Panasonic, Samsung, Kia and other manufacturers are hailing the energy and resource efficiency of their offerings at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas, where green tech has again emerged as a strong product theme.

This year the sprawling expo touts itself as "the coolest" and "the greenest," claims that should be weighed against a couple of key points: Microsoft has announced its withdrawal from the tradeshow after this year, leading some to contend that CES is losing its luster. Also, it's tough for an event that promotes in-person tire-kicking of goods whose manufacture and purchase result in greater use of resources to be considered green -- as GreenBiz Managing Editor Matthew Wheeland and Earth2Tech Editor Katie Fehrenbacher have noted.

Such observations, however, don't appear to have dampened the enthusiasm of established and startup firms that make and sell home and business appliances, solution systems and cars that are designed to consume less energy, perform more efficiently and provide users with a smarter, more connected experience -- key components of a concept GreenBiz calls VERGE.

The vendors began talking about what they would be bringing to the show soon after the New Year.

Here are highlights of some of the announcements GreenBiz received:

Energy Solutions for Homes, Businesses and More

Panasonic and Samsung, which both have ambitious goals of becoming renown for their eco-friendly products and operations, are displaying an array of goods and systems.

Panasonic's "Smart Solutions" exhibit depicts the company's solar panels, fuel cells, lithium-ion storage battery systems for homes, energy management solutions and components for electric cars, along with home entertainment systems and gadgets.

Panasonic says it intends to become the No. 1 green innovation company in the electronics industry by the firm's 100th anniversary in 2018 and ultimately envisions its products as end-to-end solutions for entire towns. Panasonic is one of nine companies participating in the Fujisawa Smart Sustainable Town project, a smart city that's scheduled to open in March 2014.

Some of its business solutions, such as solar power systems scaled for commercial use and high efficiency digital signage, also are highlighted at CES. (The Infineon Raceway in Northern California prominently features five Panasonic solar arrays, a huge sign and tech center equipped with the company's media products.)

Samsung, which is aiming to become "one of the world's most environmentally friendly companies by 2013," is showing off a number of energy efficient appliances including three that CES recognized for eco design this year: An LCD panel, a front-loading washer that also is smart-grid ready and an over-the-range microwave oven.

Other smart-grid ready devices and equipment on display include an EV charging stand for homes, an energy storage system, an energy efficient refrigerator, smart TVs and smart phones.

The goods represent the product component of Samsung's sustainability strategy, which the company calls Planet First. The 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index named Samsung the most sustainable tech company.

Wireless Glue Networks is introducing a device at CES called the SmartLook (pictured below) that displays energy information from a home's smart meter so residents can keep track of their energy usage. The gadget is made by the Wireless Glue Networks' partner, Hosiden Corporation.

Next Page: Electric cars, better chips and other green products at CES.