On March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm something great will happen.. people all over the world will be turning off their lights for one hour!  With the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote, Vote Earth is a global call to action for every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet.  We will be sure to do our part at Earthtech Products and we hope you will participate in this great call to action too!

For more information visit: www.earthhour.org

So you have a shed or a garage outback with no electricity and have been procrastinating about having electricity run to it because of many different reason.  Let’s face it between it being a project in itself, running electricity to your shed or garage costs lots of money, adds to your electric bill.. and who wants to deal with a contractor anyway?

Well, with the new emerging solar techologies out there it’s now possible to have a nice functional situation for your shed or garage without the high costs for running electricity to it. 

So if its lighting inside your shed or garage that you’re looking for then consider a Solar Shed Light which provides light inside your shed or garage with the convenience of a pull string.  Basically the Solar Panel mount attaches to the outside and and the light gets mounted inside then walla your done!  You can get a Solar Shed Light for under $120 at EarthtechProducts.com.

If you are looking for some light on the outside of your shed or garage on those nights where you need to run out there for a tool or something then check out the variety of Solar Powered Security Motion Lights that range from $65 – $114 depending on the brightness that you are looking for.  These lights are triggered by motion and are completely solar so no maintenance is needed.  You simply mount the light in the location of your choice and mount the solar panel in the best location of sun light.  The solar panel comes with a nice length of cord so you have the ability to mount the panel in the right place.

If you need some power for running some tools, a radio, or charging other small electronic devices then you can take a look at the Solar Laptop Charger & Portable Power Kit 200 Watt. Despite it’s name Solar Laptop Charger Kit, It can actually do much more than that since it has a built in inverter that allows you to plug in any small 110 v appliance via the 110 v outlet.  This unit comes with a foldable solar panel and a power pack 200.  You can basically have the foldable panel outside and run the line from the solar panel inside your shed or garage and connect it to the power pack 200 and your all set.  what’s great about this set up is that it is portable so you can take with you camping, fishing, hunting, or anywhere else that you need remote power.  The Power Pack 200 comes with attached jumper cables and a 250 p.s.i. air compressor (those could be useful )

There are also great alternatives for venting your shed or garage with using Solar Shed Vents.  Whether you need exhausting or intake these solar vents really work great.  Prices for Solar Vents start at around $99.

So now you know that there are some great alternatives to running electricity to your shed or garage..  so what are you waiting for stop procrastinating!

See the Solar Shed Light

See Solar Security Lights

See the Solar Laptop Charger & Portable Power Kit 200 Watt

See Solar Vents & Solar Fans

The Vers 1.5 iPod Speaker & Alarm Radio:

So far the coolest & stylish looking iPod dock system I have seen.  Not only does the Vers 1.5 iPod Speaker & Alarm Radio come in various amazing finishes but it has many nice features such as a Precision digital AM/FM tuner, Energy efficient class D amplifier, 15 watt full range speaker, Dual alarm – AM/FM radio or iPod, and other great features.  So you ask “What is an Energy Efficient Class D Amplifier”?  The class D amplifier in Vers is 80% more efficient than other amplifiers, meaning it uses about half the power to produce the same sound and volume. Class D amplifiers generate less heat as a result.  Measuring in at 8.27″ (W) X 6.89″ (D) X 5.67″ (H), this nice compact iPod player makes a fasionable space saver.   Comes in the following finishes: Cherry, Natural Walnut, Dark Walnut, Bamboo, Black Gloss and White Gloss.  Definitely a nice gift for the holidays for the music buff.  :)

See this great iPod Dock Speaker & Alarm Radio at Earthtech Products for $199.00

When a home owner considers purchasing a solar panel system for their home there is usually some hesitation because of the high costs associated with having a solar panel system installed.  There are more affordable solutions such as starting small with a easy expandable grid tie solar panel kit system.   

Grid tie solar panels for the home generate energy from the sun and feed that electricity into your home, selling any excess back into the grid to offset your power bills. Grid tie solar panels for the home are the easiest renewable energy system to install, own and maintain. They have no moving parts, no regular service requirements and make no noise. Solar Grid Tie Solar Panel Kits come with everything you need to start generating your own energy; Solar Panel, mounting system, and built-in grid tie power inverter.

Everything with solar electric grid tie systems are plug and play, leaving lots of room for easy expansion. All you need is a 240 VAC power line run through a disconnect, then to the location where the panels are to be installed, and everything after that simply plugs in. If you ever want to add more power simply purchase additional kits, mount and simply plug them into your existing Solar Grid Tie Solar Panel Kit and your set to generate even more power.

If you are interested in starting a solar panel system for your home the Solar Grid Tie Residential Solar Panel Kit – SGT-160 at Earthtech Products is a great way to start. Whats cool about this grid tie solar panel kit is that it comes with everything you need to install it and has a inverter built-in to the panel.

See the Solar Grid Tie Residential Solar Panel Kit – SGT-160 at Earthtech Products..

The future of affordable, renewable residential energy is wind. You’ll be amazed by the wind power you can harness for your home or boat with the following wind generators and turbines. Wind is the future of tomorrow! Depending on the model, a small residential wind turbine with a rated capacity of 1.8 KW and a rotor of 12 feet has the ability to produce an estimated 400 KWh when the wind is breezing at a mere 12 mph. Wind generators and turbines are also designed to last, e.g. Southwest Wind provides estimates of 20 years on some of their products. Think of the favor you’ll be doing Mother Nature when you buy into wind!

The Air-X builds upon what has made AIR the world’s #1 selling small wind turbine. The new technology used in the Air-X was only previously found in mega-watt-class wind turbines.

The AIR-X is an ideal product for the person that needs a little power for basic appliances such as TV, radio and a few lights.

Our customers found this item to be most useful for applications such as alternate power for remote cabins, remote monitoring stations, telecommunication towers, and many more applications. The alternate power applications are endless. The AIR-X uses a new microprocessor based technology that results in an increase in performance, battery charging capability, and reliability. Additionally, “flutter” noise from the machine has been reduced.

The controller allows for peak-power tracking of the wind by optimizing the alternator’s output on all points of the cubic curve and efficiently delivers the energy to the battery. The turbine’s smart controller allows it to actually control blade rotation speed thus eliminating the buzzing noise commonly found with most small wind turbines.

See this Wind Turbine at Earthtech Products

Not only are LED holiday lights 10 times brighter than regular lights they are also energy efficient using 90% less energy. Unlike regular christmas lights which burn out easily or malfunction when one bulb is out, these LED lights will last more than 50,000 hours and will not be affected by any one malfunctioned bulb. More importantly LED Lights are cool to the touch and are safer. The smarter, safer and more energy efficient Christmas Light choice is clearly LED Lights.  So go ahead and dress that yard up without feeling eco-guilty

Multi-Color Strawberry LED Christmas Lights Sale Price: $27.89   Multi-Color Raspberry LED Christmas Lights  Sale Price: $27.89 Multi-Color Mini LED Christmas Lights  Sale Price: $23.89

See more LED Christmas Lights and Holiday Decorations at EarthtechProducts.com

      
The Motion-Activated 80 LED Solar Security Floodlight uses 80 super bright LED lights that provide maximum illumination for walkways, driveways, garages, sheds and more. It has adjustable PIR sensors that detect motion within 180 degrees and up to 35 feet away. Time duration can be set from 10 seconds to 1 minute. It also has an adjustable swivel head and sensor and 80 LEDs to light large spaces. The Solar Motion Light includes a 15 foot cable that allows the solar panel charging unit to remain outside, and still have the option to use the light indoors. Use the sun to save big. The Solar Security Light provides more than ample light without the cost of electricity, so it’s economical, green and pocket friendly. Deter robbers and unwanted trespassers. Take advantage of great illumination that performs better than conventional electric floodlights.

Price: $113.95

See this Super Bright Solar Motion-Activated 80 LED Security Floodlight at Earthtech Products

      Let’s face it, power outages do happen and will most probably happen more often then ever before due to our increased chances of hurricanes because of global warming.  There are ways to be prepared and have a little peace of mind through the use of alternate energy such as solar power and wind power.  Although grid system solar panel systems are the most powerful, since you can tailor fit a system that can handle powering everything from just the kitchen appliances to everything in your entire home, these systems range anywhere from $30,000 to 100,000.  This may not be the most economical and speedy way to be prepared for outages due to natural disasters since it is a costly installation and solar panel installations projects take time to design and build.  There are many more alternate ways to be prepared without all the excessive cost and wait.  Portable solar powered kits containing a portable / flexible solar panel and a portable back up battery pack which generates about 200 watts of power from it’s built in 12 amp-hour AGM battery and it’s convenient built-in 110 AC inverter that allows you to plug in 115 Volt appliance or device such as hand-held blenders, fans, computers, laptops, clock radios, and small power tools to emergency lights, TVs and radios. Earthtech Product’s 200 Watt Portable Solar Powered kit goes for about $318.95, has become the new way to be prepared, be independent and of course be GREEN! The convenience of the portability allows you to not only be the only one on the block with some power during a power outage but it also allows you to be mobile since this portable solar powered back up power kit weighs just under 13 lbs. and is totally portable.  

      If portability is not important to you, and you would like a bit more power, you can get a bit more bang for your buck by using a fixed type solar powered back up power system that is still a fraction of the cost of a complete solar panel home system.  This type of system starts with the battery storage source which in this case is the PowerHub 1800 which is a battery storage unit that holds 2 SEALED, lead-acid Gel-type 12Vdc, 100Ah batteries and houses a built-in 1800 Watt inverter that allows you to plug in and run any appliances ranging from a 18 cu. ft. refrigerator at 120 watts (runs for about 15 hours) to a 25 watt table lamp for 22 hours. (batteries are not included but can be purchased at any automotive supply store).   When you go the product page for the PowerHub 1800 you will see a tab called accessories where you can select from an array of solar panels to go along with your PowerHub 1800.  You can also find accessories such as an additional battery housing box called the PowerHub Battery Box which allows you to add 2 SEALED, lead-acid Gel-type 12Vdc, 100Ah batteries to your PowerHub 1800 giving you double the power!  The people at Earthtech Products understand that this type of technology is new to many and offer you, the consumer, a live person to speak to about which set up would best suit your needs.  So give them a call today at 877-LIVE-ETP (877-548-3387).

      Earthtech Products also has a great line of Crank Flashlights and Radios which provide the convenience of power with the crank of a handle. Take the Emergency Crank Radio with Weather Band for example which provides seven NOAA weather channels and of course any other available radio stations in your area to keep you informed about any important news or an emergency plan to evacuate from a dangerous situation ..  If you had one of these life saving radios, would you say to yourself at the moment after escaping to safety.. “thank goodness I had one of these?”… I would too.  How about a 12v Wind up Cell Phone & Device charger?  I bet you didn’t think that existed..  You could see how that would come in handy..

      So you see.. we all really need to be prepared for power outages and Earthtech Products has great inexpensive emergency back up power solutions.  So don’t wait for power outages to happen! Be prepared when they happen. 

How will we convince the mainstream? Step by step perhaps…

In a world in need of change, there are only those who have stood by conserving energy since the day the world has shown it’s tiring symtoms..  my partner and I had a thought one day..  A day dream…. to try to find consumer products that are interesting to the mainstream,  to get the guy or gal who is less interested in conserving energy to be more concerned with the environment.  Then came Earthtechproducts.com….a long laborous process but its now born.  And now Step two has begun,  a small step yet such a leap….  We were approched by Ecotalk.net to discuss a new product that we have, the Soldius1 iPod Charger with iPod tip & mobile phone solar battery charger kit and they were very attracted to it’s coolness.. and I was was very happy to have the chance to start spreading our vision… Take a listen to the radio interview with Ecotalk you’ll see what I mean…. 

Does anyone feel that there are any other products at earthtechproducts.com that can impact this movement?  Any new ideas?  We’d love your input…

I wanted to put together a resource for all of our readers on ways to save energy this winter. Simply follow the links below for easy steps to conserving energy and saving a little bit of money this winter. My favorite is Consumer Reports ”20 Free Ways to Save Energy” and it’s available for purchase on consumer reports website you can pick it up here.  

• 20 “FREE” Ways to Save Energy
• Heat Smartly with Energy Star
• Easy Ways to Save Energy