Close to half a year ago, we reported on the first entirely flash-based search engine. If the techno-jargon “flash-based” doesn’t really mean much to you, you’re probably a normal person. Anyway, the most obvious features of a flash-based search machine are the stunning graphics, the speed, and the fact that – browser wise – you’re staying on the same exact URL the whole time.

Though, for GreenPlanetSearch, founded by Michael Haney, the point is the energy saved. Being flash-based allows it to be entirely solar-powered. Thermodynamically speaking, GreenPlanetSearch takes heat and light from the sun, that would otherwise continue global warming, and transforms it into electrical energy. Solar-powered alts then, may actually contribute to fixing global warming not only by avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, but by transforming heat into usable power. Take a look at what this thing looks like:

They offer a two-pronged approach: Eco & Educational. Unlike other search engines, the results are personally vetted to make sure they are truly eco-friendly. Once the custom-built “spider” is launched, thousands of new sites will be added each day – providing a reliable spectrum of sustainable / eco-products and socially-responsible initiatives. Switch to the educational engine and you find over 1200 lesson plans ranging from acid rain to ocean health.

Here’s something a search for solar power led me to.

Sponsors are expected to take advantage of the dramatic, full-screen ads they can place behind the translucent search results. Type in the key words “wind power” into the eco-search box and your results actually appear on top of an ad for a local manufacturer of wind turbines or a national brand of solar panels. “Nobody does it that way,” Haney said. “Keyword advertising has just been revolutionized.” Similar full-screen displays will also appear behind related articles and video content, providing highly-targeted messaging unlike anything in the advertising world.

The only disadvantage, which hopefully the team will get to fixing, is that going “back” on the site is a bit complicated, since surfing though Flash doesn’t change your URL. So every time you want to go back you have to start from the beginning, or you’ll find yourself at the last website you were at if you push the back button. If there is a way to go back and I missed it, please let me know by leaving a comment!

Michael Haney adds:

Hi every one, There is back navigation on the site. When you click one of the pictures on the home page it will go to to a subcategory page, at the top right of the subcategory menu a button will appear that says” Back to Main ” and also next to it will tell you which section you are in, after you have chosen a subcategory menu item you will be taken to that specific content, at the same place on the right on top of the content you will see the buttons “back to Main” the subcategory you just came from and the page you are on. so click away and have fun.