Solar Car Team Revs Up For World Solar Challenge

Posted on October 12, 2011 by quest

Since the 1980s, engineers have been building, and racing solar cars. With software from Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., the University of Michigan (U-M) Solar Car Team has designed a car to compete in the World Solar Challenge in Australia this month. A six-time winner of the American National Championships, the U-M team is competing in the World Solar Challenge—and the car design is lighter and more aerodynamic than ever before. Since 2006 U-M has used SolidWorks software to become the number 1 ranked collegiate solar car team in North America. Next week they will compete on the world stage driving 1800 miles across Australia thanks to the work of over 100 students in various disciplines at U-M. Quantum, the single-seat race vehicle, will travel as far as it can until 5pm each afternoon powered by the sun and 5kW hours of stored energy (the same amount of energy that it takes to power a hair-dryer) or on the recovered kinetic energy from the vehicle.

“Only one U.S. team has ever won the World Solar Challenge,” said Chris Hilger, Business Director of U-M Solar. “This year, we believe we have a winning car design due to the improved aerodynamic shell and significantly lighter weight. SolidWorks helped us model each part to be as small, light, and effective as possible, and this contributes significantly to the car’s speed and maneuverability.”When designing the solar car, the U-M team found systems integration to be the most difficult challenge. Mechanical parts need to be small and light, in order to fit into as small an automotive shell as possible. The U-M team relied upon SolidWorks 3D CAD software to model all of the car components, and determined the amount of space needed for each component. The result is a car that is 30 percent more aerodynamic and 200 pounds lighter than the previous version.

“The U-M Solar Car Team has been able to achieve groundbreaking results with a lighter and faster car,” said Marie Planchard, director of education at Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks. “This extraordinary team is poised to take the lead at the World Solar Challenge, and we’re proud to have contributed to a stellar—and hopefully winning—design.”

Electric Vehicles Driving Energy To The Grid

UN Secretary Calls For ‘Clean Energy Revolution’

Posted on October 11, 2011 by quest

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a “clean energy revolution” to help the estimated three billion people that lack modern power and urged countries to recognize the impact that energy security has on all aspects of development. “Three billion people rely on charcoal or wood for cooking and heating. They are energy-poor. And energy poverty translates into grinding, dehumanizing poverty,” he told participants at an energy conference in Oslo, Norway. “We need energy not only to be universal, [we] need it to be clean – to be sustainable as well. We cannot continue to burn our way to prosperity. The only way to minimize the risks of dangerous climate change is by ensuring that energy is sustainable.” The Secretary-General stressed that sustainable energy is critical for all aspects of human progress and said a departure from existing practices is needed to achieve the goal of universal energy access by 2030.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), financing universal access to modern energy services would cost only about three per cent of total global investments in energy.“Energy poverty is a threat to the achievement all of the MDGs. It holds back economic growth and job creation. We require a radical departure from current practices and existing realities.

That is why we are calling for practical and large-scale action,” he said. To achieve the universal energy access goal, Mr. Ban launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative last month, which has three global targets: providing universal access to modern energy services, doubling energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the world’s energy supply. The initiative will have input from the private, government and civil society sectors to develop its agenda for the next two decades. Participants at the “Energy for all – financing access for the poor” conference explored innovative financing mechanisms that can help countries and regions implement their energy plans. In addition to organizing the conference, Norway launched its Energy+ Initiative, which aims to help mobilize private capital and public resources in support of Sustainable Energy for All.

Electric Drive Transportation Association

Governor Welcomes Solar Maker SunEdison To Cali

Posted on October 10, 2011 by quest

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today visited the new headquarters of SunEdison in Belmont to mark the company’s decision to establish their world headquarters in California. The company, currently headquartered in Maryland, decided to make the move following actions by Governor Brown and the Legislature to create a friendlier business environment in California.

“SunEdison’s decision to relocate to California is proof that, working together, state government and business can find ways to cut red tape, tackle our environmental problems and create jobs,” said Governor Brown. “Locating the SunEdison headquarters in California, the largest energy market in North America with a longstanding commitment to renewable energy, positions us to support better our customers,” said Carlos Domenech, president of SunEdison. “Being in Silicon Valley gives us access to a wider talent and companies that are motivated to solve the supply and demand challenges that electric power faces. California has long been a trendsetter in technology, business innovation and caring for the environment. Being here will help us to make solar a viable and meaningful source of energy.”

Video Governor Brown in Belmont California

SunEdison globally it produces more than 260 MW of solar energy capacity, has 450 operational sites, and has delivered 730,529 MW onto the grid. In California, SunEdison currently has 278 solar project sites. As a result of the move, SunEdison will bring approximately 200 employees from Maryland, adding to the existing 100 employees they currently have in California. They plan to create approximately 300 new jobs over the next five years.

Government A Backer Of Innovation And Clean Energy

Chicago Approves Urban Farm and Nature Preserve

Solar Business Going To The Dogs

Posted on October 9, 2011 by quest

Nestle Purina PetCare unveiled the region’s largest private solar array at its Flagstaff, Arizona pet food manufacturing facility. The solar array, designed and installed by REC Solar, represents the latest step in Nestle Purina’s commitment to being a leader in environmental performance and sustainability. U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, a native of Flagstaff, led a dedication ceremony at the plant, where nearly 1,900 glistening solar panels span over 70,000 square feet on the rooftop. The solar array will take advantage of Arizona’s average of 300 days of sunshine annually to produce emission-free solar electricity.”This Nestle Purina solar project is good for the environment, good for the community, and good for business,” Rep. Gosar said. “It’s an excellent example of collaboration between private industry and federal and state entities, with long-term benefits for all stakeholders. It’s encouraging to see major companies like Nestle Purina working hard to produce their products in an increasingly environmentally responsible manner.”

“The 427-killowatt solar PV system will produce nearly 12 million kilowatt hours of clean, emission free solar electricity over its lifetime,” said Cary Hayes, Director of Business Development for REC Solar. “This production volume offsets over 16 million pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to planting more than 40,000 trees.” REC Solar is one of the oldest and largest national solar integrators in the country, operating in six states. In addition to installing the Flagstaff solar array, REC partnered with Purina for the 2008 installation of a solar array at the Nestle Purina Denver pet food facility, the nation’s first major pet food plant to pilot a solar energy array. Nestle Purina Flagstaff, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2010, produces many of the world’s most popular and trusted pet food brands, including Purina ONE beyOnd, Purina Cat Chow and Purina Beneful brand. In 2008, Nestle Purina Flagstaff joined the Northern Arizona Renewable Energy group. Through the Arizona Public Service (APS) Green Choice program, the Flagstaff facility and other participants purchase a portion of their electric usage generated from a variety of renewable resources like wind and solar.

After Rep. Gosar spoke at today’s event, he participated in a “Purina-style” ribbon-cutting, conducted with the help of a 9-pound Papillon named Primo. The small dog, who took first place in last week’s national agility competition at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, traveled from Phoenix with his owner, Roger Coors, to take part in the celebration.

Why Americans Like Solar

JinkoSolar Greening Up Haining China Facility

Posted on October 8, 2011 by quest

JinkoSolar a San Francisco 49ers sponsor today announced the completion of its phase I environment safety upgrade at its facility in Haining City west of Shanghai in the Zhejiang Province of China. Zhejiang Jinko Co., Ltd. a wholly owned subsidiary of JinkoSolar, conducted a thorough investigation of its temporary waste storage unit adjacent to the manufacturing facility with an independent Chinese Environmental Agency as an immediate response to concerns after fluoride was discharged into a nearby waterway due to unforeseen extreme weather conditions. Fluoride is a highly water-soluble component and the small amount released from the Zhejiang site diluted within days. The Huffington Post reported in mid September,“Police detained at least 20 people after hundreds of villagers protested last week, some storming the factory compound and overturning vehicles. Authorities said the factory had failed to address earlier environmental complaints and that the protests followed mass fish deaths in late August due to runoff from heavy rains.“

“The company‘s management team has very high standards and remains strongly committed to corporate social responsibility,” said Arturo Herrero, Chief Marketing Officer of JinkoSolar. “JinkoSolar is dedicated to serving the local community through generous contributions to local primary schools in China and solar electrification projects in Sudan and Tanzania,” added Herrero.

JinkoSolar says it has taken necessary steps to establish appropriate protocols and prevention plans for extreme weather conditions and now imposes regulations that are stricter than the industry standard. Jinko is a member of the PV Cycle Association and a recipient of the Cleantech Driver Award from the Deutsche Cleantech Institut.

Electric Vehicle Entrepreneur EMW

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Going Solar

Posted on October 7, 2011 by quest

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is preparing to take a huge step forward with renewable energy. Following a careful selection process to which a large number of regional and national companies responded with proposals, the Zoo has selected Third Sun Solar of Athens, Ohio to develop a solar energy system designed to meet the Zoo’s energy needs and serve their conservation-oriented mission. For more than a decade, the company has custom designed and installed over 300 solar energy systems for its commercial, institutional, government, and residential customers across the Midwest. In taking this step, the Zoo is launching their plan to host one of the largest non-profit solar energy systems in the nation—perhaps the largest solar zoo installation in the U.S.

“The Zoo is very excited about this solar array partnership and the multiple benefits its implementation will afford us over the upcoming years,” said Terri Kepes, Vice President of Planning and Design for the Columbus Zoo. “As a conservation organization with a Board-approved Environmental Sustainability policy, we recognize that this major alternate energy project will allow us to conserve natural resources, be fiscally responsible and educate our community.” The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 9,000 animals representing 675 species and provides more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium hosts more than two million visitors annually and was named the #1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.

While the design and planning process has already begun, construction won’t occur until 2012. This high profile project will not only be an on-site power plant, but will serve as an important educational feature and a very visible icon of sustainability for the Zoo and its partners.