Real Estate Feeds

Plumen 001 has been shooting around the internet today (i.e., Good, Morin, Re-Nest).  The designer CFL saves 80% on energy bills and lasts eight times longer than a regular incandescent.  It's an 11-watt bulb that outputs 680 lumens with a color temperature of 2700k.  But it's not available in the US until next year, and Plumen 002 is in the works.  In any event, Plumen seems perfect for the exposed lighting situation pictured above and below.

[+] Get more info on Plumen 001 by Hulger.

Credits: Hulger.

As a community committed to thought leadership and the pursuit of it, I want to take a short moment to mention Opportunity Green 2010, the world's leading cross-industry, sustainable business conference.  Ranked as the #1 Green Conference by Google, Opportunity Green is at the nexus of the connections and collaborations that are vital to propelling new business models in a green economy.

This year’s conference will be held at LA Center Studios from September 22 – 24, 2010.  Gensler and BMW Designworks USA have joined with the conference to curate interactive pavilions designed to engage and inspire new thought leadership. 

As you enter the conference complex, one of the first things you will see is a massive, fully up-cycled, “tree” installation. The interconnected sculpture will be made up of re-purposed LED panels from iOS Light, reclaimed wood, and recycled cardboard tubing.  Attendees can create the "leaves" by bringing business cards and inserting them individually into the “branches.”

While in attendance, speakers from Patagonia, The Coca-Cola Company, News Corporation, Siemens, Eastman, BBMG, PG&E, AgraQuest, BrightSource Energy, Mindful Investors, Art Center College of Design, BrightSource Energy, and other companies will be on hand to discuss the best practices and latest trends.

If you're interested in attending, Opportunity Green has provided Jetson Green readers with discount of 35% off registration by using this code: JGREEN

[+] Register for Opportunity Green 2010 in Los Angeles (use the code!)

Earlier this year, specialty glass maker Bendheim introduced a new line of textured architectural glass made with 25-40% post-consumer recycled content material.  EcoGlass, as it is called, is made in Europe by Glasfabrik Lamberts in an oxygen and fuel-fired cast glass furnace.  The product also contains a minimum of 20% pre-consumer recycled content.

EcoGlass can be used in a number of commercial and residential situations, including, but not limited to, curtainwalls, partitions, sliding doors, lighting, and shower enclosures.

The product is available in 10 textures – all shown here – and can be infused with various color interlayers or coatings for aesthetics.  Bendheim uses isocyanate-free pigments to coat EcoGlass.

EcoGlass comes in three thicknesses, 5/32", 1/4", and 3/8", and sheet sizes up to 70" by 126".  Using the product can help a project obtain multiple LEED points, such as those that are available for using recycled content materials and preserving daylighting and views.

[+] Get more info on the EcoGlass Collection from Bendheim.

Credits: Bendheim.

Perhaps you've seen one of a few micro-inverter-type solar products on the market and wondered whether you could install a solar system at home.  Unless you're an electrician, that may or may not be a good idea, but these products (some available now and others coming to market) make it a whole lot easier to get started generating solar energy at home.  Check these five:

1.  Westinghouse from Akeena Solar

Andalay Solar, now Westinghouse Solar, from Akeena Solar is a modular system (with built-in racking, grounding, and wiring) that the company says is ideal for DIYers because it has 80% less parts than other systems and delivers AC power.  (Read our prior coverage.)

2.  Solar in a Box from Ready Solar

Ready Solar also offers a modular system designed for easy installation.  Micro-inverters convert DC to AC at each panel, which can be mounted on a roof or the ground, and Ready Solar ships everything in boxes for roof or ground-mount installation.  (Read our prior coverage.)

3.  SolarClover from Armageddon Energy

Armageddon Energy makes a SolarClover with a micro-inverter, a simple triangular mounting system, and three solar leaves, if you will.  The company hopes to make its SolarClover commercially available by year end, while pre-production systems are available to select customers.  (Read our prior coverage.)

4.  SunSine AC Module from GreenRay Solar

GreenRay Solar makes a SunSine AC Module that the company calls the "world's first solar appliance."  The plug and play system incorporates the PV module, inverter, mounting, and wiring in a single package. 

5.  Sunfish from Clarian Power

Clarian Power is developing a solar power module, the Sunfish, that plugs into an existing outlet and installs without a dedicated electrical panel.  The product, which has a built-in micro-inverter, will not require contractors, installers, or additional wires.  (Read our prior coverage.)

Did we miss any dead-simple solar options for the home?

This is East Village Lofts in the Revitalization District of East 11th Street in Austin, Texas.  The structure, designed by Bercy Chen Studio, makes a bold statement about the intersection of art and sustainability with a multifaceted facade of colorful steel panels.   The panels, as you would imagine, double as a shade device and guardrails for condo balconies. 

East Village Lofts includes 11 retail stores and offices, 20 condominiums, and roof decks accessible to everyone in the building. 

Bercy Chen Studio told Jetson Green in an email that homes range from approximately $130,000 for a studio to $290,000 for a two-bedroom loft unit.  

For that, residents get insulated low-e windows, no-VOC paints, R19 insulated walls, R30 insulated roofing, two green roof areas, low-impact native landscaping, and construction with recycled and recyclable materials.  

East Village Lofts, or Block 19, was shortlisted in the Design for All competition held by Design Boom and Seoul Design Fair 2010. 

[+] Take a Virtual Tour of East Village by Bercy Chen Studio.

Credits: Bercy Chen Studio.

Earlier this summer, GE launched the first product in its Brillion suite of home energy management solutions, the Nucleus.  This is a data storage device that collects household electricity cost and use data and gives it to homeowners via computer and smart phones.  Nucleus is expected to be available for consumer purchase in early 2011 for the price of $149-199. 

Nucleus connects with the your home's smart meter to provide real-time cost and use information for up to three years. 

The Brillion line also includes a programmable thermostat, in-home display, a smart phone app, and smart appliances, which will be released in the future.  For example, consumers will be able to adjust thermostats or alter electricity consumption of GE Profile appliances with the technology. 

In time, GE will upgrade the Nucleus software to monitor water, natural gas, on-site energy systems, and plug-in EV charging, according to a press release.

[+] Get more info on the GE Nucleus available in 2011.

Credits: GE.

This award-winning design will be constructed in downtown New Orleans with steel structural insulated panels, high performance windows, and rooftop solar panels.  It was designed by Judith Kinnard, professor of architecture at Tulane University, and Tiffany Lin, assistant professor of architecture, who took first place in a competition involving steel SIPs from OceanSafe.

OceanSafe SSIPs are made with an EPS core and galvalume panels.  The panels snap together and are extremely strong -- withstanding winds of up to 225 mph and an earthquake of up to an 8.6 magnitude.  

With these panels, the off-grid capable house will be about 1,000 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.  On the roof, one part is optimized for solar panels, while the other funnels water into the courtyard for bathing, washing clothes, flushing waste, and watering a small vegetable garden. 

SunShower SSIP House will be constructed in October at the corner of Julia Street and St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.  The home is estimated to cost about $100 per square foot.

[+] Read more about SunShower SSIP House via Tulane University.

Credits: OceanSafe. 

It's that time of year when exterior furniture is discounted and available for a song.  Loll Designs, maker of beautiful, recycled, modern outdoor furniture, is offering free shipping on all products, 15% off of black furniture, and 10% off of all color furniture.  Loll furniture is made with 100% recycled HDPE and shipped in recycled and recyclable packaging.  Check out some of these deals:

Topo Table - from $170.00

Coco Chair - from $297.50

Cabrio Lounge Chair - from $335.75

Picket Double Bench - from $629.00

[+] See more Modern Recycled Outdoor Furniture from Loll Designs.

Credits: Loll Designs.

For the fourth year, Jetson Green has teamed up with West Coast Green as a media partner.  We're excited to invite you to West Coast Green 2010 – the world’s leading event on green innovation for the built environment.  As a friend of Jetson Green, you are invited to attend this conference with a special access pass here or click the image above.

You’ll hear breaking announcements from Smart Grid innovators, such as Intel, IBM and PG&E, unveiling products and technologies that will revolutionize buildings and infrastructure.  You’ll engage with leaders like Bill McDonough, Cradle-to-Cradle author and urban design visionary, in an unprecedented 3-hour deep dive.

Whether your business is still just a spark in your eye or on its way to going public; whether you’re an investor or an inventor, a technology fanatic or a caring citizen, you’ll get what you need to elevate your idea, revolutionize your business, and acquire the competitive edge.

West Coast Green is your opportunity to see, share, learn and participate in green innovation and design for cities of the future.  It’s where you can scale your impact exponentially.  Where your ideas gain traction due to the power of collective intelligence and optimism.  Where change is generated to the power of 10.  The conference is September 30 through October 2, 2010, in the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, California. 

[+] 30% discount on full conference registration (must use this link).

• The $300 house.
• Green building goes mainstream.
• Why don't more builders use SIPs.
• Family apartments could help smart growth.
• Objectively looking for the greenest buildings.
• Devices that help plug electrical leaks.
• Creating a green kitchen.
• The eco-economy.

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