Maldives President taking a lead with solar energy

Posted on September 30, 2010 by quest

You ever have one of those moments when you say to yourself? Oh now I get it. That was my reaction when I did some research on the Maldives. I have been fortunate to have traveled the globe and I just sort of thought of Maldives as a tropical paradise. For me what also comes up is Madagascar and the Cape Verde Islands although they aren’t anywhere near each other. It’s just idea of the Maldives just being so remote and exotic. And even though I didn’t hear the President of the Maldives, Mohammad Nasheed‘s voice when he made an impassioned plea at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen…I hear him now.

In a largely symbolic gesture to persuade world leaders to go green and demonstrate their commitment to renewable energy, President Mohammad Nasheed will install solar panels and green up the presidential residence. It’s hard to figure out why the White House rejected 350.org plea to reinstall solar panel at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, but if you see and hear President Nasheed speak you can understand the situation in the Maldives and recognize the real time effect of climate change.

The Maldives is a very small country of 1200 islands most of them uninhabited, which lie off the Indian sub-continent. The country is just 5 fleet above sea level. It has the distinction of being the lowest country on the planet. So you can easily see that rising sea levels from climate change will spell certain doom.

President Nasheed at the UN

So severe is the situation that in 2008 President Nasheed announced plans to look into purchasing new land in India, Sri Lanka, and Australia because of his concerns about global warming and the possibility of much of the islands being inundated with water from rising sea levels. The purchase of land will be made from a fund generated by tourism. Nasheed said, “We do not want to leave the Maldives, but we also do not want to be climate refugees living in tents for decades.”The solar panels are to be installed as part of 350.org’’s ”Global Work Party” on October 10.

Spray on organic tan in a bottle

Posted on September 29, 2010 by quest

Just recently a Florida company announced spray on solar. Now a Michigan company has rolled out an organic spray on tan. Containing an organic vitamin called “Firmaderm“- Sunless Mist the makers of Sunless Mist and other spa services reports the spray on tanning solution is anti-aging and helps reduce wrinkles. Sunless Mist does not contain alcohol, whereas most other self-tanner’s contain alcohol that may actually dry-out the skin and cause wrinkles. “Firmaderm” moisturizes the skin, and promotes a natural deep dark tropical tan in seconds. Sunless Mist with “Firmaderm” leaves the skin leaving looking and feeling luscious and healthy. Within approximately 4 hours the Organic Sunless Mist will bring out the persons natural suntan. Sunless Mist has a sumptuous chocolate cherry essence and leaves the customer’s skin glowing and revitalized. This new self-tanner is now available to purchase online and it is being distributed to day spas, hotels, salons, and local salons throughout the world.

In addition the company features The Sunscreen Machine its own exclusive line of spa mists. These luxurious spa mists are specifically designed to be used in all Sunscreen Mist misting systems. The “Spa Collection” products have a refreshing & tropical mango-coconut aroma leaving the skin feeling silky smooth. The Sunscreen Mist Spa Collection includes UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Protection SPF 15 and 30, Tan Enhancer, Organic Insect Barrier, and Cooling Aloe.

The self-automated Sunscreen Mist Booth and wand-based Sunscreen Mist Station allow users to quickly apply a measured dose of sunscreen. The user steps into the Booth or walks up to the Station and inserts bills/coins, blue-tooth, keycard, credit card or coupon. Then the user walks into the booth or picks up the misting wand, and pushes the “Start” button to begin the misting application session.
Sunscreen Mist will introduce the rest of their Spa Collection by the bottle in 2011.

A strong voice for sustainability and more

Posted on September 28, 2010 by quest

“I went to Iraq believing in the mission, and now I realize we were lied to,” Juan Beltran says in this video “We can’t be dependent on oil.” When Juan was deployed to Iraq, departing from his wife and daughter, it was with a wholehearted belief in the good of serving his country. Tragically, a helicopter crash broke Beltran’s neck, leaving him quadriplegic. Now, back home, he views the war in a much different light. Wanting to move toward a sustainable future for his family, and set an example others can follow, Beltran has enlisted the help of generous volunteers to turn his Chino, California property into an eco-friendly, self-sufficient farm.

The home is being remodeled with the likes of solar panels, LED lighting and a more efficient design. The Beltran’s have goats that keep the grass short and provide fertilizer, hens that provide a free daily breakfast, and a vegetable garden.
Beltran is a beacon of inspiration and hope, expressing that he harbors no bitterness about what happened to him: “I’m happy with my wife and my daughter, and this beautiful house that I have, even if I’m in this condition — It doesn’t matter.”

New York Jets touchdown with solar

Posted on September 28, 2010 by quest

The New York Jets and Yingli Solar today announced the completion of a solar power system at the Jets’ teams’ HQ and training center in Florham Park, NJ. This is the largest solar installation at a NFL team headquarters the project utilizes over 3,000 Yingli Solar panels. All of the power generated by the system will be sold to The New York Jets under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

“The New York Jets are excited to be at the forefront of incorporating solar energy into the NFL. When we decided to add solar energy to the Atlantic Health Training Center, going green was the catalyst,” said Thad Sheely, New York Jets’ Executive Vice President of Finance and Stadium Development. “This project is the first of many green initiatives on behalf of the team, and we are proud to be green in color and also in deed..”
“We are excited to have formed a long-term partnership with the New York Jets, and to align our brand with the most popular sport in America,” said Robert Petrina, Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy Americas. “We commend the Jets for their commitment to renewable energy.
New Jersey is currently a U.S. leader in solar energy, second only to California. The project will reduce CO2 emissions by 540 metric tons each year, which is equivalent to taking over 100 cars off the road. By utilizing a power purchase agreement, the team will also save tens of thousands of dollars each year in electricity expenses with no capital

Spray on Solar

Posted on September 28, 2010 by quest

Earlier this year I reported on whether blue jeans could be a source for solar power. Now here’s something that could be a real game changer in the world of solar developments. A Florida company has introduced a spray on solar solution that they say can turn a window into a energy generating solar panel. What’s more is that the spray painted window can apparently save over 300% more than regular rooftop systems. New Energy Technologies see thru spray turns ordinary glass surfaces into electricity-generating windows called the SolarWindow. The solar industry has been seeking ways to lower cost.

Company CEO, John A. Conklin, recently introduced the SolarWindow to the press as the world’s first see thru technology of its kind. They are also working on MotionPower roadway systems for generating electricity by capturing the kinetic energy produced by moving vehicles.

New Energy Technologies demonstrated the the product at their press meeting with successful results and will release more comprehensive reports as they move towards commercialization.

Listen to the latestUPDATE: A GREEN RENAISSANCE V

There’s something in the wind… energy

Posted on September 27, 2010 by quest

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced that the Department of Energy is awarding more than $5 million to support U.S. wind energy development. The two funding recipients announced today—AWS Truepower LLC in Albany, New York and WindLogics, Inc. in Saint Paul, Minnesota—will lead teams of several partners and work with DOE and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to deploy advanced atmospheric measurement systems over a broad area, provide data that allow advanced weather prediction systems to improve short-term turbine-level wind forecasts, and demonstrate the value of these forecasting improvements for electric utility operations.
Mark Hartney from the Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency will be one of the speakers at Airborne Wind Energy Conference 2010 being held at Standford University – September 28,29 -2010. The conference will bring together energy entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, utilities, project developers, academic researchers, and federal institutions to discuss emerging technologies and challenges to commercialization. Discussions will cover a wide spectrum of issues including developments in airborne wind energy technology, public/private investments in renewable energy, advancements in resource analysis and regulatory issues.