Innovations make solar mainstream and affordable

Posted on December 4, 2010 by quest

Atlanta area based solar manufacturer Suniva who was just recently awarded $15 million of working capitol from Export-Import Bank of the United States and was part of President Obama’s U.S. – India Innovation Roundtable held in Mumbai; was just named as the Commercial Technology of the Year at the 2010 Platts Global Energy Awards. Suniva CEO and Chairman John Baumstark accepted the award at a black-tie gala in New York. The award honors companies that practically apply new technology in the pursuit of efficiency, business advantage and profit.

Established in 1999, the Platts Global Energy Awards highlight corporate and individual innovation, leadership, and superior performance in 17 categories spanning the entire energy complex. Nearly 600 energy industry executives from 18 countries attended the event. A prestigious panel of judges selected finalists from more than 200 entries. “We wish to thank Platts for this incredible recognition,” said Suniva CEO and Chairman John Baumstark. “We are extremely proud to receive this honor, particularly given the caliber of entrants and finalists. Suniva will continue to innovate and commercialize our technologies to further harness the power of the sun around the globe.” The solar industry is evolving. Solar cell manufacturers’ products are either low-cost and low-efficiency, or high-cost and high-efficiency cells. Platts honored Suniva for bridging this divide by creating high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells. Its technical sophistication has allowed the company to continually improve its performance, and its commercial success is evident, in the fact that the company is sold out well into 2011, with exports to Europe and Asia amounting to more than 80 percent of its sales.

“The awards judges were impressed by Suniva’s innovative cells and their contributions to moving solar into the mainstream and making solar sensible for anyone who has power needs and access to sunshine,” said Larry Neal, president of Platts. “This year’s record number of entries and finalists in the energy efficiency and technology categories underscores the industry’s increasing commitment to developing environmentally-conscious solutions to the world’s supply needs.”

GREEN VIDEOS

PlanetSolar heading to Climate Summit in Cancun

Posted on December 3, 2010 by quest

PlanetSolar the world’s largest solar powered boat continues its a round-the-globe expedition and is now heading for Cancun and the UN World Climate Summit. PlanetSolar is a pioneer for sustainable energy technology on water. The goal of the PlanetSolar team is to be the first to circumnavigate the globe in a “solar” boat, one powered by a silent, pollution-free electrical engine, driven exclusively by solar energy.

With this project the PlanetSolar team intends firstly to show that current technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency are reliable and effective, and secondly to advance scientific research in the field of renewable energy. Reporting on events from the Climate Summit in Cancun Ashley P. Lau, of MarketWatch writes

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

On Your 40th Anniversary Thank You EPA

Posted on December 2, 2010 by quest

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins , Green For All - Forty years ago today, the Environmental Protection Agency was created. It’s fitting that the anniversary falls just one week after Thanksgiving, because every American from every state should be grateful for the Agency’s work.

Consider that by 1990, the EPA’s actions had prevented 205,000 premature American deaths, 189,000 cardiovascular hospitalizations and 18 million child respiratory illnesses. The EPA has reduced 60% of dangerous air pollutants in the air we breathe. They have transformed 67% of contaminated Superfund Brownfield sites nationwide into livable neighborhoods and active business centers. In the four decades of its existence, millions of lives have been impacted by the EPA.

Including my own. As I relayed in my introductory post here, I grew up in a community where “affordability” was a code word for low income and high pollution. The industries responsible for earning the region the dubious distinction as the worst place to live in the Bay area weren’t likely to prioritize public health – nor was a local government desperate to keep any and all employers. That’s where the EPA comes in

GO MOBILE

Solar and eco friendly marine technology benefit environment

Posted on December 2, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based Hornblower Cruises & Events has signed off on a multi-million dollar project with Statue Cruises for Derecktor Shipyards in Bridgeport, CT to complete the world’s first Hybrid Ferry using Hydrogen fuel by April 2011. Hornblower Cruises & Events is the concessioner authorized by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior to serve the public at the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.

The New York Hornblower Hybrid follows the 2008 launch of the San Francisco Hornblower Hybrid, the United States’ first hybrid ferry. San Francisco-based Hornblower Cruises & Events created both vessels. The new 1,400-horsepower Hornblower Hybrid will run on a combination of energy generated by clean Tier 2 diesel engines, hydrogen fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines. Power will come from a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that turns hydrogen into electricity. In addition, solar panels and wind turbines will help power the vessel. Efficient Tier 2 diesel engines kick in to cover additional energy needs.

Terry MacRae, CEO of Statue Cruises and Hornblower Cruises & Events said “We expect this pioneering project to inspire continued industry innovations. By combining hydrogen, solar and wind power, Hornblower will minimize its environmental impact as we transport guests to popular national landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Our goal is to reduce emissions to the greatest extent possible, with a goal in the future to eliminate them entirely during a cruising day. “We expect this pioneering project to inspire continued industry innovations. The technology on the Hornblower Hybrid is now scalable for other hybrid ferries, hybrid yachts and even hybrid tugs. Some may say we are at the turning point in modernizing marine technology and Hornblower plans to be leading the way.”

GREEN VIDEOS

Sustainable Food Revolutionary Planting Across the Nation

Posted on December 2, 2010 by quest

Was it John Turenne that has everyone ablaze with talk of childhood obesity, parents demanding healthier lunch choices, farm-to-fork programs, the revamping of the Childhood Nutrition Act and more? These topics might be fresh and new to many, but not to John Turenne, President and Founder of Sustainable Food Systems, who has been championing the sustainable food movement for years. Turenne and his team are determined to continue to bring about positive changes and healthier food options for all while advancing the Food Revolution across the nation.

In fact, just last year Turenne worked directly with Jamie Oliver on the Emmy-winning show Food Revolution. Behind the scenes, Sustainable Food Systems worked hand-in-hand with Oliver, the school cooks and administration, and the community to transition the food service in the 26 schools in the Cabell County, WV school district. The results not only won an Emmy for the show, but continue to bring about positive changes in schools. Jamie Oliver says, “John Turenne and the team at Sustainable Food Systems were a massive help. I absolutely couldn’t have done it without them. I wish we had Sustainable Food Systems here in the UK.”

Turenne was also invited to work with White House Chef Sam Kass and a small group of chefs nationwide to create the national Chefs Move to Schools initiative, part of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign to address the childhood

Upsolar and Focused Energy Re-up solar agreements

Posted on December 1, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based Upsolar, a leading international solar module supplier, today announced it signed a 6 MW distribution agreement with Focused Energy, a wholesale distributor of residential and commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) products. Troy Dalbey, Managing Director of Upsolar America Inc., said “Upsolar has been a trusted module supplier in Europe for years, and we’re now building a leadership position in the developing North American solar market. Gaining access to Focused Energy’s broad customer base is an important part of that story. The more North American customers are aware of our products – and recognize that our modules are backed by an industry-leading warranty and performance guarantee – the more growth we can expect.”

Focused Energy will offer Upsolar’s line of modules to its North American customers throughout 2011. In June Focused Energy began shipping Upsolar’s modules on a trial basis and opted to expand the distribution agreement for 2011.“Our goal is to enable solar integrators to meet any customer need, which means aligning ourselves with technology providers who can offer an assortment of attractive solar options. Upsolar’s module customization options, including Zep frames and AC-enabled junction boxes, make the company an ideal partner,” Paul Benson, Focused Energy CEO, said. “We are also drawn to Upsolar’s commitment to quality and affordability, and we’re convinced the company will be a valuable asset to our distribution portfolio for years to come.”Upsolar’s “Excellence at Each Step” approach to manufacturing allows it to realize unusually high quality standards.