More Solar for Furnisher IKEA

Posted on December 16, 2010 by quest

Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president has announced plans to install solar energy panels on two East Coast stores: Paramus, New Jersey and Stoughton, Massachusetts. Pending governmental permits, rooftop installation will begin in the new year, with completion expected in Spring 2011.“We are excited about this investment by IKEA in using renewable energy on the East Coast to complement our recently announced plans in California.This approach is consistent with our commitment to sustainable building practices and reducing our carbon footprint. We always are open to environmental technologies and are thrilled our evaluation deemed these projects feasible for IKEA.”

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer. The plans bring the number of U.S. IKEA locations that will have a solar energy system to a total of 13. These two systems will represent the largest store-top solar installations for IKEA in the U.S. The announced plans to install solar energy panels on two East Coast stores: Paramus, New Jersey and Stoughton, Massachusetts. Pending governmental permits, rooftop installation will begin in the new year, with completion expected in Spring 2011. These two systems will represent the largest store-top solar installations for IKEA in the U.S. In terms of U.S. sustainable building practices, IKEA already has: solar energy systems operational in Brooklyn, NY, Pittsburgh, PA and Tempe, AZ – with installation underway on programs at eight locations in California. Additionally, solar water heating systems exist in Charlotte, NC; Draper, UT; Orlando, FL; and Tampa, FL; and a geothermal system is incorporated into the store being built and opening Fall 2011 in Centennial, CO.

The Paramus, NJ and Stoughton, MA stores will be outfitted with solar energy systems. IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect for nature, strives to be a good business while doing good business and reflects an operating model designed to minimize impacts on the environment. Other sustainable efforts include: integrating innovative materials into the production process; working with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources; flat-packing our goods for an efficient distribution system; recycling approximately 75 percent of waste (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); and incorporating environmental measures into the construction of our buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, low volatile organic compound emitting paint, skylights in the warehouse, and water-conserving restrooms.

ECO FRIENDS SHOPS

America Increasing Solar Power

Posted on December 15, 2010 by quest

“Solar is a global industry. The U.S. imports and exports product from every continent. But in addition to being a major net exporter of solar energy products, the industry is creating significant wealth in the United States and jobs in all 50 states,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. “We’re pleased that the solar industry is helping to reduce the U.S. trade deficit through significant exports of solar energy products. We are seeing investments in U.S. manufacturing in areas of the country hit hard by the recession – Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio and others. But we’re concerned that there is a lack of stable, long-term federal policies in the U.S. amidst an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Even modest federal policies like expanding the 48c manufacturing tax credit can help the U.S. solar industry remain one of the few sectors of our economy that is a net exporter, while creating tens of thousands of jobs,” said Resch.

The Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research just released the most comprehensive study to date analyzing trade flow and domestic value creation in the U.S. solar industry. “U.S. Solar Energy Trade Assessment 2010” found the U.S. solar industry is a significant net exporter of solar energy products, with net exports totaling $723 million in 2009. Additionally, U.S. solar installations created $2.6 billion in direct value to support the U.S. economy.

“This report provides the most comprehensive outlook on U.S. solar energy value creation and trade flows ever published,” said Shayle Kann, Managing Director, Solar at GTM Research. “In addition to examining the location of final assembly of solar products, it considers earlier steps in the value chain and non-component costs such as installation labor, system design and permitting. These factors, which make up more than half of total system costs, are a vital part of any solar project.”

GREEN WEBINARS

Greenleaf Gets More Biomass Power in California

Posted on December 14, 2010 by quest

Biomass renewable energy company, Greenleaf Power has reached an agreement to purchase Colmac Energy. Colmac is a 47-megawatt facility and is one of the largest biomass facilities in California. It has operated the Southern California plant since its construction and initial start-up in 1992 and sells its electrical output to Southern California Edison under a long-term agreement. The plant is fueled primarily using clean diverted wood waste, green waste and agricultural residues.

Greenleaf Power is focused on the acquisition and development of power plants fueled by residual biomass feedstock. Colmac is the third biomass acquisition by Greenleaf Power. Earlier this year, Greenleaf purchased the 30-megawatt Honey Lake biomass plant in Wendel, CA as well as a 28-megawatt biomass plant in Scotia, CA.

Hugh Smith, president of Greenleaf Power said, “The Colmac facility is a significant acquisition for Greenleaf Power. It will be a flagship plant for our growing fleet which now totals over 100 MW of capacity – and will provide the critical mass necessary to leverage the synergies that naturally result from the ownership of multiple facilities.” Greenleaf Power acquires, develops, owns and operates power projects that utilize residual biomass as fuel. Greenleaf Power currently owns and operates approximately 60 megawatts of biomass generating assets in California. Greenleaf Power has established independent management and recently relocated its corporate headquarters from Illinois to Sacramento, CA.

Greenleaf Power is backed by Denham Capital, a leading global energy-focused private equity firm. Biomass power plants use controlled, low-emission conditions to generate electricity. In addition, biomass facilities divert waste from landfills and displace the greenhouse gas emissions of the methane that would result from the decomposition and decaying of organic materials from landfills, forest accumulation or composting.

WATER CONSERVATION

George Washington Carver Goes Solar

Posted on December 13, 2010 by quest

George Washington Carver Elementary School of Lexington Park, Maryland begins breaking ground today on the installation of a large scale solar electric system supporting Maryland’s St. Mary’s County Public School system (SMCPS). Once completed, the elementary school’s system is expected to generate approximately 677,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in its first year of operations, representing 80 percent of the school’s energy needs. The amount of clean energy the system will produce in its first year is equivalent to taking 105.5 cars off the road each year. St. Mary’s County Public School system (SMCPS) received a grant from Maryland Energy Administration specifically designed for the development of solar electric projects on public buildings in Maryland. The array will be installed by Standard Solar a full-service development, installation of solar electric systems for commercial, government and residential customers, and its joint venture financial partner Perpetual Energy Systems.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) recently completed construction on a Gold LEED elementary school where every aspect of the building is a teaching tool and is relevant to the curriculum including photovoltaic panels, a wind turbine, two 15,000 gallon cisterns for the harvesting of rainwater, and attention to the environmental sensitive sites in which the school has been carefully placed to preserve endangered species. Additionally, SMCPS has a green school mobile classroom that travels to each school to support the curriculum, and has a mascot, Wattson, who works with students to promote energy conservation and recycling efforts and educates students on the importance of natural resources.

George Washington Carver Elementary School serves approximately 551 students from the age of 3 to Fifth Grade. G.W. Carver is designated as a Title I school. This distinction is based on the percentage of Free and Reduced Meals (73%) received by students. As a result, G.W. Carver is the beneficiary of both state and federal money to help supplement the county funded budget.

SOLAR CHRISTMAS TREES

GROWING URBAN FARMING

Cities Confront Climate Change in Cancun

Posted on December 12, 2010 by quest

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, “COP 16 marked a defining moment for local governments’ critical role in addressing the devastating impact of climate change,” said Executive Director Martin Chavez.”The ICLEI USA Delegation combined forces with over 150 mayors worldwide to ensure that the next global climate deal empowers local governments and to show that local government voluntary actions can be measured and verified. Local governments are change agents for climate action, from planning to implementation, leading by example and stimulating demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as driving private sector investment that spurs clean technology and innovation. While modest agreements were achieved this year in Mexico, there is no doubt that local governments continue to lead the way on climate action.” ICLEI was founded in 1990 as the ‘International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives‘. The Council was established when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York.

After two weeks of sometimes tense and difficult negotiations, nations set aside their differences and joined forces to develop a shared global approach to addressing the threat of climate change. This is a remarkable achievement and an encouraging turn of events that resulted in considerable progress to advance climate action. All of the delegation members, international NGOs, business NGOs and Local Government representatives that worked tirelessly and contributed to achieving a final positive outcome are worthy of tremendous admiration and praise.

“Although everyone would have hoped for a much stronger climate agreement that would be legally binding and sets clear targets and reductions; the world’s most powerful economies came together in a last-minute effort to honor the pledges set forth in Copenhagen, while agreeing to create an important funding mechanism to help developing nations address the climate change crisis,” said Mayor Patrick Hays of North Little Rock, AR. “ICLEI USA applauds the world community for recognizing, for the first time, the crucial roles of local governments in fighting climate change – as local governments are now recognized by delegate nations as “government stakeholders.” ICLEI welcomes this recognition, and simultaneously calls on the international community to follow the lead of local governments who have been on the front lines of climate change for the past 20 years,” added Mayor Hays.

GO ORGANIC

Oil Man Gets Smart Goes Solar

Posted on December 12, 2010 by quest

Steve Holdaway has been named president of Chapel Hill, NC, based Academy Solar. Academy Solar is a residential and commercial solar energy design and installation company. In this role, Holdaway will lead the company in overall strategy, financial management and oversee the commercial sales sector of the business.

We are confident that as president, Steve will continue to lead Academy Solar into a successful business,” said JW “Wild Bill” Stealey, partner and head of residential sales at Academy Solar. “Founding a new company in this economy will be difficult, but we feel that there is a strong market for solar energy in North Carolina, and with so many state and federal tax incentives, it is a great time for homeowners and business owners to consider alternative energy sources.”

Holdaway, a former oil executive along with three other partners, founded Academy Solar on the belief that it is important to secure a more sustainable energy mix for the future. Academy Solar is the only firm of its kind in the southeastern United States that allows customers an online calculator to estimate a firm, final price for their solar energy installation with complete cash flows, payback, expected real energy production and anticipated environmental benefits that their system will produce.