Big Belly Solar Compactor

Minimizing trash, garbage pickup and carbon emissions are at the top of many peoples’ lists.  With the Big Belly solar compactor, trash is compacted without any grid connection required and allows for less frequent garbage pickup as a result.

It is ideal for municipalities, park districts and more!

According to its website:

“The BigBelly^® Solar Compactor is a patented compacting trash receptacle that is completely self-powered. Instead of requiring a grid connection, BigBelly uses solar power for 100% of its energy needs. The unit takes up as much space as the “footprint” of an ordinary receptacle—but its capacity is five times greater. Increased capacity reduces collection trips and can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. BigBelly also provides cost efficiencies from labor savings, fuel cost and maintenance savings, as well as environmental benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.”

When garbage trucks have to pick up less frequently, they don’t drive as often.  That is a huge savings in fuel and costs overall.  By using solar power to compact the trash, the energy that is already shining down on the garbage bins help save carbon emissions even further.  Ordinary household trash compactors use grid-based electricity.  These trash bins, however, are powered entirely with clean solar power.

Across the U.S., the Big Belly solar compactor has already helped reduce costs for cities, parks, and even colleges.  Even when the sun is not shining brightly, UV light continues to power Big Belly.  As an added bonus, bugs and other pests are kept at bay.  When the garbage reaches a pre-determined level, a sensor is triggered to compact the trash.  Lights (red, yellow or green) signal when pickup is necessary.

Here in green Oregon, a businessman in Portland is testing the Big Belly solar compactor by purchasing and then donating two of them to the City of Portland – after seeing them in Boston.  Yes – the compactors even work in the rain!

What will they think of next?  Love these solar powered inventions for the greater, greener good!

Low-cost solar panels are available!

What if you could install solar panels on your home for only $1000?  What if I told you that a solar lease program in Colorado will allow you to do just that?  Within 30 days, you could be drawing on free solar electricity through the Colorado SunRun Lease Program!

High electricity bills and CO2 emissions from dirty coal-based energy could soon be a thing of the past.  For homeowners in Colorado, SunRun is offering a home solar system arrangement that allows customers to switch to clean solar power at a fixed, low rate.

Solar leases are becoming more common in states like California and Arizona, but they will soon be found around the globe.  Solar power companies are realizing that one of the biggest hurdles for property owners is the upfront cost to install solar panels.  By offering solar panel lease agreements, the initial investment is cut way down, and monthly lease payments are often a fraction of the original electricity bills.  Its easy to pay less for solar panels through a solar lease.

Sure, there are many low cost solar panel options out there – from solar kits to 100% DIY instructions.  But when you go through a company like SunRun, you’ll get professional installations, quality components and management/maintenance of the system.  In other words, peace of mind!

Colorado SunRun Solar Lease program

In Colorado, SunRun has partnered with REC Solar, Namaste Solar and Real Goods Solar to provide high quality solar installations.  How refreshing to know that solar is now a realistic option for those who would like clean energy, but who don’t want to deplete their savings, or learn about solar equipment to do so?

The Colorado SunRun program could be for you, if you’d like to simply have your solar panels installed and forget about them.  Maintenance, repair and even insurance is all covered under the contract.  In addition, you can still tap into the local solar incentives, including tax rebates.  Many solar installers help you with the paperwork.

SunRun is found in Colorado, Arizona and California.  However, as mentioned above, more and more solar corporations are starting to offer solar financing options like solar leases in other locales.

Stay tuned for more information.  If you’d like to know whether you can partner with a solar company to lease solar panels where you live, shoot me a question in the comments below and I’ll look up options for you!