The sun-powered skimmer floats on the surface of a pool and sweeps up leaves and debris; it can even chlorinate as it cleans. Version 2.0 of the Solar Breeze has improved solar panels - they have three times the energy output of the original Solar Breeze's panels - and a longer-life motor.
In 2008, the Arizona Republic named the device a "Top 5 Innovative Product" from the state of Arizona. The latest iteration of the Solar Breeze is actually assembled in Florida - another state with a preponderance of backyard pools.
While the device is still pricey at $499, its creators - Arizona entrepreneurs Terry Maaske and Dennis Ruzsa - say it will help cut a pool's energy consumption by two-thirds. The average pool pump consumes 1,500 kilowatt-hours of energy each year - about 15 percent of the average home's electricity use. The Solar Breeze may be analogous to a solar photovoltaic installation: With both, it appears that an upfront investment can result in significant savings down the road.
