Solar Smart Windows Reflecting Growth

Posted on March 4, 2012 by quest

After many years of being no more than a niche, the smart windows market is starting to reflect growth says a report from NanoMarkets in its latest report on “Smart Windows Markets 2012. NanoMarkets is a leading provider of market research and industry analysis of opportunities within advanced materials and emerging energy and electronics markets. The firm believes that several factors are combining to make this happen. The most obvious perhaps is that there is a growing awareness of energy conservation, green building and fuel efficient transportation by building owners and governments. Smart windows will further provide a growth platform for architectural glass manufacturers and window manufacturers. Already “pricey” architectural glass and window products can be sold at incremental price increase, while providing valuable additional features such as energy savings with smart coatings on the windows and glass facades.

For the construction and architectural side of things, NanoMarkets believes that firms who focus on LEED design and construction, and who adopt smart windows technologies, will benefit the most. As smart windows technology grows and pervades the marketplace, it will eventually become a “required technology” for LEED design and construction. Therefore, architectural and construction firms that are early adopters of smart windows technology in their building designs will gain a sustainable competitive advantage for growing their businesses.With all these developments in mind, NanoMarkets is publishing this new report to pinpoint and quantify where the money will be made – and lost – in the worldwide smart windows business. The report covers both traditional passive smart windows, as well as the new breed of active electrochromic and thermochromic smart window technologies. It also discusses the numerous challenges that will have to be overcome in this market to make new products a success.

This report analyzes the markets for self-dimming windows, self-cleaning windows and the smart windows of the future that will combine window functionality with the ability to serve as either lighting or solar panels; or both.

Universities Offering Joint Program in Energy Law

Energy From Solar Panels Building Electric Vehicles

Posted on March 2, 2012 by quest

It’s real hard not to like BMW’s new electric, prototypes and fossil fuel cars. But now motoring giants BMW and Honda are building solar panels into their production plants and other facilities. With the rising costs of gas and energy; this is a logical move for big commercial energy users and residential users who are ready to use solar power to cut energy usage, transportation costs and dependence on oil. Just imagine the day when you don’t have to go to the gas station to fuel up? You simply plug your electric powered car into your solar powered home and zaaaaap you’re good to go! This is no fantasy…. not anymore and the fact that BMW and Honda are using solar energy to build electric vehicles should be a clear indication where the smart money is going.

Both of these behemoths in the automobile industry are looking to start incorporating more on-site solar electricity generation. Honda has been installing solar power generation systems at their plants all around Japan and they have so far reached a total combined capacity of 3.3 megawatts.

Honda’s own solar power branch is Honda Soltec and they are using their own solar panels, the “Honda Soltec CIGS thin-film solar cells” on all of tir branches. Among the recent installations by Honda there’s been a 9 kilowatt-solar power system fitted at the Honda Cars Tokyo Chuo dealership. This installation marks the beginning of a solar power initiative from Honda that will see over 100 dealerships fitted with similar solar panels. BMW has been pulled over to the ‘green side’ after having just recently finished installing 400 solar modules that each has a 240 watt capacity. They have been installed at BMW Manufacturing heritage museum and visitor centre which is situated next to their South Carolina plant.

Los Angeles Growing Green & Cleantech Businesses

Michael Picker To Keynote San Diego Solar Symposium

Posted on March 1, 2012 by quest

In an effort to continue the San Diego region’s rapid deployment of residential and commercial solar power installations, CleanTECH San Diego and the Solar Electric Power Association are co-hosting the San Diego Solar Energy Symposium on March 6 at the University of San Diego . The symposium will feature a number of distinguished guests from the solar industry to discuss the future of solar power in San Diego.”No matter how much has been done, we’ve only just tapped into the full potential of rooftop solar solutions and mass adoption,” said Jim Waring, President and Chief Executive Officer of CleanTECH San Diego. “The lessons learned are the platform from which the region can grow to reach its full solar energy potential.”

Michael Picker, Senior Advisor to California Governor Jerry Brown for Renewable Energy Facilities, will keynote the symposium, discussing the region’s solar market and how to build a foundation for sustainable solar energy growth. A host of industry experts including representatives from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Kyocera Solar, REC Solar, Xtreme Power Solutions, Soitec, UC San Diego and the Clean Coalition will bring perspective to today’s trends and challenges as well as outline a San Diego vision for solar power generation over the next decade. Scott Anders, USD Energy Policy Initiatives Center Director, and Andrew McAllister, Director of Policy and Strategy for the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE), will moderate the panel discussions.

“Transforming solar from a niche technology to a mainstream resource is a complicated undertaking. Our San Diego event brings together a productive mix of viewpoints that can serve as a model for the conversations that must take place across the nation,” said Bob Gibson, SEPA Vice President of Market Intelligence. SDG&E echoed the need for collaboration as the region continues to move forward and distinguish itself as a solar power leader. “SDG&E is fully committed to the development of solar power and entered into 12 contracts with developers for 897 megawatts of new solar energy in 2011,” said James P. Avery, SDG&E Senior Vice President of Power Supply. “The Solar Energy Symposium is a key part of our ongoing effort to collaborate with leaders in the solar industry, policy makers and our customers as we progress in transitioning SDG&E to a clean energy future.

Apple Using Solar Power To Power Itself

SolarCity Raises $81 Million In Growth Capital

Posted on February 29, 2012 by quest

SolarCity today announced that it has raised $81 million in equity financing. SolarCity allows homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations to buy renewable energy for less than they currently pay for electricity from utilities. The company has more than 30,000 clean energy projects completed or underway. The round was co-led by Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Valor Equity Partners, and included investments from Nicholas J. Pritzker, partner at Tao Ventures and senior development advisor for Hyatt Hotels Corp., and Shea Ventures, an affiliate of SolarCity partner Shea Homes. SolarCity Chairman Elon Musk and existing SolarCity investor DBL Investors also participated. The new financing will fund SolarCity’s expansion of sales, marketing and operations, technology development and potential acquisitions.

“Individuals and organizations of all shapes and sizes are fed up with the growing cost and consequences of traditional energy,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “This investment provides SolarCity the resources to explore new products and services and identify new geographies and potential acquisitions as we seek to deliver better energy choices to more customers.”Silver Lake Kraftwerk (SLK) is an investment strategy of Silver Lake, the global leader in private investments in technology and technology-enabled industries. SLK was created to provide growth capital to innovators in the energy and resource sectors.

“SolarCity is the leader in its space,” said Raj Atluru, co-founder of Silver Lake Kraftwerk. “The company’s unique, vertically-integrated model, paired with incentives and falling technology costs, allows it to provide solar electricity to customers at lower rates than they pay for utility power. We’ve thoroughly analyzed SolarCity’s full-service approach to solar and energy efficiency and we believe it has the ability to deliver superior customer experience and service across multiple sectors.”Valor Equity Partners pursues investments in leaders in their respective markets. Valor is also an investor in Tesla Motors.

Monsanto asks scientists about global warming

Yingli Solar and Grid Alternatives Powering People

Posted on February 28, 2012 by quest

Yingli Solar a sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil today announced it has renewed its strategic partnership throughout 2012 with the Oakland-based nonprofit solar installer, GRID Alternatives. Yingli Americas’ 2012 agreement with GRID Alternatives builds on a 1MW partnership launched in 2011 that brought clean power to over 400 low-income homeowners across California, saving them an estimated US$11 million over the systems’ lifetimes, while giving hands-on solar installation experience to thousands of workers. GRID Alternatives’ mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. It has provided no or low-cost solar electric systems for more than 1700 families since 2004 while serving as a “classroom in the field” for solar job trainees.

“Yingli’s continued support for GRID Alternatives’ mission means millions more in long-term savings for low-income families that need them most, thousands more learning opportunities for green job seekers and a win for the environment,” said Erica Mackie, Executive Director and Co-Founder of GRID Alternatives. “We’re thrilled that they decided to renew their commitment, especially as we begin replicating our model beyond California.”

“Supporting our local communities through corporate social responsibility initiatives is something we care deeply about, and we are very proud to be official partners with GRID Alternatives,” said Robert Petrina, Managing Director of Yingli Americas. “Our combined teams were a great fit from the start given our common goals for protecting the environment and helping those in need.”Helena Kimball, Head of Marketing, Yingli Americas said, “Listening to the stories of these families and job seekers that we’ve helped and participated alongside has been remarkable, and we are excited to be expanding the program even further this year. Renewable energy is inherently about helping people who need energy most, and with more than 800 financially challenged families powered by the end of this year, we’ve gone beyond what we imagined possible at the onset of this program.”

Right To Know Genetically Modified Organisms

World’s Largest Electric Bus Fleet Expanding In China

Posted on February 27, 2012 by quest

Solar and electric company BYD already with the largest zero-emissions fleet in serviceworld-wide will add 1500 pure electric K9 buses and e6 taxis to the public transportation fleet in Shenzhen City. Commenting on these successes, Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission Director Xiangzhen Lu said, “Shenzhen is the first city in China to implement a subsidy for new energy vehicles and the first city to launch consumer sales of the BYD e6.” The zero-emissions Taxi fleet has already given many consumers their first experience with the BYD all-electric, 5-passenger e6, China’s first long-range, pure-electric car. SDRC cited rising oil prices and growing environmental pressures as key reasons to transform the public transportation system. Shenzhen City believes electrified transportation offers the most effective way to simultaneously stimulate economic recovery while restoring the environment by lowering CO2 emissions.

Shenzhen City will also establish new policies in hopes of encouraging private EV use. The SDRC announced that Shenzhen is formulating measures to impose fees on emissions from gasoline cars while rewarding alternative energy vehicle drivers based on distance traveled. Other incentive policies include allowing pure electric drivers to use the public bus lane during rush hour, insurance privileges, and free annual maintenance checks. The city of Shenzhen is also trying to manage its 200,000 plus electric bikes and has recently introduced restrictions which are to go into effect in April.

China’s Southern Power Grid Company has agreed to install free-of-charge, two electric vehicle charging poles for each Shenzhen EV driver — one at the home or apartment of the driver and another near the EV driver’s place of business. Shenzhen City continues to offer extremely affordable peak and off-peak electricity prices for new energy vehicle users, reducing nightly charging costs. The SDRC predicts that private alternative energy vehicle use in Shenzhen will increase by 3000 units in 2012 and plans to install and support over 6,000 new charging pedestals accordingly. BYD’s North American headquarters are in Los Angeles.

The Pied Piper of Solar

Obama Calls For Extending US Solar Programs