Zap Xebra Xero-Electric Truck with Solar panel

As solar cells become less expensive and generate more electricity per panel, they are finding there way into many unique and different types of uses.  Enter the Xebra Xero electric truck with solar panel boost.

First if all, the totally radical Zap Xebra Xero truck is something to behold all by itself. It’s a classic 3 wheeler, available for sale at several outlets around the US, and is an extremely functional little vehicle. With optional battery pack, you can go 40 miles at 40 miles per hour, which makes this a perfect vehicle for any city or near country home! It even has a 500 pound carrying capacity as well, which means that it is just as functional as it is green.

Maybe the best aspect is the uniquely mounted solar cell panel over the rear. According to spec sheets, on just the solar panel alone, a person can drive the Xebra Xero for about 5 miles. Needless to say, when using this in conjunction with the batteries and in full sunlight, range can be extended dramatically. It’s almost like, no matter where you are in an electric vehicle that has the capability to harness power from the sun, you will never be stranded. 

This seems to me that an idea like this should be incorporated into virtually every electric battery powered vehicle made. Even if it is just a panel that is stowed away in a trunk, to be pulled out as an aid to charging, the practicality is considerable.

But that’s where the Zap Xebra Xero comes in. One of the first truly practical elelctric vehicles out there, with a solar panel built in for that extra charging boost, whenever the sun shines. Great idea!

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/zap_adds_solar_.html

Solar Cells, Commonplace in Everyday Life.

What was once an incredibly exotic piece of technology has now become almost an afterthought. Let’s face it, to most of us as kids, we all thought that converting sunlight into electricity was one of the coolest things we had ever heard of. I mean, every science class had one, and it was like, can you believe this? Free power from the sun? Just plug something into a solar panel and go!

 

Of course, it was never that easy, what with wires and conversion kits and such, but it sure seemed that way when we found out about what a solar cell could really do.

 

What, you don’t believe The Green Guy? Go on, pull out that calculator of yours, I dare ya! Notice how it doesn’t run on batteries, unless you have a model from back in the Stone Age, that is. Notice the little black panel above all the buttons on top? That, my friends, is a solar panel, and it is the only thing feeding electrical current into your calculator. They are efficient enough to even work under regular lighting, which is something to be said about modern efficiency.

 

You want more? Small solar trickle chargers are everywhere, Attach them through a cigarette lighter or battery leads and leave then next to a window or on a dash board. For vehicles that are parked for long periods of time, it’s a free and easy way to keep your battery fresh.

 

I-pod chargers, cell phone chargers, MP3 chargers, they all come as solar cell panels where all you need to do is plug something into them and go! Hmmm, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

 

There are many more uses, of course, but just these applications alone will keep solar cells commonplace in everyday life.

Earth For Energy-Going Green in a Box

 

 

This looks like a great product, and truthfully, I can’t find anything but good words written about it. It’s called Earth for Energy, and is essentially plans and ideas on how to go green by producing your own electricity.*

 

There are complete instructions on how to construct your own solar panel array, by essentially using aftermarket parts, and a little construction skill. Supposedly, you can pick up solar cell arrays for cheap, then by following instructions, put together an entire solar panel. There are pictures and step by step instructions that guide you every step of the way.

 

It isn’t just confined to solar cells either. They also include plans to make your very own enrgy producing windmill, again, for very little money. (When I say very little money, I mean with less than a couple of hundred dollars as opposed to spending thousands for the same type of device.)

 

The real trick is to buy the components yourself and then with the plans, put it all together. Granted, there will be some skill involved to do all of this, but considering the savings that can be realized, there has to be someone available for the nuts and bolts work here. I mean, a brother or a sister, call Uncle Tenoose or Aunt Bertha, bribe them with chocolate and give them the plans if you don’t believe you are up to the nitty gritty yourself.

 

To me, and from I have read, for an introductory price of $49.97, it sure seems worth it. But only reading reviews and not having seen it myself, it sure looks good on paper. However, because I am curious about this, I will personally an Earth for Energy kit, and give you my honest opinion. So there you go people of A Cooler Planet, stay tuned!

 

*http://www.earth4energy.com/index.php

Earth For Energy-Going Green in a Box

 

 

This looks like a great product, and truthfully, I can’t find anything but good words written about it. It’s called Earth for Energy, and is essentially plans and ideas on how to go green by producing your own electricity.*

 

There are complete instructions on how to construct your own solar panel array, by essentially using aftermarket parts, and a little construction skill. Supposedly, you can pick up solar cell arrays for cheap, then by following instructions, put together an entire solar panel. There are pictures and step by step instructions that guide you every step of the way.

 

It isn’t just confined to solar cells either. They also include plans to make your very own enrgy producing windmill, again, for very little money. (When I say very little money, I mean with less than a couple of hundred dollars as opposed to spending thousands for the same type of device.)

 

The real trick is to buy the components yourself and then with the plans, put it all together. Granted, there will be some skill involved to do all of this, but considering the savings that can be realized, there has to be someone available for the nuts and bolts work here. I mean, a brother or a sister, call Uncle Tenoose or Aunt Bertha, bribe them with chocolate and give them the plans if you don’t believe you are up to the nitty gritty yourself.

 

To me, and from I have read, for an introductory price of $49.97, it sure seems worth it. But only reading reviews and not having seen it myself, it sure looks good on paper. However, because I am curious about this, I will personally an Earth for Energy kit, and give you my honest opinion. So there you go people of A Cooler Planet, stay tuned!

 

*http://www.earth4energy.com/index.php

Solar Cells, Commonplace in Everyday Life.

 

 

What was once an incredibly exotic piece of technology has now become almost an afterthought. Let’s face it, to most of us as kids, we all thought that converting sunlight into electricity was one of the coolest things we had ever heard of. I mean, every science class had one, and it was like, can you believe this? Free power from the sun? Just plug something into a solar panel and go!

 

Of course, it was never that easy, what with wires and conversion kits and such, but it sure seemed that way when we found out about what a solar cell could really do.

 

What, you don’t believe The Green Guy? Go on, pull out that calculator of yours, I dare ya! Notice how it doesn’t run on batteries, unless you have a model from back in the Stone Age, that is. Notice the little black panel above all the buttons on top? That, my friends, is a solar panel, and it is the only thing feeding electrical current into your calculator. They are efficient enough to even work under regular lighting, which is something to be said about modern efficiency.

 

You want more? Small solar trickle chargers are everywhere, Attach them through a cigarette lighter or battery leads and leave then next to a window or on a dash board. For vehicles that are parked for long periods of time, it’s a free and easy way to keep your battery fresh.

 

I-pod chargers, cell phone chargers, MP3 chargers, they all come as solar cell panels where all you need to do is plug something into them and go! Hmmm, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

 

There are many more uses, of course, but just these applications alone will keep solar cells commonplace in everyday life.

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