Solar Power International Offering Free Solar Training

Posted on August 25, 2012 by QuestPoint

A Photovoltaic (PV) Technical Training program consisting of 11 in-depth sessions is being offered on the exhibit floor in booth 1008 during Solar Power International 2012 (SPI ‘12). The training sessions are the newest addition to the SPI conference program and have been developed in partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI) and the North American oBoard of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The sessions are included in both full conference and exhibits-only passes and are included with other industry participants on a variety of topics including certification programs, solar site analysis and battery-safety and maintenance.

Taking place September 10th through 13th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, SPI ’12 is North America’s premier business-to-business event for professionals in solar energy. The show is presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). This international event is expected to attract attendees from more than 100 countries to learn about new markets for solar, new products, and the issues and strategies that will guide the industry’s growing emergence as an energy solution.

“We’ve introduced these technical training sessions as an added value to companies who want to enhance their technical skills and knowledge of their staff,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO, SEIA. “Our industry is fast-evolving and this new program helps people working in the field keep up with the latest developments and procedures. This is critical for expanding the solar business.” “We are thrilled to partner with Solar Energy International and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, two prestigious organizations who can share their knowledge with SPI attendees,” said Julia Hamm, SEPA president and CEO. “The program consists of a wide range of topics addressing the interests of professionals at all levels, from beginner to advanced, enhancing an already comprehensive conference program.”

Rent And Drive Electric In LA

Posted on August 12, 2012 by QuestPoint

The City of Angels is fast becoming the electric car capitol of America. And to showcase that fact, MPG Rent-a-Car is committed to changing the way that customers rent cars by taking a boutique-oriented, green approach to automotive rentals. It has also made a serious commitment to environmental issues as the only fully sustainability centered rental car company in Los Angeles. The agency has therefore taken to heart the recent Best Global Green Brands rankings made available by Interbrand, the world’s largest brand consultancy. Based in the progressive, green-friendly haven of Venice, California, MPG Car Rental, an all-green car rental company, proudly offers the eco-friendly brands named in the report.

David Pearson, Global Sustainability Leader of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, discussed why why successful businesses are being strengthened by a new focus on sustainability. He noted that consumers are becoming increasingly passionate about eco-consumerism. MPG Car Rental is passionate as well. By filling a niche for environmentally-minded renters, the MPG team can build relationships with their coastal Los Angeles clientele, which leads to happier experiences all around. Sustainability-minded car renters are bound to be energized about having an all-green rental fleet. Innovation was also cited by Mr. Pearson. To attain a smaller ecological footprint, inventors and developers have to think of new ways of operating and manufacturing alongside the use of cleaner fuels. MPG Car Rental explores these types of vehicles by constantly updating its fleet.

The MPG fleet includes vehicles mentioned in Interbrand’s list, from Toyota (Prius, Prius Plug-In, Highlander Hybrid) and Lexus (RX, CT), to Honda (Insight), Volkswagen (Jetta), and many more. All of these brands ranked on the Best Global Green Brand list. A recently-added electric car rental, the Chevy Volt, should be making waves with green-minded renters as well. The company will even pick you up and drop you off where you need to go after, a crucial convenience.

The Secret To Solar Power

Marin Pastor On A Solar Power Mission To Africa

Posted on August 4, 2012 by QuestPoint

20070125 vbchurch 01 Viewer Marin Pastor On A Solar Power Mission To Africa After a few times meeting and talking with Dr. Emmanuel O. Akognon it’s obvious he’s not your everyday “you’re gonna burn in hell” preacher. With a Phd in Ministry from Golden Gate Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Dr. Emmanuel O. Akognon was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and first pastored in British Columbia,Canada. Now the multilingual senior pastor of Village Baptist Church, Marin City wants to use the power of the sun to transform the lives of rural people who have no access to electricity. “Americans take for granted that everytime they turn on an electrical switch, the lights will turn on. That is not case in some parts of Nigeria or Benin where there is no electricity or running water. And in some of the larger more populated cities daily blackouts are common place” said Reverend Akognon. Africa has big political and systemwide problems that are preventing new solar energy developments from reaching the people who need it the most. While there have been projects that have been successful such as the solar energy drip project used to pump water for irrigation systems. Akognon wants to put small solar energy panels and lights into the hands of local villagers.

He believes once local people start using them it will transform the region and create broad interest around the world. Dr. Emmanuel O. Akognon began researching solar energy in 2006 after a trip to his birthplace and to Benin on the west African coastline. He also traveled to China to build ties with solar makers and spent time at the Solar Living Institute in Hopland CA. This past week he spoke to his congregation about the purpose of mission in general and his mission to help bring electricity to parts of Africa using small solar panels. The small solar systems will allow people to read at night, decrease health problems and accidents caused by kerosene…a common lighting source in rural Africa.

Through the nonprofit Better Africa Foundation, Dr. Emmanuel O. Akognon will return to West Africa in late September to begin his mission of supplying 1000 homes with small solar power and lights.

Farmers Markets Surge

Marin Clean Energy Powering Change

Posted on July 27, 2012 by QuestPoint

It wasn’t long ago that Marin Clean Energy began its operations after a David and Goliath battle with PG & E. Marin Clean Energy won with the support of the voters, and MCE became the first non profit community energy supplier in California. Now MCE has just recently signed an agreement with the city of Richmond California to provide that city with its electricity. The agreement will increase MCE’s capacity by one third. MCE also serves most of the towns in Marin county including Sausalito…not sure Novato will rejoin.

Richmond has also been on the forefront of the going green movement for some time. Richmond was one of the first cities to provide solar training through its Solar Richmond training program which has become a model for solar training for other US cities. You can listen here to what into the decision making process. Richmond recently adopted an innovative General Plan 2030 to promote community health and sustainable development. The General Plan contains innovative policies to improve community health and wellness by increasing access to recreational activities, healthy food, medical services, public transportation, affordable housing, economic opportunities, safe neighborhoods, and improve environmental quality.

Marin Clean Energy has signed a 20 year agreement with San Rafael Airport to complete an almost 1 mega watt rooftop solar project which is set for completion this fall.

High Speed Rail Boston To DC

Garden State Gets Greener With More Solar Energy

Posted on July 24, 2012 by QuestPoint

New Jersey continues its environmental leadership along with other states like California and Arizona to create more green jobs and cut pollution. Yesterday Matt Elliott, Environment New Jersey’s Clean Energy Advocate, wrote “We applaud the Legislature and the governor for supporting a bill to help New Jersey continue to be the nation’s solar leader. We are pleased that the measure passed both houses of the Legislature with overwhelming bi-partisan support, reflecting the people of New Jersey’s strong support for clean, renewable energy, regardless of party affiliation. And we applaud Governor Christie for signing the bill into law today.

“Because of forward-thinking policies passed by the Legislature and Republican and Democratic governors alike over the years, New Jersey is one of the nation’s leaders on solar power. This bill continues that positive momentum. Currently, we have more solar per square mile than any other state in the nation, with nearly 16,000 solar installations on homes and businesses across the state. As a result, solar is cutting harmful air pollution, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, keeping more of our energy dollars here at home, and creating thousands of local jobs.

“The recent boom in solar development demonstrates that our state’s potential is much greater than previously anticipated. Moving forward, longer-term state policy must keep up with that potential. We should be increasing the state’s overall clean energy requirements and ensuring more of our clean energy goals are carved out for solar specifically. In the short term, however, this bill will ensure that New Jersey continues to be a solar leader. Without a doubt, today is a good day for solar in New Jersey.”

Monsanto Sued

Trade And Rumours Of Solar War

Posted on July 20, 2012 by QuestPoint

The Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) today issued the following statement, attributable to Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America Inc., based in Oregon.

“Today’s announcement by the Chinese government proves once and for all that China is intent on unfairly and illegally allowing its manufacturers to dominate the global solar industry. While it was not unexpected, the announcement of retaliatory investigations into U.S. polysilicon production is harmful to the international trade system. The Chinese government has been telegraphing this move since last October. It is a common Chinese tactic and an abuse of international trade rules. It represents yet another cynical attempt by the Chinese government to bully the U.S. government by injecting politics into a judicial investigation that is sanctioned under international trade rules, as today’s announcement tacitly confirms. Fortunately, when the Chinese government has attempted such blatant retaliatory actions in the past, those actions have been declared illegal by the World Trade Organization.

“The American people understand that the Chinese do not play by the rules and are demanding action. In one recent poll, more than two-thirds of voters think China’s violations of international trade rules are costing the U.S. jobs. As a result, 62 percent of voters favor getting tough on China’s illegal trade practices.

“Today’s announcement is also an attempt to decimate another competitive American industry: the polysilicon industry. It is an attempt to shut down the Chinese market all while the Chinese government injects billions of dollars of likely WTO-illegal subsidies to build up its own domestic polysilicon companies, as it outlined in its latest Five Year Plan. At the same time, the Chinese government and its agents are browbeating U.S. manufacturers into arguing for unilateral trade disarmament. This ploy affects not just the U.S. solar industry, but also the semiconductor industry, another industry in which Chinese companies lag American manufacturers.”

In March, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced preliminary countervailing duties ranging of up to 4.73 percent against Chinese solar manufacturers in response to WTO-illegal government subsidies. This was followed by preliminary antidumping subsidies of 31 percent to 249.96 percent in May. The Commerce Department will announce its final determination in both cases on October 9, 2012. The International Trade Commission will announce its final ruling on the cases in November 7, 2012.