw in a plug for biking over getting there by car while you’re at it.

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Women have had the decision making power for home purchases for ages, but you might be surprised that when it comes to moving toward cleaner energy, women are still the big influencers. According to the recent Women’s Survey on Energy and the Environment, they’re the ones paying the electric bill and making the decisions on energy use in homes and businesses.

The survey commissioned by Women Impacting Public Policy and Women’s Council on Energy and Environment found that women want clean energy and more than half are willing to fork over an extra $30 to make it happen. In part, this is because  women are concerned about air pollution and how it affects their children’s health. The problem is, despite this desire to be more eco-friendly, many women don’t understand our current electricity sources and how they impact our environment.  Click here to read more

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You can imagine any 110-story tower would have a big impact on the earth, but soon the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere will be eco-friendly. The Sears Tower, which is about to be renamed the Willis Tower for the insurance company that now resides there, will get a $350 million green-over that will reduce energy use by 80 percent and save 24 million gallons of water each year. That’s a pretty impressive improvement considering the skyscraper already meets LEED standards.

The plans include new windows that will control the indoor climate despite the diverse Chicago seasons, gas boilers equipped with fuel cells to generate electricity, new energy efficient elevators and escalators, new water-saving restroom fixtures, a condensation recovery system to recycle water, lighting that dims according to daylight conditions, solar panels to heat water, wind turbines and a green roof. Whew!

Besides being an example of green changes, the building will be home to a Sustainable Technology Learning Center, that can teach others to make green changes, too. The center will help visitors learn how to save money and be more eco-friendly at the same time. With the Empire State Building announcing similar green renovations earlier this year, perhaps this is a new trend in landmark skyscrapers.

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While the biggest factor that keeps people from converting to solar energy is probably the price, the aesthetic may be a component of the decision for many, and even those who have opted for solar power on their homes may wish they could have done it in a way that looked less sci-fi and more traditional. Well, if you’re someone who prefers a classic look but wants to get involved with renewable energy, there’s now a solar tile for you.

SRS Energy, based in Philadelphia, makes solar tiles (in a partnership with US Tile) that can blend right into other clay roof tiles—instead of sitting on top of your roof—creating the look of a Tuscan terracotta roof. You can even make your roof entirely out of solar tiles if you’re particularly into results and have plenty of money in the bank. The solar tiles, depending on your specific situation, can be slightly less or more effective than installing basic solar panels over existing roof, but will be especially beneficial for those building new green homes, serving as a component they can integrate into their architecture rather than an at-a-later-date add on. Click here to read more

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