Solar Green Careers Occupy The Future of Cali Biz

Posted on November 3, 2011 by quest

According to nonprofit organization the Solar Foundation, over 93,000 workers spent more than 50% of their time on solar-related projects in August of 2010 alone. In California, the increasing demand for solar panel technicians is even more evident; the sun-soaked state maintains the single largest solar power capacity in the United States (as of 2009, 1101 megawatts). Coast Career Institute provides a comprehensive, in-depth training for innovative fields like solar panel installation. This is indisputably a growth industry.

As a leading vocational schools in Los Angeles the Coast Career Institute, offers vital training for solar panel installation, an industry on the rise as America invest more in alternative energy sources. If you are looking for a trade school in Los Angeles that provides cutting-edge training that will prepare you for the burgeoning green revolution, you may not have to look no further than the Coast Career Institute, a career college in Los Angeles (and Colton) that has a solid track record of placing graduates in secure, well-paid jobs.

California Leading America In Solar Technology

In addition to its track record of placing graduates, Coast Career Institute provides a comprehensive, in-depth training for innovative fields like solar panel installation. So it’s no wonder many people are eager to find a career college in Los Angeles that can give them the skills and experience they need to get in on the ground floor of this exciting new frontier. In business since 1969 he Coast Career Institute has added new training programs to its curriculum to stay at the leading edge of changes in the job market. In May of 2010, the Coast Career Institute began its rigorous and comprehensive training program for solar installer jobs. From the very beginning, this program was an obvious favorite.

Tesla Founder Named Innovator of the Year by WSJ

Trina Solar Opens Headquarters in Singapore

Posted on November 2, 2011 by quest

Trina Solar, a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products announced today the establishment of its Asia Pacific operating headquarters in Singapore.The new Asia Pacific headquarters are expected to provide management functions covering administration, sales, project development, R&D, logistics and purchasing operations to further strengthen Trina Solar’s growing presence and customer base in the region. The new administrative region is expected to include Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, as well as Korea and will extend to the Middle East and South Africa.

Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar, commented, “Singapore’s excellent investment environment, combined with its skilled talent base and strong logistics infrastructure, makes it a strategically advantageous location for Trina Solar to establish our regional headquarters. Our new Singapore headquarters complements our recent Asia Pacific expansion into Japan, Australia and Korea, while opening up emerging PV markets such as Thailand and India. We are confident that these headquarters will serve as an ideal gateway to markets throughout the region for Trina Solar.” Gao has also recently responded to US solar panel makers claims that Chinese solar companies were dumping solar panels in the US. Reporting in Bloomberg Gao said,

“Chinese solar-panel makers borrow”

Dr. Haiyan Sun, Head of the Asia Pacific Headquarters added, “We believe that Trina Solar can help Singapore become more integrated with the emerging PV markets such as Japan, Thailand and India, which will help boost regional development. Trina Solar is highly optimistic about the Asia Pacific market and we believe that our new Singapore headquarters is expected to generate a growing portion of the company’s global sales over the next several years.”Dr. Sun added, “We are delighted by the opportunity to elevate our regional R&D strengths through Singapore’s strong local talent pool, and to develop strategic cooperative alliances with local research institutes and universities.”

U.S. families large buyers of organic foods

New Yorkers Have Affordable Solar Energy Options

Posted on November 2, 2011 by quest

Mercury Solar Systems, one of the leading solar integrators on the East Coast, today announced that the Company has been selected by SunRun to bring affordable home solar to New Yorkers. The companies have enabled hundreds of homeowners in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to go solar for a fraction of the normal cost.”The number one concern for homeowners today is controlling their electricity cost as it continues to rise on average 6 percent every year,” commented David Sugrue, Director of Residential Sales at Mercury Solar Systems. “SunRun offers the optimal solution as they enable homeowners to lock in their electricity rate with minimal upfront investment. In today’s economic climate, SunRun has proven to be the best choice for homeowners looking to save money.”

As a solar energy service provider, SunRun owns and maintains solar systems on homeowners’ roofs and works with Mercury Solar Systems on the installation. Homeowners avoid the high upfront costs and pay a low monthly rate for clean power, fixing their energy costs to save thousands of dollars over time on their energy bills. “In today’s economy homeowners need to put their finances first, and we’ve found a way to make solar something that’s good for homeowners’ wallets and the planet,” said SunRun President and Co-founder Lynn Jurich. “We’re excited to bring this offering to New York and to work with trusted partners like Mercury Solar Systems to make solar more affordable throughout the state.”

“I’ve been thinking about putting solar on my house for awhile and SunRun was the deciding factor. The lease option means I save a lot on upfront out-of-pocket costs plus I don’t have to worry about maintaining and insuring the system. I’m excited to begin working with Mercury Solar Systems on the installation,” said Matt Browne, a Westchester homeowner and one of Mercury Solar Systems and SunRun’s first New York customers.

Green Community News & Views

Neighborhood giveaways on Freecycle Network go global

Solar Gets Support Across Political Spectrum

Posted on November 1, 2011 by quest

Survey by Kelton Research finds continued widespread public support for development of solar energy, federal incentives for solar, across political spectrum. Americans overwhelmingly support the use and development of solar energy as well as federal investments for solar, according to a new national poll. These and other findings were reported today in the 2011 SCHOTT Solar Barometer, a nationally representative survey conducted annually by independent polling firm Kelton Research.
For the fourth consecutive year, the survey found that about nine out of 10 Americans think it is important for the United States to develop and use solar energy. Support for solar is strong across the political spectrum with 80 percent of Republicans, 90 percent of Independents and 94 percent of Democrats agreeing that it is important for the United States to develop and use solar.

The survey also found that Americans want federal incentives for solar. More than eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) support federal tax credits and grants for the solar industry similar to those that traditional sources of energy like oil, natural gas and coal have received for decades. Seventy-one percent of Republicans agree, as well as 82 percent of Independents and 87 percent of Democrats. Furthermore, when asked to select an energy source they would financially support if they were in charge of U.S. energy policy, 39 percent of Americans chose solar over other sources such as natural gas (21 percent), wind (12 percent), nuclear (9 percent) and coal (3 percent). Read the full Report:New Poll- 9 out of 10 Americans Support Solar, Across Political Spectrum

Marin’s going even greener

Green Video Views

Hawaii Teacher Rolls In An Electric Vehicle

Posted on November 1, 2011 by quest

Chad Miller, a language arts teacher at Kailua High School, received the prestigious designation as the 2012 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies hosted by the Hawaii State Department of Education. With Hawaii focusing on the development of the state’s abundant wind, wave, sun, geo-thermal, ocean-thermal and bio-mass energy resources, this year, an electric car (use for a year) was awarded to the 2012 State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies held at historic Washington Place, across from the State Capitol.

Miller will represent the state of Hawaii at the 2012 National Teacher of the Year program next year. The use of the Mitsubishi iMiEV was provided by Cutter Mitsubishi and was presented by Mitsubishi Motors North America president and CEO Yoichi Yokozawa, who said, “I believe the state of Hawaii is a great location for electric vehicles. The state can be an example to the world for zero emission cars. Hawaii can show others how to make it work.” Two electric vehicle charging stations –one for the teacher’s residence and one for the teacher’s school parking space– were provided compliments of AeroVironment, a Monrovia, California-based supplier of EV charging stations.

Pat Ah You, general manager of Cutter Mitsubishi, reminded Miller that Honolulu allows free parking for electric vehicles at all City and County public parking facilities and parking meter stalls on streets and roadways throughout the island of Oahu.”The electric car presentation to the teacher is significant this year in that it demonstrates Hawaii’s new car dealers’ commitment to education, the new renewable energy transition, and to the next generation of young people who are customers in the future,” said Ah You.

The Western Solar Energy Zone

Eco Fashion…Where Does It Come From?

Posted on October 31, 2011 by quest

How we dress says lot about who we are. “How’s the weather where I work? “ “Am I feeling blue or bright?” “Am I retro or edgy, sassy or sexy, professional or bohemian…”Fashion is the business of selling dreams and fashion brand campaigns with all their glamour and imagery compete to capture our imagination. If the dream this season is “those boots”, then every girl must have the “it” pair of boots till of course the next “it” pair comes along.

But amidst all the glitz and glamour, we as consumers are rarely exposed to what goes on behind the scenes and the price we as customers pay for buying into the dream. As more and more horror stories about the negative human and environmental impact of the fashion industry emerge, the new trend that’s hopefully here to stay is one of ethical fashion. But what do “ethics” in fashion mean anyways and as a consumer why should I care? Even industry professionals often disagree on this stuff, making it a lot harder for the end consumer to navigate all the options out there. Here are a few terms you’ll hear often and an attempt at explaining what they mean, so that you as a consumer can decide if it’s something you want to get behind.

Fair trade

Fair trade put simply means that people who made your clothes were paid a fair living wage for making the clothes, instead of being made in a sweat shop that uses child labor. Most of us at one point or another in our lives have done minimum wage jobs, been through a lay off or been treated unfairly at work. The problem is a lot more severe in developing countries, where it often constitutes human rights violations, why would we want to contribute to that? Read the full article

Sonica Sarna is head of design and product development at “Raasta”, an ethically made hi-fashion clothing line made in partnership with rural artisan communities in India. The clothing and accessories use handloom fabrics and natural dyes while maintaining a boho-chic sensibility ( www.raastaonline.com) . Join Raasta at their exclusive launch party on Nov 2nd at 6.30 pm at BellaPelle, 9 Maiden Lane, San Francisco.