Globetrotters, trendsetters and even champions for a cause. Sometimes, we can’t help but be enthralled by celebrities, and recently many of them have been making changes we should all pay close attention to.Famous names accross the board have picked up on the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells, and are using the technology in their cars and in their homes. Check out Ecorazzi.com for all green celebrity info, but here are a few of note:

• Actor George Clooney has signed on as an executive board member, and the public face, of a new Swiss energy company that will develop fuel cells for vehicles.  The company is being formed by the CEO of watchmaker company, Swatch Group.
• Will Ferrell, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Jay Leno and others all have had their stint with the  BMW Hydrogen 7-series.
• Singer-songwriter and environmentalist Tracy Lyons’ autumn concert tour featured an off-grid powered stage that used biodiesel and a hydrogen fuel cell.  Lyons’  vision for the tour was to draw attention to global warming, alternative and clean energy solutions and the negative health effects of pollution.
• The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), a project of former President Bill Clinton, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with fuel cell developer UTC Power, and fuel cell storage system developer Dynatek Industries, as official suppliers in the group’s effort to help commercialize fuel cell buses.� CCI is forming a purchasing consortium for volume sales that will help cities buy energy efficient technologies at lower prices.
• Jamie Lee Curtis and filmmaker husband Christopher Guest, actress Laura Harris, film producer Ron Yerxa, as well as businessmen Jon Spallino and Jim Salomon were all among the first customers of Honda’s FCX Clarity.

And most recently, Johnny Depp has decided to power his 35-acre Carribbean Island home with a grid-independent solar fuel cell system developed by Mike Strizki.  As Ecorazzi reports, “the cost is expected to run between $250,000-$500,000.”

For a lot of celebrities (especially those with their own island), $500,000 is just a drop in a bucket, so perhaps seeing Depp and his new island digs will start a new trend we can all benefit from.  Fuel cells could become the new green status symbol.  Thanks Johnny!

For more information on residential fuel cell systems, check out a few of these great links:

In Japan, Home Sweet Fuel Cell Home - Earthtoys

Fuel Cells for Power Generation - US Fuel Cell Council

Fuel Cells 2000 library

Residential Fuel Cells Demonstration Handbook - NREL