Rooftop solar shingles; Solar-Powered Footbridge; Soros Throws $1B into Cleantech; California to Charge Fee for Emissions; Free Broadband Help Cut Energy Consumption?

Solar panels look like ordinary rooftop shingles Dow Solar Solutions figured out a way to make solar panels look just like regular roofing shingles. Dow is launching these Powerhouse Solar Shingles next year, claiming they’ll be 30 to 40% cheaper than other solar panels that look like roofing tiles. The company said the shingles will be more than 10% efficient, but cost around 15% less on a per-watt basis.

World’s Largest Solar-Powered Footbridge Opens in Brisbane The world’s largest solar powered footbridge was opened to the public in Brisbane’s Central Business District which features a sophisticated LED lighting scheme that is powered by the sun and can produce a number of different lighting effects.

Soros Throws $1B into Cleantech Influential investor George Soros is a big believer in the future of clean tech and energy efficiency – so much so that he has decided to invest $1 billion into the sectors.

California to Charge Fee for Emissions Beginning late next year, California pollution regulators will charge companies for emitting greenhouse gases. The statewide fee — believed to be the first in the country — will help California pay for the monitoring and regulation of its carbon emissions required by its climate change law. Fantastic!

Can Free Broadband Help Cut Energy Consumption? Offer digital rewards — free broadband access, digital goods, or web services — for consumers and organizations that reduce their energy consumption.