Altralto

This little robot is perfect for a budding nature-lover scientist’s birthday or as a Christmas present. Requiring no battery, this educational kit has 21 parts that can be snapped together to form an airboat, a windmill, a puppy and two different planes, which can all move thanks to a small solar-powered motor. Available for about $15.

solar powered robot

2. SimpleTech [re]drive by Hitachi

This energy efficient 500GB Turbo USB 2.0 external hard-drive uses less power than a regular drive and is made with renewable materials (naturally grown bamboo and recyclable aluminum). The bamboo’s natural cooling quality replaces the need for a fan, thus reducing the amount of energy used. It is PC and MAC compatible, automatically switches on and off with your computer, and comes with an Energy Star power adapter. It also includes award-winning Fabrik back-up software. Available for about $85.

Hitachi Simpletech Redrive

3. Crank-powered Rechargeable Batteries by Yanko Design

Most of us already know the crank-powered flashlight or radio. Now rechargeable batteries can be cranked-up back to life, too. These innovative batteries are comprised of the cell (the battery itself) and a capsule with a small built-in hand-crank. Five minutes of winding up will restore 45% of the battery juice (an indicator light shows the level of charge). Not currently available for AA batteries.

Wind Up

4. Solar Clock by Suck UK

Well before clocks as we know them existed, people used sundials. This solar clock too uses the sun to give the time, but it will work at night and during a power outage as well. Sleek, modern-looking and battery-free, it comes with two sets of hands, a short one for free standing, and a long one for wall-mounting. Four different positions possible as the clock can be upright or on its sides. Excellent for a gift or for yourself. Available for about $35.

Solar Clock

5. The ‘Ecobutton’ by Brite Ideas Global Ltd

This smart little button is an award-winning retro-fit computer power saving device that selects the lowest power saving mode available while you are away from your screen and keyboard. It sits next to your keyboard, connected to your computer via a USB cable. (MAC users will have to wait a bit longer for a MAC version). Simply press it and your computer goes into “eco-mode”, i.e. the most energy-efficient saving mode available, while you take a break, talk on the phone, go for lunch etc. Come back later and press it again: all your data is restored faster than when in sleep mode, and you can resume what you were previously doing. No data lost, no electricity wasted, carbon footprint reduced. It also displays how much energy and money you have saved by using it. Available for about $20.

Eco Button