SunShot to Advance Solar Development In America

Posted on April 13, 2011 by quest

As part of the SunShot Initiative, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the selection of up to $112.5 million over five years for funding to support the development of advanced solar photovoltaic (PV)-related manufacturing processes throughout the United States. The Department’s SunShot Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships will help the solar power industry overcome technical barriers and reduce costs for PV installations, help the U.S. regain the lead in the global market for solar technologies, and provide support for clean energy jobs for years to come.

“Expanding the U.S. solar energy industry is an important part of the Administration’s goals to diversify our electricity supply and rebuild America’s manufacturing base to create jobs now and in the future,” said Secretary Chu. “The SunShot Initiative will not only keep the United States at the forefront in solar energy research and development, but will help us win the worldwide race to build a solar manufacturing industry that produces solar systems that are cost competitive with fossil fuels .”Today’s investments are part of DOE’s SunShot Initiative, which aims to reduce the total costs of photovoltaic solar energy systems by about 75 percent so that they are cost competitive at large scale with other forms of energy without subsidies by the end of the decade. Achieving this goal – equivalent to approximately $1 a watt or roughly 6 cents per kilowatt-hour for utility systems – would allow solar energy systems to be broadly deployed across the country.

The SunShot program will also fund $25 million to the Bay Area PV Consortium (BAPVC) to spur industry-relevant research and development to impact high volume PV manufacturing using a competitive selection process open to all universities. This project, managed by Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, will develop and test the innovative new materials, device structures, and fabrication processes necessary to achieve cost effective PV modules in high volume production. The research will advance technologies that bring down manufacturing costs and improve device performance characteristics to help achieve SunShot’s price targets. An industry board composed of representatives from PV companies will determine the specific topics for research and development to assure close alignment with industry and manufacturing needs.

GREEN CAREERS

Solar Key Says Jobs For The Future Community College Report

Posted on April 11, 2011 by quest

Jobs for the Future (JFF) today released three new publications examining innovative ways community colleges are serving their students, communities, and emerging workforce needs. JFF develops, implements, and promotes new education and workforce strategies that help communities, states, and the nation compete in a global economy. In more than 200 communities across 43 states, JFF improves the pathways leading from high school to college to family-sustaining careers.

Informed by research from the MetLife Foundation Community College Excellence Award program and other JFF initiatives, the briefs highlight effective examples of preparation in mathematics and for careers in health care and the green economy. Each offers new perspectives on the issue of college and career readiness. “Across the nation, community colleges are leaders in providing educational and career opportunities for students of all ages and supporting local economic development,” said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “The profiles of innovation in these publications provide good news for students and the future of America’s workforce.”

“Community colleges are instrumental in preparing, retraining, and reenergizing the U.S. workforce for the 21st century,” said Marlene B. Seltzer, president and CEO of Jobs for the Future. “The colleges featured in these briefs provide prime examples of creative solutions that specifically address community-based challenges.” The report highlights community colleges development in developmental math healthcare training and going green. The emerging and expanding green economy has the potential to create not just jobs, but career opportunities across the United States as green manufacturing, products, and services fuel demand for workers at all skill levels. Community colleges are leading the way in defining and addressing these opportunities, developing programs in expanding fields from solar energy to green construction; creating new and better training programs for green jobs; and developing educational pathways that lead to the Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees that are key for advancing in these emerging careers.

GREEN WEBINARS

SunPower City Alliance Offers Solar In San Jose

Posted on April 8, 2011 by quest

The City of San Jose and SunPower Corp. today announced that it is offering rebates to all San Jose homeowners and small business owners on purchases of a new, high-efficiency SunPower solar system. In addition to discounts on SunPower high-efficiency solar systems, this new comprehensive solar program offers homeowners free educational workshops through the City of San Jose, access to solar loans through designated financial institutions and introductions to qualified SunPower dealers who will conduct a free, no obligation solar evaluation. “We are proud to partner with SunPower on this innovative program to encourage new solar installations in San Jose,” said Mayor Chuck Reed. “These incentives will make it possible for more homeowners and small businesses to enjoy the financial and environmental benefits offered by solar energy.”

SunPower, based in San Jose, is an active member of the community and supports many local events each year. Last fall, the company announced plans to expand in San Jose and will move into its new, three-building facility to accommodate planned, long-term growth later this spring. “The SunPower City Alliance program makes it easy and affordable for those considering installing new solar systems at their residence or workplace,” said Tom Werner, SunPower CEO. “We are pleased to offer our neighbors this attractive opportunity to install the highest efficiency solar panels on the market today, with the highest reliability and guaranteed performance.”

SunPower’s broad Alliance Solar Program was launched in 2007 and is open to organizations and businesses wanting to partner with SunPower to educate their members or employees on the benefits of solar, and offer them rebates on a high-efficiency SunPower solar system.

BUILDING GREEN

Solar Energy A Vision That’s Real

Posted on April 6, 2011 by quest

Without a vision there is no mission; without a mission there is no action. The vision of a world being powered by solar energy might seem impossible – but it makes sense to seek a way to make it possible.

Man on the Moon
In most cases, the impossible is in fact feasible, if we just try. If you had asked in the 1950s whether it was possible to send a man to the moon, people would most likely have laughed in your face. Only a little over a decade later it happened. Although there are some skeptics who still believe it all happened in a Hollywood studio… but who can blame the disbelievers? In the USA anything is possible.

Now, let’s take a look at solar PV. All of the last decade’s forecasts in global market growth have been surpassed. With the exception of the somewhat modest growth experienced during the “crisis-year” 2009, 2008 to 2010 saw the global market growing an astonishing 100%. Numerous markets, for example Italy and Germany, have demonstrated that a growth rate of over 100% is indeed very feasible. So, if they are in a position to do so, more countries will hopefully follow suit. It is a proven model. The solar industry is growing with increasing speed – so fast, in fact, that analysts are worried about an oversupply situation this year for solar cells and modules. The “Impossible” Scenario

SOLAR EVENTS

Solar In The Mix In Obama’s New Energy Policy

Posted on March 30, 2011 by quest

We meet here at a tumultuous time for the world. In a matter of months, we’ve seen regimes toppled and democracy take root across North Africa and the Middle East. We’ve witnessed a terrible earthquake, catastrophic tsunami and nuclear emergency batter a strong ally and the world’s third largest economy. And we’ve led an international effort in Libya to prevent a massacre and maintain stability throughout the broader region.

As Americans, we are heartbroken by the lives that have been lost as a result of these events. We are moved by the thirst for freedom in many nations, as well as the strength and perseverance of the Japanese people. And of course, it’s natural to feel anxious about what all this means for us.
One area of particular concern has been the cost and security of our energy. In an economy that relies on oil, rising prices at the pump affect everybody – workers and farmers; truck drivers and restaurant owners. Businesses see it hurt their bottom line. Families feel the pinch when they fill up their tank. For Americans already struggling to get by, it makes life that much harder.

But here’s the thing – we’ve been down this road before. Remember, it was just three years ago that gas prices topped $4 a gallon. Working folks haven’t forgotten that. It hit a lot of people pretty hard. But it was also the height of political season, so you had a lot of slogans and gimmicks and outraged politicians waving three-point-plans for two-dollar gas – when none of it would really do anything to solve the problem. Imagine that in Washington. The truth is, of course, was that all these gimmicks didn’t make a bit of difference. When gas prices finally fell, it was mostly because the global recession led to less demand for oil. Now that the economy is recovering, demand is back up. Add the turmoil in the Middle East, and it’s not surprising oil prices are higher. And every time the price of a barrel of oil on the world market rises by $10, a gallon of gas goes up by about 25 cents. The point is, the ups and downs in gas prices are usually temporary. When you look at the long-term trends, though, there will be more ups than downs. That’s because countries like India and China are growing at a rapid clip. And as two billion more people start consuming more goods, and driving more cars, and using more energy, it’s certain that demand will go up a lot faster than supply.

GAIN INSIGHT

California Sets Solar and Renewable Energy Goals

Posted on March 29, 2011 by quest

Today’s passage of SBX1-2 by the California State Assembly is “a major boost” for jobs, clean energy and the state’s economy, says the Independent Energy Producers (IEP) “We appreciate the support of the renewable energy developers, environmentalists, labor and health organizations who worked tirelessly for this victory.” SBX1-2 by Senator Joe Simitian (D–Palo Alto) requires that 33 percent of the state’s energy come from renewable sources by 2020. Previously, the goal was 20 percent by 2010.

“This landmark legislation will help put Californians back to work and provide the clean electricity needed to power our economy into the future,” said Jan Smutny-Jones, Executive Director of IEP California. “The jobs and investment created by SBX1-2 are a major boost for our economy — and a signal to the nation that California is still the innovative leader when it comes to clean, green energy.”While increasing the amount of energy from renewable sources, SBX1-2 also protects system reliability, fosters resource diversity, and produces the greatest environmental benefits for California residents. Over 45 energy, labor, environmental and health organizations joined IEP in supporting SBX1-2, including the California Wind Energy Association, AFSCME, Sierra Club California and the American Lung Association of California.“SBX1-2 will generate billions of dollars in investment, create thousands of jobs and foster local economic development,” said Smutny-Jones. “We appreciate the support of the renewable energy developers, environmentalists, labor and health organizations who worked tirelessly for this victory.”

IEP is California’s largest association of electricity generators, representing over 26,000 MWs of power or about one-half of California’s peak needs — about eighty percent of the renewable energy being delivered in California.