inverter

Invert colors for puzzle gaming fun

Shift 2 is the sequel to Shift, a unique puzzle game that uses a Shift button to invert black-and-white objects, letting you walk on different surfaces to try to reach the goal. Though difficult to describe, you'll quickly understand once you start playing, and Shift 2 takes the unique game mechanic to new heights across 120 levels. Like the original, you only have a couple of controls on the bottom for running and jumping, and then Shift buttons on both sides at the top to invert the colors.

To get you started, Shift 2 gives you onscreen hints to … Read more

DOE gives $8.5 million to grid infrastructure projects

While not a very sexy topic in realm of politics or green tech news, electrical grid infrastructure is a critical, maybe the critical, component that could make or break a successful U.S. switch to using more renewable energy sources.

Perhaps that's why the Department of Energy announced Tuesday it's giving $8.5 million to four electric grid projects in the final stages of completion.

As part of the Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) program, from which the money comes, the DOE funds will be matched by private funds from contractors for four chosen projects.

Including the … Read more

SolarEdge uses chip to boost solar panel output

Israeli start-up SolarEdge has developed electronics to squeeze enough inefficiencies out of solar panels' wiring to make an array up to 25 percent more productive.

The company plans to disclose the details of its technology on Wednesday at the Intersolar 2009 conference in Munich, as well as to announce that German solar installer Gehrlicher will offer SolarEdge's products.

SolarEdge is seeking to address a number of performance problems common to solar power, such as lost electricity production from partial shading or converting direct current to household alternating current in an inverter. The company has raised about $35 million since … Read more

CIA secrets in your microwave

If you think the most you can do with a microwave is bake a potato or two, think again. Panasonic just announced a new collaboration with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). What does this collaboration mean for you? Oh, only that some of the best chefs in the country will develop no-fuss gourmet recipes for cooking with Panasonic microwaves, as well as create key microwave-cooking technique videos that will be hosted on Panasonic's microwave Virtual Test Kitchen Web site.

The recipes are designed to be affordable, easy, and quick to prepare, with broad appeal. The CIA will also … Read more

Power all your gadgets from the cupholder

As some people insist on turning their cars into vehicular workstations, we can expect to see more peripherals to help make their offices more efficient behind the wheel. One under-utilized spot is the cupholder--and that's where this next item comes in.

The "Targus 100W Cupholder Style Auto Power Inverter" fits snugly in the space that alternately holds your coffee and powers your gadgets with 100 to 150 watts through its 120-volt AC plug, according to Uncrate. Additional convenience comes in the form of USB and PPS ports for mobile phones and other handheld devices.

The only downside … Read more

Going off grid? Xantrex introduces hybrid solar power inverter

Inverter maker Xantrex on Monday announced an overhaul to its inverters that let people combine a renewable energy source with some back-up power.

Inverters convert direct current generated by solar panels or a wind turbine to household alternating current. When the power goes out, the Xantrex inverter draws on batteries to meet the household's load.

The Trace Series Inverter/Charger replaces its existing DR line that the company has sold since the 1990s which is most used in countries that don't have reliable power supply.

The updated Trace Series is more user friendly to operate and is more … Read more

Solar panel 'gateway' pipes data from rooftop to Web

Inverter maker Xantrex on Thursday introduced a device for gathering performance data on rooftop solar electric panels.

The Xantrex Gateway is designed to monitor the amount of electricity that solar panels generate and transmits that information to a person's PC through a home Wi-Fi connection.

Monitoring equipment is commonly used for large-scale installations at corporations or power plants. This gateway is designed specifically for people's homes or small-scale solar power installations.

Gathering performance information is very important for solar panel homeowners.

State rebates can be tied to performance, and the payback on solar panels relies on them operating … Read more

Keep solar power on when power goes out

Savor the irony. When there is a blackout, your solar power system will probably go out too.

That's because most systems are tied to the electrical grid. (In Germany, the utilities pay for this electricity, but in most states here, the utilities give you credit against any grid power you might buy.) To ensure that their workers don't get hurt, utilities shut off all devices that feed power into particular sectors of the grid when doing repairs.

To ameliorate that problem, SMA America, the U.S. group of a larger German company, has released a new version of … Read more