When I think about overarching topics in systems design for eco-tenants, there are four that immediately come to mind: food, water, “waste” (nutrient and materials cycling), and energy (electricity, fuel, etc.). While I can spout off a diverse range of renter-appropriate solutions for the first three, my repertoire for energy is usually limited to the conservation side of the equation (CFLs, shrink-wrapping windows during winter, etc.). These ideas for renter-generated power are pretty neat, and hopefully just the tip of the iceberg of more to come…
Via Apartment Therapy’s Re-Nest, here are two photovoltaic solutions for folks who rent:
SolMeter :: In this California program, you sponsor the installation of solar panels somewhere, and you receive a portion of the profits from the electricity that it generates, which you can apply to your own electricity bill, or whatever else you want.
Veranda Solar :: Again, from California (big surpise!). This startup makes beautiful little panels that you could mount outside of a window with (or without, I suppose) a landlords permission. According to the website, they’re orders currently exceed production, but you can sign up to be notified when more are available.
Coming Soon: Photovoltaic Curtains
One technology that I’m excited about, but that apparently doesn’t exist quite yet, are photovoltaic window curtains. They’re such a simple and wonderful idea: when it’s sunny, just close the drapes and generate electricity!
It looks like several companies have them in the works, but they’re not available at this time. Here’s a link to a CNN article about the concept. I’ll definitely be blogging about these whenever they hit the market!
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