Solar-Powered Christmas Tree Lots Shine Bright In California

To help demonstrate the versatility of solar power, even during the colder months, an energy company in California is lending their technology to help light up the night while people shop for their Christmas trees.

Stellar Solar, based in Carlsbad, is providing a Mobile Solar Station to power three San Diego Purdy Farms Christmas Tree lots.

The Mobile Solar Station will power the CFL lights on the perimeter of the lot as well as the electric chain saws used to trim trees for customers.

It’s the first known occurance of a Christmas tree lot that’s completely powered by solar energy, and definitely the first in San Diego.

Traditional holiday light strings can add over $55 dollars to your monthly utility bill. While LEDs are more efficient, they still depend on costly electricity to produce their festive glow.

Get a first hand look at the mobile solar station below!

[Source: Gizmag]

Image Credit: Flickr - daveparker

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Danuta W.

2:09AM PST on Dec 24, 2010

Thanks

send a green star

Sundeep S.

11:49PM PST on Dec 22, 2010

good idea

Cindy M.

6:27PM PST on Dec 17, 2010

I love Christmas trees

Christopher G.

2:26PM PST on Dec 17, 2010

There is something wrong with this picture - the cause is "global warming", but you are promoting the murder of tens of thousands of trees! Instead of taking a life, give a life and preserve our environment by purchasing a potted tree.

Gita S.

10:23PM PST on Dec 15, 2010

Solar power......endless resource for innovative ideas, thanks for the article.

Susan S.

6:12PM PST on Dec 15, 2010

I like the idea of renting a Christmas tree that can be planted after Christmas. Maybe some day solar Christmas lights will be invented as well.

Robert O.

11:29AM PST on Dec 15, 2010

Very nice!

Stacey R.

10:12AM PST on Dec 15, 2010

i think this is wonderful

Claudia M.

6:30AM PST on Dec 15, 2010

Great! That's what everybody should be working at, taking advantage in any way, big or small, of solar power.

Elle E.

2:55AM PST on Dec 15, 2010

For over 30 years we have bought a new tree of some kind in a pot and then planted it out somewhere afterwards. Sometimes it's been a type of fruit tree or a tree that feeds nectar seeking birds or some other native tree.

I've always grown all my trees from seed so it kind of hurts to pay what is asked for a larger advanced tree which is why we try to make it something that supplies us with food and preferably something that isn't easily grown from seed.

Some of the native Australian shrubs make great Chrissy trees and are instant windbreaks when planted out.