Stage coach money from Wells going to solar

Posted on November 9, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based Wells Fargo is moving ahead to fund $100 million in the development of solar photovoltaic power projects throughout the U.S. with GCL Solar Energy Inc. GCL Solar Energy, also based in San Francisco, California, builds, owns, and operates solar photovoltaic power plants without the world. “Wells Fargo is proud to expand its commitment to growing the U.S. solar market by working with a respected industry player like GCL-Poly,” said Barry Neal, director of Wells Fargo’s Environmental Finance Group. “The solar projects developed by GCL Solar will create new jobs in the U.S. and help businesses and public entities better control their electricity costs.”

Wells Fargo has provided more than $2 billion in tax equity financing for renewable energy projects since 2006. That includes funding for 30 wind projects, more than 190 commercial-scale solar projects and 1 utility-scale solar thermal project. Financing provided by Wells Fargo will enable GCL Solar to cost-effectively provide a clean and reliable source of electricity to its customers, including schools, municipalities, corporations, and utilities. GCL Solar will build and operate solar power plants, and its customers will purchase the electricity under long-term power purchase agreements at rates equal to or lower than traditional utility rates.

Speaking for GCL Solar Hunter Jiang, Executive President said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Wells Fargo. With our continued commitment to bring green power to life and this provision of new capital, we stand ready to invest in the solar business and create more job opportunities in the U.S.” GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited (3800.HK) is China’s largest polysilicon producer, one of the world’s leading wafer suppliers, and a top green energy enterprise in China.

A NEW TREND ECOTOURISM

Machu Picchu best Ecotourism destination in South America

Posted on November 8, 2010 by quest

The Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru has been awarded South America’s Leading Green Destination by the World Travel Awards at the recent 17th Annual World Travel Awards Ceremony in Jamaica. Machu Picchu was chosen over eight nominees, which included Argentina’s Patagonia, Guyana’s Georgetown, Venezuela’s Caracas, and Brazil’s Abrolhos.
Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel Industry’s equivalent to the Oscars,” the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and prestigious awards program of today’s global travel industry, and involves a voting campaign of about 185,000 travel professionals worldwide. The ancient citadel, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of scenic architecture in the world.”This award shows that Peru’s tourism sector has a great impact on the economic, social and environmental development of the country,” said Promperu’s Tourism director Rocio Merino.

“The Lost City of the Incas,” it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.The city of Machu Picchu itself was built at the top of a granite mountain. The Incas, using ingenious engineering techniques, were able to transport heavy stone blocks up the mountain side, and once there, they used their excellent masonry skills to produce amazingly polished stones that fit together perfectly. Machu Picchu “Old Mountain”, is a located 7,970 above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru which is 50 miles northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Experts believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca empero Pachacuti.

Machu Picchu has three primary buildings which are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu.

MACHU PICCHU

ECO FASHION

Obama selects Suniva for US-India Innovation Roundtable

Posted on November 8, 2010 by quest

Metro-Atlanta based solar maker Suniva was part of President Obama’s U.S. – India Innovation Roundtable. The roundtable, held in Mumbai, was part of the President’s first official visit to India. Suniva was the only solar company invited to participate in the roundtable discussion. “It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the premier examples of collaboration between India and U.S. business, as well as to have the opportunity to discuss with the President recommendations for continuing to develop business relationships with India,” said Bryan Ashley, chief marketing officer for Suniva. “Exports are key to the growth of the U.S. economy. Strengthening the economic and innovation bonds with India will result in greater export opportunities for businesses, which in turn will create new jobs in both countries.” New York-based Curtis Instruments was also invited to the conference. Through its partnership, with India based Mahindra Reva; Curtis provides key technology used in advancing the commercialization and adoption of ‘clean’ electric vehicles in India and across the globe.

In a speech at the US-India Business Council summit after the panel, President Obama heralded Suniva as an example of U.S. businesses that are deepening trade relations through its work with Indian customers. Suniva’s high-efficiency solar cells and modules have been used in some of the most pioneering projects in India. The company recently announced that its solar cells power a 3 MW solar farm in Karnataka, one of the largest grid-connected solar fields in India. Suniva solar cells are also used in the first 1 MW rooftop solar array in India, built on the roof of the new Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. In addition, multi-megawatts of cellular phone towers in India are now Powered by Suniva and leading Indian solar module manufacturers use Suniva’s high efficiency cells to make their panels more efficient and competitive in other world markets, including Europe, Asia, and the U.S.

ECOTOURISM

PlanetSolar on world tour heading for Miami

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

After a four days stopover, the largest solar powered boat, PlanetSolar left Las Palmas. After its stay on the Canary Islands the solar catamaran continues its transatlantic crossing, setting course for Miami. The boat is expected in Miami by end of November / beginning of December. For the 1st solar boat expedition has commenced and the longest leg since the start in Monaco at the end of September. The goal of the PlanetSolar is to circumnavigate the globe driven exclusively by solar energy.

The current routing around the globe (subject to suitable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and returning to Monaco. The project PlanetSolar will inform the public about the importance of sustainability and
renewable energies. PlanetSolar has already made technological developments possible in many fields such as the production of composite materials and structures, and also the production and storage of solar energy (or electricity). Each stage in the project and each day that PlanetSolar sails will enable science to progress. At the heart of this project is the conservation of our planet by the promotion of solar energy, energy efficiency and eco-mobility. This is a great occasion to advance knowledge and to inform and make the general public aware of the importance of renewable energy

Planet Solar has an impressive group of supporters such as IMMOSOLAR, Candino Swiss Watch, SunPower and Jean Verne, Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne who writes, ” In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an “extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds,” I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.”

The leading-edge solar catamaran (without flaps) boosts 31m in length, 16m in width, and approximately 540 square meters of solar panels as the solar generator. The specially developed energy storage should permit the boat to move for approximately 3 days and nights without sunlight. The MS
TÛRANOR PlanetSolar was designed by the extraordinary designer and constructor Craig Loomes and his company LOMOcean (New Zealand). It has been built by high-performance yacht builder Knierim, based in Kiel (Germany). The boat is navigating under Swiss flag.

PLANETSOLAR ON WORLD TOUR

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Singapore Airlines committed to environment

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

Singapore Airlines Cargo has signed a three-year agreement for Pratt & Whitney’s environmentally friendly EcoPower engine wash service. The washes will be performed by Eagle Services ASIA, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company, for the airline’s PW4000-94″ engines powering its fleet of Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft.

Tan Kai Ping, President of Singapore Airlines Cargo said, “We are committed to continually improving our environmental performance.” “EcoPower engine wash will help us achieve this by reducing our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel burn.”
“Pratt & Whitney is excited to provide Singapore Airlines Cargo with a quick and effective way to further advance its environmental performance,” said Andrew Tanner, vice president, Product Line Management, Pratt & Whitney.”EcoPower engine wash provides quantifiable environmental and economical benefits. This is demonstrated by the more than 15,200 washes performed on 54 different engine models.”

Singapore Airlines Cargo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines formed in 2001, is one of the world’s largest operators of B747-400 freighters. Singapore Airlines Cargo flies more than 600 flights a week throughout its network of over 70 cities in more than 30 countries around the world.

Pratt & Whitney’s patented EcoPower engine wash system reduces fuel burn by as much as 1.2 percent, eliminating approximately three pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every pound of fuel saved, while also decreasing engine gas temperature thus increasing the amount of time an engine can stay on wing. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.

ENVIRONMENT

Solar innovations just keep on coming

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

The solar innovations just keep on coming. This year saw the introduction of solar powered mobile phones into India and on the African continent. There’s even been talk about a solar powered iPhone. Now from some very forward thinking consumer electronic companies comes a solar powered laptop and a solar HD camcorder. From AU Optronics LCD panel maker has introduced a 14-inch solar-powered touch keyboard solution for notebook computers. The solar module is built within the notebook’s cover and keyboard panel to absorb both sunlight and electric light, and lowered the use of electric power by 20%. The specially designed transparent touch keyboard enables users to readily move about their fingers and control the images for the enjoyment of trendy technology, the company said. This solar-powered touch keyboard notebook solution will be showcased on November 10 at the upcoming FPD (Flat Panel Display) International 2010 during November 10-12 in Chiba, Japan.

Another company Shezen Jetyo Technology has released a solar powered camcorder, Jetyo Solar Camcorder. You flip up a special panel, it collects solar energy from the opposite side of the screen using one panel on the flip-up lid and another on the back of the display housing. The solar panels charge four rechargeable AA batteries. The only problem is that recharging the batteries can take a long time. No word on Veranda Solar which was working on designing solar-power systems, made up of small (about 24-inch and 60- to 70-watt) panels with rounded corners, that consumers could install themselves.