Sunpower Expands Solar Buying Options

Posted on August 8, 2012 by QuestPoint

SunPower Corp. today announced new commitments from Citi and Credit Suisse that will provide financing to support approximately $325 million of residential solar lease projects. SunPower will use the funds to supplement its successful SunPower® Lease program to U.S. residential customers, expanding the financing options available to homeowners interested in high-efficiency SunPower solar power systems, the most efficient solar technology available today.

“Citi is proud to support SunPower’s efforts to make renewable energy more accessible to American homeowners,” said Jason Cavaliere, director at Citi. “Financing the expansion of the SunPower Lease offer builds on Citi’s commitment to environmental sustainability and our continued support for the green economy and green jobs in the U.S.”
“Credit Suisse is pleased to help more U.S. homeowners take advantage of the environmental and economic benefits of SunPower technology,” said Jerry Smith, managing director at Credit Suisse.

“The global financial leadership of Citi and Credit Suisse, combined with SunPower’s leading technology and quarter century of experience, offer customers an unprecedented level of assurance that is vitally important. The SunPower Lease is now available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. SunPower is the leading manufacturer of rooftop solar power systems in the U.S. because our customers know they can rely on high efficiency SunPower technology to maximize the power generated on their roof – and their monthly savings,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, regions. “Homeowners have many financing options when they choose a SunPower system, from cash purchases to loans to leases, and SunPower dealers work with customers to ensure they choose the financing option that is right for them. We are very pleased to extend the lease option to more of our U.S. customers.”

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

Intersolar Rises And Shines

Posted on July 11, 2012 by QuestPoint

Innovation and collaboration were familiar themes at this years Intersolar North America. Intersolar a premier solar industry exhibition and conference for solar professionals to exchange information and develop business opportunities in the U.S. returned to San Francisco to mark its fifth year in the heart of the largest solar market in the United States. San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee delivered remarks for the conference alongside directors of the worlds-leading research institutions during the conference’s official opening on July 10 in the Intercontinental Hotel. While welcoming the conference to San Francisco, Mayor Lee also reminded the conference about the California senate’s ground breaking decision to begin financing high speed rail between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

SunShot Director Ramamoorthy Ramesh welcomed participation in new national initiatives such as solar “Plug and Play.” Reflecting renewed global collaboration and innovation, Dr. Dan Arvizu, director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL); Dr. Michio Kondo, director of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan; and Prof. Dr. Eicke Weber, director of the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy Systems (FhG ISE) in Germany signed of a Memorandum of Understanding to form a Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes (GA-SERI). Over 850 exhibitors from over 25 countries are at the show.

Singer, songwriter and Sessions Solar marketing executive Christie McCarthy welcomed attendees of the Intersolar Awards Ceremony, a sort of Academy Awards for Solar Projects in the US with her very engaging song” Rise and Shine.” Wednesday evening will feature Solar Battle of the Bands Round 2 where industry musicians such as Sungevity’s Killa Watts and SolarCity’s Soulmetrics will compete for your vote.

Electric Bus To Loop University of Utah

Posted on July 3, 2012 by QuestPoint

The University of Utah has placed an order for a 40-foot, all-electric transit bus with BYD Company Limited (BYD) the largest manufacture of all-electric buses in the world. BYD’s long-range, all-electric, “GreenCity” buses have been running worldwide in commercial fleet service for the last two years. BYD’s GreenCity fleets have accumulated over 14 million miles using BYD’s internally developed electric drive technologies and Iron-Phosphate battery systems. BYD will supply one all-electric GreenCity bus to be retrofitted with WAVE’s wireless charging pad under the bus, developed by the Utah State University Energy Dynamics Laboratory, one of the leaders in wireless power transfer for vehicles. This technology will allow the BYD electric buses to pull up over an embedded charger in the asphalt with a maximum of 10 inches clearance and “opportunity charge” the waiting bus with no moving parts or unsightly wires required. The funds to test a full in-service operation of WAVE’s wireless power charging system were provided through a Federal Transit Administration grant awarded to the Utah Transit Authority.

The new BYD 40-foot GreenCity electric bus will be the first shuttle to be allowed to run across the heart of campus – a 1.7 mile loop route between the South Campus TRAX station north to the Warnock Engineering building with midway stops at the Student Union buildings. The bus runs will be timed to pick up passengers coming off eastbound trains on a 15-minute cycle. The driver will position the bus over the charging pad during several minute wait periods between runs. The embedded charge pads measure about three feet square and pose no danger to the public. Nothing protrudes above the surface to be damaged by cars, snow plows or vandals. At the core of the BYD’s GreenCity bus technology are BYD’s Iron Phosphate batteries. The BYD battery boasts the highest safety, longest service life and most environmentally friendly of all rechargeable chemistries.

“We will be the model of zero emissions rapid transit for the Nation,” said Alma Allred, the University of Utah’s Director of Commuter services. “We want to be in the forefront of technology that reduces the need for fossil fuels and has zero noise and zero pollution.” “Our electric GreenCity bus has proven that it not only significantly reduces pollution in large cities, but it has also reduced operating expenses versus Natural-Gas and Diesel buses by up to 70% — there are no internal-combustion engines to maintain and service—no engines to rebuild over the life of the vehicles”, stated Micheal Austin, Vice President of BYD America. “BYD is proud to be a part of this wireless power transfer project with WAVE ,the University of Utah and the Utah Transit Authority – we applaud their visionary leadership.”