Ed Begley Jr. Shinning For Panasonic Solar 

Posted on January 10, 2012 by quest

Jim Doyle, President of Panasonic Eco Solutions North America has announced an exclusive brand license and endorsement agreement with noted environmentalist endorsement of Ed Begley Jr. for Panasonic HIT solar panels. “Mr. Begley is not only a well known actor but his view of helping the environment matches Panasonic’s mission to be the number one green innovation company in the electronics industry by 2018, the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding. Ed will be a recognizable and trusted voice to the customer about how they can help the environment by installing solar panels.”

“Environmental lifestyles have changed much over the past few years. Solar has become an alternative to people who want to do something sustainable in their lives as well as save money. Solar can help them do both with quality solar panels like Panasonic’s HIT, government incentives, and solar leasing,” said Mr. Begley. “This agreement will help me reach customers and educate the public on the benefits of going solar. It has always been my mission to help people make greener lifestyle choices, and consequently create a brighter, healthier future for all of us.”

HIT stands for “heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer”, and the solar cells used are a hybrid with a unique structure comprised of a thin mono-crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. HIT solar modules are known for having one of the world’s highest conversion efficiencies and excellent temperature characteristics, allowing HIT modules to generate more power throughout the year, even during peak summer months, compared to other types of crystalline modules. The panels were originally developed by Sanyo Electric, which Panasonic Corporation acquired on April 1, 2011.

California Focusing On 2020 Solar Vision

Solar Energy Expanding In Developing Nations

Posted on January 10, 2012 by quest

Currently, 600 million people in Africa live with no access to electricity. The enormous solar energy potential in Africa is currently underutilized, and only accounts for less than 2% of installed world solar facilities or solar / wind farms. Of the fossil energy sources that are exploited in Africa, only 25% of oil production is consumed locally. Limited energy development in the region has resulted in one of the lowest use of modern energy sources. More than 75% of sub-Saharan Africans have no access to electricity, compared to fewer than 15% of Latin Americans and East Asians. Sunbelt International can facilitate current efforts to spur economic growth and reduce poverty by providing the region with a needed energy supply.

Sunbelt International has announced expansion through the developing nation initiative. The company announced today that they will offer a wide service range through the Operation Network to provide critically needed local Turbine and Solar PV services and technical support to the energy users in Africa. Sunbelt International president Fang Soo Lui realizes the potential this initiative has for both the company and the end users. Mr.Lui has had several meetings with the Developing Nations and Aid organizations who are planning to invest in the future of developing countries, and exploit Africa’s huge energy potential as a weapon against poverty.

Developing countries are a large market for the sustainable energy systems provided by Sunbelt International. Due to poor infrastructure, and large initial investment requirements, only 7 percent of the potential market is being reached. At least half of the African Continent’s 53 countries could profitably produce Wind / Solar energy. Sunbelt International is pleased to reach these markets to provide sustainable energy solutions.

Dubai Launches $3.27 Billion Solar Project

Solar Forces Unite

Posted on January 9, 2012 by quest

The Solar Energy Industries Association, the national trade association for the solar energy industry, recently announced that it has officially merged with the Solar Alliance, an advocacy organization committed to establishing solar policies at the state level. Effective immediately, the Solar Alliance will operate under the SEIA brand in an effort to present a unified solar industry voice in all advocacy efforts at the state level. Carrie Cullen Hitt, president of the Solar Alliance, is now Vice President for State Affairs at SEIA, and the Solar Alliance team joins Hitt as part of SEIA’s new department for State Affairs.“The solar energy industry is expanding and it is critical for SEIA to mirror this growth and put our resources and expertise into developing state policy that expand markets for solar energy,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. “Adding Carrie Cullen Hitt and her top-notch staff to the SEIA team is a critical step as we continue to scale the U.S. market and move toward our goal of installing 10 gigawatts of solar annually by 2015.”

“We have tremendous opportunities for opening markets for solar across all regions,” said Hitt. “With the Solar Alliance now a part of SEIA, we have the unified voice that is necessary on the policy front – both in Washington and in the states – to really take the U.S. solar industry to the next level.” Additionally, SEIA has established more formalized, collaborative relationships with nearly a dozen state and regional SEIA chapters to coordinate efforts. While the state and regional SEIA chapters remain wholly independent entities, this partnership brings additional resources and coordination on efforts that align with SEIA’s policy goals in the states.

In 2012, SEIA will present a unified voice in policy issues ranging from international trade, extension of the Section 1603 Treasury Program, and improved access for solar developers on public lands to the policy efforts in the states. State efforts will entail a number of different policy efforts including net metering, a financial tool for recognizing value of distributed generation on the grid, and removing barriers to grid interconnection and permitting. The combination of state and federal policy has driven access to energy markets for solar project developers across the country. In 2010, 17 states installed more than 10 megawatts of new solar capacity compared to only four in 2007.

EPA On Lead-Safe Renovation Requirements

New Energy Solutions At Las Vegas CES

Posted on January 9, 2012 by quest

A cleaner and smarter energy future – available today – is on display at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.“Consumers have the power to move clean energy forward,” said Jason Few, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of NRG. “We are making solar power and electric vehicle charging easy and affordable. We’re empowering consumers with information, tools and plans to help them manage the electricity that runs all the incredible innovations at CES. With our investment in large-scale solar generation and repowering our generation fleet with cleaner technologies, we are forging a more sustainable energy future.” NRG is at the Consumer Electronics Show for the second time to highlight how innovations from NRG and two of its consumer businesses – electricity retailer Reliant and electric vehicle charging network eVgo – are pioneering cleaner, smarter energy choices for consumers.

NRG’s interactive exhibit features the largest gadget ever seen on the CES floor, The Reliant Smarter Home on Wheels. In addition, the prototype of DeLorean’s DMCev, the all-electric version of one of the most iconic cars in automotive history, will be on display at the NRG booth. In the ‘Human NRG’ backyard at the NRG CES booth visitors and people linked in through social media will be able to use their energy to help raise funds for two national charities, Rebuilding Together and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In addition, those who visit the booth in person or via Facebook will have the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Houston to drive the prototype DeLorean DMCev, the only automobile of its kind in the world.

The NRG booth at CES features The Reliant Smarter Home on Wheels, Electric Vehicle Charging at Home and On the Road, The Human NRG Backyard and Solar for Consumers – the nation’s largest developer of solar energy – on top of the Smarter Home on Wheels show how solar is working – today. NRG and its retail businesses provide consumers with options that make solar easy, affordable and convenient without a large upfront investment as well as options that allow consumers with solar installations to sell electricity back to the grid.

Maui Welcomes The Power Of Solar

Solar Power Leading Cleantech Investments

Posted on January 6, 2012 by quest

Cleantech Group, a global research firm focused on cleantech innovation, today released preliminary 2011 results for clean technology venture and corporate investments around the globe, totaling $8.99 billion, a 13 percent increase over 2010. Cleantech mergers & acquisitions reached record highs in 2011 with 391 deals and a dollar volume of $41.2 billion, a robust 153 percent growth over 2010. Solar was the leading sector by amount invested ($1.81 billion), followed by energy efficiency ($1.46 billion) and transportation ($1.12 billion). Energy efficiency was the most popular sector measured by number of deals, with 150 funding rounds, ahead of solar (111 deals) and transportation (61 deals).

“Despite some of the well-publicized headwinds, venture capitalists continue to invest in cleantech. Based on our historical data, we believe 2012 will be an all-time record year for global cleantech investments.”“While 2011 has been a difficult year for cleantech and venture capital, our 2011 numbers show surging interest in cleantech from global enterprises,” said Sheeraz Haji, CEO of Cleantech Group. “Despite some of the well-publicized headwinds, venture capitalists continue to invest in cleantech. Based on our historical data, we believe 2012 will be an all-time record year for global cleantech investments.”

Throughout 2011, investment totals grew while the number of deals declined by 7 percent compared to 2010, an indication that average round size is increasing. Of the 713 deals, 61 percent (438) were Series B or later rounds, accounting for 85 percent ($7.64 billion) of all money invested during the year.Investments in North America grew significantly from $5.20 billion in 2010 to $6.81 billion in 2011, or a 30 percent increase. On the other hand, Europe and Israel took a step back, with $1.30 billion invested in 2011 compared to $1.84 billion in 2010.In the public markets, China remained strong for cleantech IPOs. 28 of the 51 IPOs in 2011 came out of China, led by several massive offerings by large renewable energy corporations such as Sinohydro, Sinovel Wind Group and Huaneng Renewable Energy.

U.S. Solar Industry Reaches New Heights

New SunWater Solar Power In San Francisco Tenderloin

Posted on December 30, 2011 by quest

SunWater Solar and Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) recently announced new solar thermal systems at two affordable housing buildings in the heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. The two systems, consisting of 40 solar collectors and 24 collectors, respectively, garnered a total of $85,867 in California Solar Initiative-Thermal (CSI-Thermal) rebates. One hundred percent of this rebate money was used to fund system components and installation. “Solar thermal systems can greatly reduce water-heating bills for large, low-income housing buildings,” said Justin Weil, President of SunWater Solar. “With CSI-Thermal rebates currently funding roughly 30% of system cost, it’s a sound business decision to invest now in the technology.” The solar power systems benefit low-income San Francisco residents, provide green jobs and help to reduce carbon emissions.

“It’s exciting to see non-profit organizations such as TNDC benefiting from the CSI-Thermal incentive program,” said Nick Stimmel, Senior Program Manager at Pacific Gas & Electric. “PG&E encourages other owners of affordable housing buildings to consider solar thermal for their own properties.” The solar water-heating systems are one element of TNDC’s Green Retrofit Initiative, an effort aimed at making TNDC buildings more energy efficient. Co-sponsored by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) and Enterprise Community Partners, the initiative also included boiler replacements, and the installation of energy-efficient lighting and low-flow showerheads and toilets. Fine Line Construction of San Francisco was the general contractor for the project.

“The San Francisco MOH and Enterprise Community Partners structured the financing in such a way that these solar water-heating installations are a highly cost-effective means of reaching Green Retrofit Initiative goals,” said Don Falk, TNDC Executive Director. “The technology makes sense from both a financial and an environmental perspective.” SunWater Solar is a solar thermal integrator that manages the design and installation of commercial solar thermal systems.

Spray On Solar Windows Generating Energy

Vinod Khosla

The Potential of Green Technology