The Volvo Concept Coupe

Have you ever felt a tad restricted by the options list when choosing a new car?

Then check out Vauxhall’s new ADAM – the urban chic supermini that can be personalised in over a million different ways.Rather than going retro, the three-door, four seater ADAM instead uses fresh contemporary bold styling, that Vauxhall claims ‘defies convention’.Penned by Brit designer Mark Adams’ team in Europe, ADAM incorporates a ‘floating’ roof which is visually disconnected from the body, making the use of two-tone colour schemes.

Sharp looks utilise existing Vauxhall design cues from the new Astra GTC and it boasts being the first car in its class to have the option of LED daytime running lights.Available in three trims from launch – JAM (fashionable/colourful), GLAM (elegant/sophisticated) and SLAM (racy/sporty) – ADAM customers can effectively ‘design’ their own car.There are almost unlimited visual combinations, with a wide variety of exterior colours – including two different roof colours - interior colours, equipment and materials.

Customers can even choose their headlining, including an LED-lit starlight roof trim.Round, mechanical clock-style instruments with chrome bezels mark a departure from those seen in other Vauxhalls, while ADAM customers can also opt for a heated steering wheel.How are solar outdoor lighting products different from other lighting, like fluorescent or incandescent?On the dashboard can be found a seven-inch touch screen, incorporating a new high-spec infotainment system, designed to support new media sources, including Bluetooth, as well as connectivity for smartphones, enabling access to internet-based applications and GPS navigation.

The ADAM comes with a choice of three efficient ecoFLEX four-cylinder petrol engines: a 1.2-litre 70PS, plus two 1.4-litre engines with either 87PS or 100PS.All are available with optional Start/Stop technology and will be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. This will be followed by a new-generation small petrol engine, featuring direct injection and forced induction.

According to Vauxhall, ADAM will break new ground in the supermini class, by offering technology normally only found in higher-end cars.Being well suited to towns thanks to its compact dimensions, ADAM can also be customised to take the chore of parking out of your hands – literally! With the Advanced Park Assist II system, drivers engage the system with a button on the dashboard and it tells them when they reach a parking space large enough to accommodate the car.

The system then automatically steers them into the parking space, using ultrasonic sensors to work its magic.Although small, measuring just 3.7 metres in length and 1.72 metres in width – ADAM is a tough cookie - thanks to a high-strength ultra-rigid passenger cell, complimented by front, side and head curtain airbags, as well as dual seat belt pre-tensioners for front occupants which offer additional knee and leg protection.The firm’s latest generation ESP system will help to keep ADAM on the straight and narrow,Shop funtional and elegant solar lights, outdoor solar lighting, solar garden lights, path lights and decorative solar lights. too.Soli-lite provides the world with high-performance solar roadway and solar street lighting solutions.As with all Vauxhalls, ADAM comes with Lifetime Warranty, which covers first owners for the lifetime of the car, or up to 100,000 miles.

Volvo is testing the idea of a modern take on the brand's iconic P1800 coupe of the 1960s.

The Volvo Concept Coupe is modern and angular, but has the low-slung look that could, indeed, resonate with folks old enough to recall the P1800, and those who've come late to its appeal but are infatuated nonetheless.

Volvo says the car is the first of a series of three concept cars that are harbingers of the next Volvos.

It is the first design by Volvo's new Senior Vice President of Design, Thomas Ingenlath. He says, "The Volvo Concept Coupe is no futuristic dream car. It is designed to demonstrate the capability of our new architecture: the confident stance, the proportions and the most prominent design signatures. Even though the all-new XC90 is an entirely different type of car, you will recognize the connection instantly when it is revealed next year."

It is based on what the car company calls Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which the automaker says was "developed in-house for Volvo Cars only," and -- taking a slap at former owner Ford Motor -- "liberates Volvo's designers and engineers from the limitations of previous cross-brand platforms."

Signature touches include a handcrafted crystal shift lever and a big touchscreen in the center of the dashboard, much like Telsa uses.

Read the full story at www.soli-lite.com!

Most of the council members

The Midlothian City Council held its first of two public hearings to approve the 2013-2014 tax rate Tuesday, Aug. 27.How solar panel cells work and where to buy solar kits for home use. The council's next public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 at city hall.

City Manager Don Hastings gave a quick overview of the council's direction in previous budget workshops on the rollback tax rate, noting that the average home value (of $153,876 per Ellis Central Appraisal District) would see a $13 per year increase in tax. Councilman T.J. Henley pointed out that this comes out to $1.08 per month for most city residents.

Hastings recommended a potential use of the rollback tax revenue, $173,225, plus $350,000 from road impact fees for 14th Street to partially fund the Walnut Grove rehabilitation and right-of-way acquisition for the future 14th Street extension's southern leg from Ashford Lane to McAlpin Lane. The remaining cost to complete these two projects would be $376,775.

“We can acquire the right-of-way now and take care of this now, so when we are able to begin construction, we will have it in hand,” Hastings said,We turn your dark into light courtesy of our brilliant sun, solar street light, solar power generation. adding that as development continues in this southern area, acquiring the right-of-way now would ensure the city could set it aside for 14th Street.

The council had previously discussed drawing from its reserve fund balance, currently at 190 days of operating cost, down to 180 days. City staff noted that the reserve fund doesn't need to be any higher than 180 days. Council member Jimmie McClure brought this up again and suggested pulling the remaining $376,775 from fund balance.

Henley noted that the $350,000 is the current total in the 14th Street impact fees fund, which accrues over time. He said by the time the council expends reserve funds to cover the difference, the impact fee fund will be higher than $350,000.

City staff also estimated it would take two and a half to three years to fully complete the 14th Street extension from Mt. Zion to McAlpin.

Mayor Pro Tem Joe Frizzell said that he was for approving the rollback tax rate, despite its strain on senior citizens who are typically on a fixed income, as long as it is used solely for this purpose.

“This will be used for road improvements and may lightning strike anyone who uses it for anything else,A solar lamp is a portable light fixture composed of an LED lamp, a photovoltaic solar panel, and a rechargeable battery.” Frizzell said.

The council directed city staff to present these figures at the next public hearing when the council will vote to set the tax rate.

In other action, the council voted to decline a right-of-way encroachment for additional parking spaces at Jimmy's Pizza, Pasta and Subs adjacent to 8th Street.

Before its vote, the council further discussed options to allow 10 head-in parking spaces or five parallel spaces, looking at how much space between 8th Street and these spaces would remain for a sidewalk and/or landscaping. City staff presented illustrations of these options and the council discussed these issues briefly before choosing to deny the request.

Most of the council members agreed that this issue stemmed from the longstanding dispute between the Jimmy's property owner and neighboring business owner about sharing parking. The council instead directed staff to present options of using the city's right-of-way space for a sidewalk and landscaping.

The council also held the second of two public hearings to finalize the technical annexation of four tracts totaling about 43 acres that were listed as outside the city's boundaries by mistake. The council voted to approve the annexations.

Read the full story at www.hmhid.com!

The focus of the ongoing

eaction in the United States to the recent EU-China solar trade conflict resolution is ranging from dissatisfaction, with what is perceived to be restrained sanctions on Chinese exporters, to satisfaction that both parties in the deal were willing to negotiate a mutual agreement.

The focus of the ongoing U.S.-China solar conflict has moved from Chinese cells to U.S. polysilicon, and hopes are for a final settlement of the dispute on the heels of the EU resolution.
In the meantime, there has already been a marked upstream impact from the ongoing U.S.-China dispute on the U.S. polysilicon industry, and there also is concern that Chinese panel exporters, now blocked from the sale of cheaper products in Europe, will focus more intensely on the U.S. market.
"We don’t believe that the U.S. solution (the U.S. Commerce Department's anti-dumping and countervailing duties) to the problem addresses the situation here; it has been helpful, but the solution is not adequate,” says Ben Santarris, the U.S. spokesman for SolarWorld, based in Hillsboro, Oregon. While the duties may have relieved some financial pressure on SolarWorld, the company has laid off 350 employees over the last 18 months.
More positive reaction to the EU-China solar settlement came from John Smirnow, the Solar Energy Industry Association’s (SEIA) vice president of trade and competitiveness, in Washington, D.C: "The positive aspect of the EU-China settlement is that it was a negotiated settlement, an important signal for the ongoing U.S.-China dialog. Since our conflict began, this is the best opportunity we’ve seen to find a resolution, so we are now working to resolve the conflict," he says.We turn your dark into light courtesy of our brilliant sun, solar street light, solar power generation. Nonetheless, "The Commerce orders are not really benefiting U.S. solar consumers or U.S. cell makers, but it is helping third-country cell manufacturers," says Smirnow.
In October 2012, the Commerce Department announced final additive anti-dumping and countervailing duties for crystalline-silicon PV cells from China, whether or not they are incorporated into panels. The anti-dumping rates range from 7.78% to 21.19% for Chinese company respondents that participated in the investigation and 239.42% for non-participants. Added to these are the countervailing duty rates, which apply from 14.78% to 15.97%. The duties are permanent until lifted.
No jobs have been lost as a result of the duties, says Smirnow. But harsh international competition would have led to further U.S. solar cell and panel-maker bankruptcies; some 8,200 manufacturing jobs were lost in 2012. Since the application of cell duties, China's counter-strike against U.S.-made polysilicon has most squarely hit the Hemlock Semiconductor Group, of Hemlock, Michigan, which as recently as May laid off more employees; the count is now 150 employees in Michigan and 300 in Tennessee, where it froze construction of its new plant; overall planned capacity upgrades would have been worth an estimated $3.2 billion. China has set a duty on imports of U.S.A solar lamp is a portable light fixture composed of an LED lamp, a photovoltaic solar panel, and a rechargeable battery. polysilicon from Hemlock at over 53%; other manufacturer's duties go up to 57%.
The downstream impact of the EU-China settlement is less tangible thus far. Still, a surge in new U.S. solar panel installations has taken place since the U.S. market price for panels -- now largely coming from Taiwan -- has only risen about 10% from the low established by Chinese imports prior to the Commerce Department duties, according to Dan Ries, an analyst at Maxim Group in New York. So if Chinese imports drove down the cost of panels available in the United States by 60% before the duties, there has still been a net price drop of 50%.An emergency light is a battery-backed lighting device that comes on automatically when a building experiences a power outage.
PricewaterhouseCoopers also notes that despite the warnings of potential U.S.How solar panel cells work and where to buy solar kits for home use. job losses (up to 60,000) in the downstream sector that might result from the Commerce Department duties, the losses did not occur; instead solar demand continues to increase and drive job growth. The Solar Foundation's Solar Job Census 2012, in November, indicated that "there are more than 119,000 solar workers in the U.S., a 13.2% increase over employment totals in 2011." The foundation also noted that, "According to our census, 31% of employers indicated that component price declines were the greatest driver of company growth." And SEIA reported that in the U.S. market, "723 MW of photovoltaic capacity were installed in the first quarter of 2013, which represents a 33% increase in deployment levels over first-quarter 2012." Huge collection of solar outdoor light and garden lighting fixtures.
Click on their website www.soli-lite.com for more information.

Mitsubishi's new supermini is cosmic on fuel

MITSUBLISHI have taken a huge gamble with their replacement for the much-loved Colt.Instead of designing a model that will make a bold statement the Japanese car giant opted instead to simply give the customer what they want.So, just what is that magic ingredient punters crave?There is three in fact; fuel economy, space, reliability – and all tied together with a reasonable price tag.But more about that later.We offer solar photovoltaic system and commercial incentives to encourage our customers to install solar energy systems.Now, looks-wise the all-new Space Star is not going to blow your socks off and could be described at worst as bland and best as, well ... bland.

Designers have obviously steered clear of the retro look that worked so well for Fiat (500) and MINI probably because they don't have an iconic model to rework.The safe, almost generic lines mimics those of other Japanese marques and one could easily confuse the front with that of a Nissan Micra and the rear with the Toyota Aygo.Open the door and things begin to improve.Climb on-board and the space (hence the name) begins to manifest itself.For a little car the head, leg and elbow room is remarkable even in the rear pews where most adults will struggle with longer limbs.In the boot there is a decent 235 litres of luggage space but they could have pushed that a little more considering the absence of a spare wheel.

There's decent level of standard equipment on the two trims.The entry level Invite comes with Daytime running lights, air con, rear spoiler, electric front windows, electric mirrors, keyless entry,A solar lamp is a portable light fixture composed of an LED lamp, a photovoltaic solar panel, and a rechargeable battery. stability control and USB connectivity.Opt for the Intense spec ($3,000 more) and you get the bigger 1.2 litre engine, alloys, Bluetooth front fog lights and leather steering.But less (weight) is more with the Space Star thanks to the use of high-tensile steel, the little imp tips the scales at an astonishing 845kgs.Couple that with two new light-weight 3-cylinder engines returning an eye-watering 70mpg and you've pretty much cracked it.

They are ultra green too as the 1.0 litre has CO2 emissions of just 92g/km while the bigger 1.2 litre has a count of 100g/km – meaning the third lowest road tax of $180.We tested the bigger engine with the peppy 80bhp powerplant which proved perfect for a mix of motorway and city driving.The engine is naturally high revving and at first sounds a little gruff but soon settles down as you familiarise yourself.

In fact, as the week-long test wore on one became mesmerised with the colour coded eco read out flashing beside the speedo.Setting a challenge to stay in the green a slight lift on the accelerator made all difference – especially when the reserve fuel light came on.We averaged 52mpg, clocking up 450kms on a 35 litre tank which in any man's currency is mega.With figures like that, I think that gamble has well and truly paid off.

All in all the new Space Star is an excellent all-rounder and ticking all the right boxes especially for beginners, empty nesters and city dwellers.The only fault I could find was the location of the phone controls which were below the steering to the right instead of on the steering wheel which was filled with a blank panel.Still though, an awkwardly fitted Bluetooth is better than none.Another huge bonus is the unrivalled 8-year/150,000km warranty which comes with the car not the owner.I'm not sure how led downlight fit into that equation if they are left on. Prices start at $11,995.

Read the full story at www.soli-lite.com!

Progress Solar Powered Light Towers

The President stated that the government is open to all ideas to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. It is estimated that the Federal Government routinely operates thousands to tens of thousands of diesel light towers for lighting night-time operations worldwide. 

The Progress Solar Light Tower benefits include 1) elimination of noise, carbon emissions and toxic fumes from work-sites improving the environment; 2) energy security by eliminating dependence on fossil fuels; 3) a significant reduction in total life cost since the solar/wind light towers run 100% off free renewable energy and eliminates routine diesel engine maintenance; and 4) improves labor efficiency by eliminating fuel and maintenance trips as well as daily trips to manually turn the lights on/off.This High Quality Street lighting provides reliability and low power consumption, as well as extremely bright lighting effects.The Progress solar and wind powered light towers resemble traditional portable diesel light tower but are powered 100% by free, renewable energy to meet those challenging needs. 

The Progress Solar/Wind (TM) SLT(W)1200 series of portable light towers is the most powerful available today. They are made in the U.S. (patent pending) and routinely operate independent of diesel, gas or the electric grid eliminating the use of fossil fuels or generation of carbon emissions. The solar light towers are powered by two on-board, high capacity solar generators and a wind generator, backed up by a rapid AC charger, if ever needed. These units are designed for demanding applications that need to be operational for lighting-on-demand year round for long periods of time. The large battery banks store power for several nights of lighting (up to a 60 hour reserve) to allow use during cloudy days or inclement weather. 

The Progress Solar Light Tower is a rugged, mobile light system that provides high-intensity, bright white lighting on-demand,Energy efficient High Quality Solar street lighting strip kits bring an urban glow to your bar that looks incredible. where and when you need it. It is equipped with automated solar wings that can be optimally positioned toward the sun to maximize solar energy gain combined with a wind generator to add additional wind power at night and during inclement weather, a telescoping mast equipped with 4 solid-state LED flood lights with high lumen output; and a long-life Power Module with sealed, AGM, no maintenance, deep-cycle batteries to store energy for use when needed. 

The light tower is fully adjustable from 12-30ft in height, able to tilt up/down and the mast can be rotated as needed. The solid-state LED flood lights provide a tremendous amount of bright white light,Use our High Quality Solar systems products to replace traditional halogen and incandescent spot lights in track lighting. minimize power requirements, provide instant-on/off without flickering, are extremely reliable, vibration and shatter resistant, and designed to provide up to 5x-10x longer run time between bulb changes than high-intensity discharge lights. The maximum power point tracking solar/light control module optimizes solar gain and protects the system from over/under charging. The lights can be turned on/off automatically from a timer, at user-programmable time intervals or manually on-demand. The system is on a portable trailer customized for maximum functionality and convenience and can be easily towed to its destination.

CDP proposes design makeover of Bada Danda

Mention Puri and the sight that it evokes is that of a sea of humanity on Grand Road during Rath Yatra. Rest of the time, the road is a picture of chaos and congestion. The first Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) prepared by Ahmedababd-based Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT) for Puri-Konark has called for a special plan to de-congest “Bada Danda” which is considered one of India’s widest streets.

The road, according to the plan, has potential to emerge as an inviting street for tourists and pilgrims if value addition in terms of street furniture, green areas and segregated hawking zones without affecting traffic can be developed.

The CDP has proposed design interventions which will not only make Grand Road an attractive street for visitors but also for the local business community having taken into account requirements of the road during Rath Yatra. The Rs 20.50-crore plan reveals that road resurfacing and side-drain cleanings need to be carried out along with walkway.

The proposal also looks at creating space for kiosks, parking facilities, street lights, restoration and revitalisation of heritage buildings, mathas and demolition of unsafe buildings.

The Grand Road, as per the CDP, is currently choked because of a host of reasons including multiple intersections, convergence of narrow roads, non-segregation of traffic, absence of dedicated parking space, high encroachment by the hawkers. The epicentre of all activities in Puri town, it is dotted with a number of dharmashalas, hospitals and clinics, shops and vegetable markets.

Since Rath Yatra is most significant factor when it comes to all kinds of planning, the CDP suggests that the proposed street furniture such as kiosks, streetlights and planters should be located beyond 30-metre carriageway which is maintained along the 2.1-km road from Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple. The carriageway has been calculated basing on the total width of the three chariots which is measured at 20 metres.

“Any street furniture in concrete both pre-cast and in-situ should be avoided. These elements would be integral for beautification of Grand road and can be removed during Rath Yatra. The beautification and formalisation of the activities and uses of Grand Road is essential to create a sense of entry to Jagannath temple,” the document says.

The proposed landscape and street furniture could be bolted to the road surface.  The CDP reveals that there would be no level difference between the carriageway and footpaths on the road since it may cause obstacle during Rath Yatra leading to accident or stampede.

The carriageway and footpath would be visually segregated by difference in materials. Grand Road would not have any physical divider but will have only markings to designate the division of carriageway.

Regulation of hawker zone and driving lanes for segregation of traffic have also proposed in the CDP which says vending permission should be granted only for religious or tourism related artifacts, while fruits and vegetable vendors must be relocated.

Elemental LED

Elemental LED, a leading LED lighting company, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive North American distribution agreement with HALO, the maker of the LED fiber optic sport belt, messenger bag and strip.

The HALO sport belt is designed to make outdoor activities safer by addressing visibility without compromising convenience and style. HALO products address the tremendous market growth in all demographics regarding fitness and outdoor activity. Walking, jogging and biking remain the most popular physical activities today. In 2012, Outdoor Foundation reported outdoor recreation reached the highest participation level in the past five years. In 2011, outdoor participants made 11.5 billion outings. That is 1.4 billion more outings than 2010.

“Previous visibility safety products and clothing are bulky, inconvenient and not all that effective,” said Elemental LED Director of Marketing Jim Puchbauer. “The HALO belt is convenient, lightweight, super bright and just plain cool. It’s a product that you want to be seen in, and isn’t that the whole idea of visibility safety gear?”

The partnership with Elemental LED promises to provide HALO with a wider customer reach. Elemental LED has established itself as a leading provider of next generation LED lighting solutions. The company’s overall sales growth and corporate expansion over the past several years provides a foundation for the robust and focused marketing, sales, customer service and shipping support that can transform HALO into an internationally recognized brand.

“We are very excited about the new partnership with Elemental LED. We look forward to accelerating the market distribution of this great product and setting the stage for future product introductions across all of North America,” said HALO Partner Morgan Combes.

Patented as the world’s first LED technology based visibility belt, HALO combines LED and fiber optic technology to create a lightweight band of bright, 360 degree illumination. The patented LED system uses cutting-edge thermoplastic polyurethane fiber optics never seen before in a garment the size of an everyday belt. Nestled inside the latch of the belt are two nickel lithium batteries that last up to 75 non-consecutive hours. The HALO belt includes three settings, solid, strobe and flashing, and is available in four light color options.

“HALO’s success has been astounding from the beginning. We spent a year perfecting the design and functionality of the HALO belt, and in the first six months following the release we experienced significant market buzz and customer adoption,” said HALO Founder Vincent Ng.

HALO has received a significant amount of attention already, including stories by Fast Company, CNET, Wired Magazine and Men’s Journal, all primarily focusing on the HALO belt’s success in filling a niche for the cycling community: The HALO belt doubles as a bike light while riding and an ordinary fashionable belt. By signing an exclusive rights deal with HALO, Elemental LED is committed to opening up new markets for the product, which has universal appeal across child and adult safety clothing in all outdoor activities.