Sierra Club Green Home

Florida-based SAF-GLAS, which creates disaster-resistant and security-related glass products, recently introduced EnergyGlass at a solar seminar at GlassBuild America. This transparent glass incorporates inorganic nanoparticles into clear laminated glass. With its use of a proprietary polycarbonate interlayer and patented film, this turns a window into a 24-hour a day solar “farm.” (Photo by Ecstaticist, Flickr)

With expectations of one million electric vehicles (EVs) entering America’s roadways by 2016, the need to establish a sustainable EV infrastructure is immediate. General Electric and REC Solar partner up to boost the placement of more solar-powered EV charging stations across the country. (Photo courtesy of GE.com)

DALLAS — University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center recently added a solar carport. Solar carports both protect cars from the elements and generate electricity for nearby buildings. UT’s solar carport helps the campus reduce its energy bill, and also serves as a charging station for electric vehicles. (Photo courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical Center)

PHILIPPINES — Millions of people in the Philippines live in relative darkness. With the cost of electricity beyond the means of many, residents of poorer communities resort to using candles or kerosene lamps, which pose serious health and fire hazards. But, there is an incredibly simple solution that is both greener and safer. (Photo courtesy of ALiterofLight.org)

Japan is known for being high tech, and thanks to companies such as Panasonic, its high tech is going green. Take a look at Panasonic’s eco innovations for the smart home of the future and the smart city the company plans to complete by 2013. (Illustration courtesy of Panasonic)

One of the most exciting acquisitions Panasonic made when merging with SANYO is Kasai Green Energy Park, a massive testing site for large-scale, renewable power storage systems. It is what Panasonic sees as the answer to energy resources issues. Take a tour of the high-security facility.

While few consumers understand how a Smart Grid works, it has the potential to transform the way we generate energy. From the beginnings of energy-regulating grids to going open source, to getting hundreds of companies to work on refining it, this technology is growing in a way that promises to revolutionize our energy consumption. (Photo © Jean Schweitzer | Dreamstime.com)

The one question that comes up time and time again from homeowners is: “What steps can I can take to lower my home energy costs?” Here are some tips to help you look at your energy consumption and things you can easily change.

AURORA, CO — An exciting new solar panel factory is coming to Colorado! General Electric just announced plans to build its latest factory in Aurora. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

SAN JOSE, CA — San Jose’s Clean Energy Showcase displays solar, wind, and electric vehicle technologies to the public from a display across City Hall. Close to 6,000 people have toured the showcase since it opened in December of last year, including local schoolchildren, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and a group of Russian entrepreneurs. (Photo courtesy of the City of San Jose)