While it feels like the holiday season arrives earlier each year, it’s never too early to start thinking of presents for family and friends — or even yourself. This year’s market offers a bevy of alternative energy products, including solar shingles, new electric vehicles and solar gadgets. For some products, hopefully money isn’t an object; others make great stocking stuffers.
Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles
Description: Roofing shingles that not only protect your home, but also generate power.
Price: $10,000-$15,000 for a complete system in states that offer solar subsidies. Colorado is the first state to sell the shingles that are manufactured in Michigan. Contact a home builder.
The lowdown: In my last job as a business reporter in Michigan, I was able to tour the pilot factory in Midland, Mich. where the shingles are manufactured. A massive plant is currently under construction in Midland to address, what company officials estimate to be, a $5 billion market by 2015.
The technology is impressive. If you close your eyes and hold the shingle, you wouldn’t know the difference between a solar shingle or an asphalt shingle. After sliding off the line, workers test the shingle to see how much power it can generate by holding it under a special light. The shingle is then shipped, according to the power it can generate.
Are you going to buy this for your husband, wife or best friend for the holidays? Probably not. The hefty price tag is a rough estimate, and varies depending on you state’s solar subsidy and how big of a system you wish to install on your house. My recommendation (unless you’re a millionaire), only seriously look into this technology if you’re building a new home. Right now in Arvada, Colorado a subdivision of 50 homes by D.R. Horton Builders, is going up, and each home will feature an array of solar shingles.
While impressive, only time will tell if this technology is worth the cash.
2012 Mitsubishi MiEV
Description: The newest electric vehicle that is being touted as the “most efficient electric vehicle in its class.”
Price: Starting at $21,625, as high as $24,000 from your Mitsubishi dealer.
The Lowdown: As far as electric vehicles go, this one isn’t getting any nods for its design. It looks like a jelly bean on wheels. But for those looking to tool around town, this cute little ride can go nearly 65 miles on a single charge.
With any car purchase, you need to take into consideration where and how you’ll be driving. I drive up and down a mountain each day, so you’re not going to see me behind the wheel of this car. If you drive across windy bridges, I’d also be cautious. It looks light enough for a gust of wind to blow it right over. (That’s an exaggeration, but it’s not built for four wheelin’.)
Mitsubishi is saying the vehicle is designed for shorter city commutes. It can be powered through a 120V/15A power outlet. If you do opt for an EV or PHEV this season do check out CarStations for all your charging station needs.
What makes the MiEV especially appealing are the bonus features that come with it, including the auto company’s “Approaching Vehicle Audible System,” to alert pedestrians (apparently this car is really quiet), a rear-view camera with factory navigation system and a power outlet to plug in a laptop or other appliances. Nifty.
At about $22,000, the Mitsubishi is more affordable than its competitor, Nissan LEAF. So if you’re in need of a second commuter car, Plug-in with this Mitsubishi and go wild. And if you wind up getting one pre-holiday party, check out our list of top LED holiday lights and deck your ride with boughs of holly!
Logitech solar-powered wireless keyboard
Description: A wireless keyboard that doesn’t use batteries.
Price: $72 from Logitech.com
The low down: I’m surprised we haven’t seen more things like this. A solar powered, wireless keyboard that is not only perfect for offices with plenty of natural light, but also for bloggers working out of their parent’s basements. The keyboard eliminates batteries by being able to recharge from the sun or artificial light. Logitech says it can stay charged in the dark for at least three months… Wow, that’s a lot of homework right there.
I saw this keyboard at a tech shop in a Colorado mall and laid my hands on it to see how it feels. It’s safe to report that it feels like a normal keyboard. It’s thin profile also jazzes up your home office.
Most wireless keyboards (at least with Macs, which I use) run through Bluetooth Technology, which is great. This keyboard, however, is a little different. You have to plug in a USB receiver that the keyboard’s 2.4 Ghz wireless technology will pickup. The good: great range and most likely, zero interference or dropped signals. The bad: It takes up a USB spot. That might not be a big deal to some users, but for me, when I think wireless, I think one piece of equipment and nothing else to worry about. To each their own.
I haven’t used this keyboard, but there have been some reviews that it has weak keys that can pop out after some serious use. Tread type softly!
Nest learning thermostat
Description: A high-tech thermostat that adjusts according to your personalized schedule. This easy-to-install device creates a custom seven-day schedule based on your manual programming. And it looks pretty chic.
Price: $250 from Nest.com
The Low Down: Newer homes today are coming with a dashboard that allows the owner to control energy use in the home. Most of those dashboards are tech-savy enough to control your home’s energy from anywhere in the world using a smartphone or tablet. So, what makes this device any different? It attempts to learn your patterns so you don’t have to worry about turning up the heat in the morning and cooling down the house at night.
Right off the bat, it wins for design. The brushed metal, simple design resembles the likeness of Apple products, which makes it even more appropriate that you can use your iPhone to adjust your home’s temperature. The company is also headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif near Cupertino, Apple HQ.
On the first day of using your new thermostat, it will ask some basic questions like your zip code, if it should start by heating or cooling your home first and what are the lowest and highest temperatures you prefer. To adjust the temperature, you simply grip the device with your thumb and index finger and turn right for heat and left to cool down. After picking a temperature, the device will recognize what time you performed the adjustment and will “learn” it’s first pattern in your customized weekly schedule.
When it says it learns, it really learns — from when you’re at work, when you get back from work — and it will heat up and cool down in time for your arrival. Of course, you need to let it know when, so it can learn your schedule. Its auto-away feature helps you save on energy costs significantly, while maintaing a comfortable home.
Are you saving energy? If you see the little green leaf on the digital display, then yes. The company claims that just one degree can cut energy use by 5 percent.
After a week, you have your custom schedule, but growing up in Michigan, I know that weather is fickle. When you purchase the Nest, you also get a Nest.com account which allows you to change your home’s temperature from any computer or device (remember, you can use your iPhone or iPad — I’m not sure about Android devices right now.)
This seems like a pretty cool gadget that can save you some money in the long run. If this review doesn’t persuade you in any direction, the company has a great website and blog. Check it out at nest.com.
Grassy Lawn Charging Station
Description: A gimmicky charging station for your smartphone, iPod and digital cameras for those who want to show off their true green color. Your daily devices appear to be growing out of a desktop-sized bed of grass.
Price: $25 from thinkgeek.com
The Lowdown: When I decided to put together a list of alternative energy gadgets, I had to find the greenest gadget for the geekiest of environmental enthusiasts. Does this charging station save the planet? No. Is it anymore energy efficient than just plugging in your devices into the wall? Not at all. But will this look awesome in your cubicle or on your home desk? Hell yes.
This is probably an easy stocking stuffer or small gift for someone on your shopping list. It does keep your charging area clutter free. You simply snake your cables through the artificial grass, and have the receiver plug into your devices. You provide the cables. Real grass would have been nice but hey, who wants to mow the lawn inside?
