There’s been talk lately about how much energy computer screens use to show web pages with predominately white backgrounds. Google’s search page has been pointed to as using too much energy. These reports even prompted one site, called Blackle, to launch. It uses Google’s custom search engine but has, you guessed it, a black background.
Now, Google’s green energy czar, Bill Weihl, says on flat-panel monitors (already estimated to be 75 percent of the market), displaying black may actually increase energy usage. He points to research from techlogg.com.