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div>Gregg Hall asked:


I bet you had to read that headline twice! I know, I couldn't believe it myself. One of the biggest deterrents to buying an electric car for me has always been performance. Now we finally have someone with a vision for revolutionizing the industry that is doing what no one else has done to date, introduce an electric car that performs like a sports car.

The development of this cutting edge vehicle by Martin Eberhard is being bankrolled by high profile internet billionaires like the founders of Google and Paypal. This should tell you right away that this car is serious business.

The new batter powered car will be one of the quickest production cars available on the planet holding its own with the likes of Ferraris and Lamborghinis that cost five times what the new roadster will sell for. The name of the company is Tesla Motors, named for the Serbian inventor of the first AC powered motor.

The Tesla roadster gets its power from nearly 7,000 lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable of course. There is nothing special about the batteries either, they are the exact same batteries we use in our laptops. Besides going from 0 to sixty in under 4 seconds the vehicle has a top speed of over 130 mph and a range before recharging of 250 miles. The first model to be built will be a two seater roadster but they already have plans for a sedan as well. So what does it cost to run this car? You won't believe it, less than two cents a mile! Say goodbye to high gas prices because this car uses ZERO gas.

More on Zero To Sixty In Under Four Seconds In An Electric Car

Energy Tags: solar power, energy

The U.S. Postal Service plans to identify new, more environmentally friendly vehicle technologies that are less dependent on petroleum-based fuel sources to replace the 195,000 neighborhood delivery vehicles of its total 220,000 vehicles, the world’s largest civilian fleet. Today’s announcement came during a ceremony in which General Motors presented a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle to the Postal Service for testing in a mail-delivery environment.

“We are looking for a vehicle that operates from a fuel source that reduces—or eliminates—our dependence on petroleum products, that is good for the environment, good for our customers and good for the Postal Service,” said Walter O’Tormey, vice president, Engineering, as he accepted the keys to the Equinox Fuel Cell that will be tested in Irvine, CA.

Moving forward with non-petroleum fueled vehicles is more important to the Postal Service than ever, O’Tormey said, since a one-cent increase in a gallon of fuel adds $8 million annually to Postal Service expenses. Fuel costs last year were $1.7 billion and are expected to increase this year by $600 million.

“The Postal Service has been an invaluable partner, and they put our fuel cell vehicles through some tough, daily workouts,” said Mary Beth Stanek, director of energy and environmental policy & commercialization at General Motors. “We are gaining valuable insight on how these vehicles perform in demanding, real-world situations. By participating in Project Driveway, the Postal Service also is demonstrating the need to develop a hydrogen infrastructure to support fueling these vehicles.”

More on USPS Explores Options for ‘Green’ Mail Trucks

Energy Tags: battery technology, hybrid cars

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div>Daniel Stouffer asked:


This article explains the fundamental terms related to sunlight and residential solar energy systems. You will learn about units of measure, forms of solar radiation, spectral distribution, energy distribution, and solar position.

Germany and Japan are often cloudy or foggy but is where most solar panels now sold in the United States are produced. Because of the way solar modules produce power from direct, diffused and reflected light it works great in these conditions. A very high performing solar array can be found on a foggy beach in California.

Measuring Light and How Solar Panels Use It

The following terms related to different aspects of light and their characteristics as they come in contact with different physical formations on Earth. The definitions below will help explain how some residential solar energy systems seemingly in areas with poor sun quality can actually achieve respectable power output.

Irradiance - The rate of solar radiation falling on a given area at a moment in time. Irradiance is measured in units of kW/m2 (read kilowatts per square meter).

More on Measuring Solar Power: What the Sun Has to Offer. (part 5)

Energy Tags: solar energy, clean energy

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div>Correy Putton asked:


ZAP, an electric car pioneer, earlier unveiled the concept drawings of its X Crossover SUV on its website. The images are also highlighted in the April 2007 issue of Popular Science in the article titled ‘Who killed the gas guzzler?’ where you can also find an interview with Steve Schneider, the ZAP CEO.

The ZAP-X compact crossover SUV images highlight the technology, styling and the potent performance that the company wanted to integrate into the vehicle. The concept will feature all-wheel drive complemented with in-hub electric motors and other performance parts. The vehicle is capable of producing an astounding 644 horsepower and an impressive top speed of 155mph. The performance is achieved by combining a lightweight aluminum chassis, refined battery management system and a new proficient drive system. Basically, the goal of the vehicle is to achieve 350-mile range with a swift recharging time of ten minutes.

ZAP and Lotus Engineering will begin the first phase of an engineering project to use the British consultancy's APX or Aluminum Performance Crossover as a basis for designing the X-concept electric all-wheel drive crossover high performance vehicle for ZAP in the American market.

Steve Schneider, the CEO of ZAP, was earlier quoted saying: "Lotus Engineering's APX technology demonstrator vehicle is a perfect fit for our plans to introduce a full product portfolio of electric cars. Due to the initial design by Lotus, our cost and time to production will be significantly reduced. We believe that the ZAP-X will become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing flagship electric vehicle to date and will revolutionize the industry providing the driver with the enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV."

More on Zap Releases X Crossover Electric Car Concept Drawings

Energy Tags: battery technology, alternative energy

Michael Read asked:


As solar power is continues to gain popularity, manufacturers are now offering solar powered attic fans to consumers to help ventilate attics and keep attics cooler. The solar powered fans that are used for attics generally have a smaller solar panel to help power a DC motor when the sun is shining. By using solar powered attic fans, you will enjoy a plethora of benefits, including the four I will discuss in this article. 1. Save money There is no arguing the fact that electric rates are always on the rise, which makes solar powered fans so popular. By storing more solar energy because the roof is always in direct contact with the sun, you will make use of much more energy without paying a penny. Also, by continuously keeping your attic cool because of the low cost of solar powered fans, you no longer have to worry about dealing with mildew and mold. 2. Maximize exposure of sun to the solar panel Because of the way that many solar powered attic fans are designed, there is a mounting bracket that houses the solar panel. This helps optimize the angle of the panel to put it to use much more than an electric fan. The mounting bracket will also allow for remote mounting of the solar panel, which allows for optimal panel placement. 3. Minimize the ambient temperature of the solar panel With a powder coating that rests over the entire assembly in neutral gray color, this helps minimize the power output losses as temperatures increase. In doing so, it will help cool the attic and ensure that the solar powered fan does not act like a heat sink. Also, the mounting bracket allows for an envelope of cooler air to continuously circulate around the entire solar panel. By doing this, it provides the maximum electricity output from the panel to help run the fan motor. 4. Adaptable for all environments Although solar power is just becoming popular, technology has grown to allow solar powered attic fans to be adaptable for all locations, roof types and environments. Obviously, if you live in an environment that sees more sun you will be able to create more solar energy. However, the powder coat over solar powered fans allows these fans to withstand any environment. Solar powered attic fans are perfect for every attic to help eliminate the heat while decreasing the electric bill at the same time. Because of the high efficiency, environment friendly capability, and lower electric bills, solar powered fans are suitable for everyone in any environment around the world.

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Energy Tags: clean energy, solar energy