Turbines in the East River and garbage dump windmills aren't the only way to bring renewable electricity to New York City. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer continues his early mayoral campaigning today with a proposal [PDF] to cover our city's schools with solar panels. more ›

The sun has many uses, from giving us cool-looking cancer spots to frying those pesky ants beneath our magnifying glasses (plus Solar Hits!) But what if we harnessed it to give your ConEd bill a giant, phototropic finger? A solar map of New York City released today by CUNY reveals that 66 percent of the city's rooftops could be used to harness solar power, generating enough energy to fulfill half of the city's electricity needs at peak periods. Yes, but will it be enough to keep the juice flowing to the dozens of spaceheaters powering our illicit beef jerky drying operation (and those other LED lamps in the basement that are just there for decoration)? more ›

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, I really wish I could harness the power of the sun to reheat my leftovers today?" Yes? Great! Do we have an event for you: the Spring Energy Fair at the Union Square Greenmarket, in which teenagers will demonstrate their slightly dorky, but generally genius pizza-box solar ovens for all to see. more ›

First catpacks, and now solar garbage cans... what can't Park Slope deliver? According to FIPS, some "Big Belly solar powered garbage cans are going to be installed in various spots along Fifth Avenue. They are apparently each outfitted with a solar powered trash compactor, which reduces the need to empty them as much." more ›

It's raining, it's still February, and a car alarm has been bleating outside our windows forever. So let's just focus on this beautiful photo of the Wonder Wheel and remind ourselves that someday this winter's gonna end, and the Coney Island amusement district will be functioning on some level. There's a news peg, too: The Wonder Wheel (which became our favorite ride after realizing that the Cyclone can really mess you up) is going green! more ›

It's been a couple months since we last checked in on the Waterpod, "a sustainable, sculptural art and technology habitat, with 4 artists living on and off it, generating food, water, and power in a contained and self-sufficient environment." The floating experiment is currently in Brooklyn Heights, so if you're nearby check it out on Pier 5 (where it will be docked through August 17th). Visitors are welcome Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. While on the shore, you can track the Pod here. more ›

Forget hipsters taking over houseboats in the Bronx, it's finally time for 30-year-old artist Mary Mattingly's Waterpod to set sail. Her new abode is currently afloat inside the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where she's renovating the 30-by-100-foot barge that soon enough will house four total. more ›