The vessel will be able to achieve a top speed of around 15 knots, equivalent to 15 miles per hour, and can accommodate 50 people on its round-the-world voyage, its Swiss-based builders say. The boat is topped by 5,380 square feet of solar panels, with a bright white cockpit sticking up in the center.

Constructed at the Knierim Yacht Club in Kiel in northern Germany, its design also means it will be able to slice smoothly through the waves even in rough seas w.

PlanetSolar will be launched in late March before starring at Hamburg port’s 821st anniversary celebrations in May and undergoing testing between June and September. The world tour will then start in April 2011.

As business travelers become increasingly dependent on their cell phones, iPods, iPhone and PDA’s, the Optical travel case will give them the ability to easily keep these devices charged all day in the front pocket of their case.

It stores up to 96 hours of reserve power for cell phones, iPods, digital cameras, PDAs, MP3s, PSPs, iPhones (including iPhone 3G) and most electronic devices. USB connectors power up iPods and accessories, MP3players, PDAs, smart mobile phones, digital cameras,games consoles, BlackBerrys, Bluetooth headsets and many more digital devices. Works with iPod (3rd,4th,5th Gen), Mini, Nano, Photo, Video, Shuffle, iTouch and iPhone (including iPhone 3G)!

The term “energy conservation measure” includes installations or modifications primarily designed to reduce consumption of electricity or natural gas, or improve the management of energy demand. Eligible dwelling units include houses, apartments, condominiums, mobile homes, boats and similar properties. If a building or structure contains both dwelling and other units, any subsidy must be properly allocated.

Given the definition of “energy conservation measure,” there is strong evidence that utility rebates for residential solar-thermal projects and solar-electric systems may be nontaxable. However, the IRS has not ruled definitively on this issue. For taxpayers considering using this provision for renewable energy systems, consultation with a tax professional is advised.

Other types of utility subsidies that may come in the form of credits or reduced rates may also be nontaxable, according to IRS Publication 525:

“Utility rebates. If you are a customer of an electric utility company and you participate in the utility’s energy conservation program, you may receive on your monthly electric bill either: a reduction in the purchase price of electricity furnished to you (rate reduction), or a nonrefundable credit against the purchase price of the electricity. The amount of the rate reduction or nonrefundable credit is not included in your income.”

You can read about state and local incentives on the DSIRE database.
Here is a list of Federal initiatives from the database (taken from dsireusa.org):

Corporate Depreciation: Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)
Corporate Exemption: Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Corporate)
Corporate Tax Credit: Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit
Solar and Geothermal Business Energy Tax Credit
Federal Grant Program: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
Tribal Energy Program Grant
Value-Added Producer Grant Program
Federal Loan Program Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)
Energy Star Financing and Mortgages
Tax-exempt Financing for Green Buildings, Renewable Energy & Brownfield Redevelopment
Personal Exemption: Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Personal)
Production Incentive: Conservation Security Program (CSP) Production Incentive
Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI)
Green Power Purchasing/Aggregation: Federal Government - Green Power Purchasing Goal
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives and Policies: U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program

For Canadian residents, the Canadian Solar Energy Industry Association provides a list of government incentives.

From the wonderful show on Discovery Channel - How It’s Made - comes this video segment which explores how solar panels are made.

The Coleman Solar Charger CL-300 can also be used to charge small electronic devices such as GPS, iPods, iPhones, Blackberrys and other cell phones.

The major advantage is that because there isn’t a hot spot and the heat input is gentle a very homogeneous temperature is attained. This means that less water is needed, the food’s juices are conserved and that complex carbohydrates have enough time to break down.

Respected institutions such as Florida Solar Energy Center and Energy Laboratories, Inc. tested and refined the product’s design over a six-year period.