Energy...

When it comes to new ideas in solar power, Reluminati's new PowerCube 600 wins hands down. This "plug and play" solar-powered generator offers a great alternative to traditional gas-powered generators. It can be used as a backup power source, during emergency situations, or for off-grid housing in places with no reliable access to other sources of electricity.

The PowerCube folds up into a tidy, watertight 72 x 124 x 50 inches, and when fully charged it can hold 2,400 hours of power. Not bad for what's billed as a portable device.

Since the PowerCube was announced a few weeks ago, the blogosphere has been a bit harsh -- offhandedly pointing out that a 2,000-pound device isn't exactly "portable." Well folks, it's not an iPod, but it's not meant to be. This isn't a new way to power your cell phone, it's a way to power a house or a business or a hospital. No other solution packs as much power, offers easy hook-up, and can be run without a team of installers permanently attaching it to a building.

The PowerCube packs a lot of power, and it comes with a hefty price tag as well: $25,000. But the more we see smart ideas like this, the more we'll see more affordable prices. And for businesses looking for a reliable, green backup power source, this could be the way to go.