Arizona Deserts Key to Solar Power

Posted on December 22, 2010 by quest

Abengoa Solar announced today that it has finalized $1.45 billion financing to build Solana, the world’s largest parabolic trough concentrating solar plant which will generate 250 net megawatts (MW). A parabolic trough is a type of solar thermal energy collector. Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar, stated, “Solana is the first large scale CSP plant for Abengoa Solar in the U.S. and will be a key milestone for our development in this country as it allows us to strengthen our relationships with the local community as well as with the state and federal public authorities that have contributed notably to this project.” Abengoa Solar signed a power purchase agreement with Arizona Public Service Co, Arizona’s largest electric utility, to buy the energy produced by Solana for a period of 30 years.

The plant will be located 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, near Gila Bend, Arizona. Solana will produce enough energy to serve 70,000 households and will prevent the emission of 475,000 tons of CO2 per year compared to a natural gas burning power plant. The construction and operation of Solana will bring many economic and environmental benefits to Arizona and will support the nation’s goals for energy independence through a “green” economy. Abengoa Solar estimates that the Solana project will create between 1,600 to 1,700 new construction jobs and over 85 permanent jobs. Approximately 98 percent of the jobs created by the project will be American jobs, primarily in Arizona, in addition to neighboring states. Furthermore, around 75% of the equipment and supplies required to build Solana will be manufactured in the U.S.

In late 2009 Abengoa Solar signed a power purchase agreement in California to supply electricity generated by a 250 MW net CSP trough plant located in the Mojave Desert, 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The company also has several projects under development in the Southwest.

VISIT THE GREEN NEWS WALL

DOE to Fund $50 Million in Solar Energy Technologies

Posted on December 20, 2010 by quest

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the Department’s intent to fund up to $50 million to test and demonstrate innovative technologies that will lead to cost-competitive solar energy technologies. The demonstration program will be a critical link between the Department of Energy‘s advanced technology development programs and full-scale commercialization efforts. The Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) will serve as a proving ground for cutting-edge solar technologies, such as concentrating solar thermal power and concentrating photovoltaic energy, which can be used for utility applications in the Southwestern United States where there is an abundance of solar energy.

“This funding will allow the Department to further test advanced and innovative solar energy technologies in real-world conditions, providing critical data for companies and communities looking to invest in large-scale solar projects,” said Secretary Chu. “The Solar Demonstration Zone in Nevada is part of an integrated effort to expand the solar energy industry, helping to put America on a path to a sustainable energy future and create the jobs of the 21st century economy.”

The Department expects to announce the Funding Opportunity Announcement early next year. Potential technology applications include Concentrated Solar Power systems that use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight on a heat absorbing fluid, convert it to steam, and ultimately generate electricity, as well as Concentrated Photovoltaic Power that uses lenses to concentrate sunlight to improve the efficiency of conventional photovoltaics. The demonstration projects as part of the Solar Demonstration Zone will be deployed at a large enough scale to provide useful operating and economic data for the eventual deployment of solar energy projects at utility-scale, which are typically grid-connected projects larger than 20 megawatts.

SUSTAINABILITY

California Approves Innovative Solar Program

Posted on December 17, 2010 by quest

Today the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted unanimously to approve a new program designed to drive small to mid-sized renewable energy development. Called a “Renewable Auction Mechanism” (RAM), this next-generation feed-in tariff program will require investor-owned California utilities to purchase electricity from solar and other renewable energy systems up to 20 MW in size. Solar advocates and industry representatives applauded the CPUC for its innovative approach to helping California meet its renewable goals and build a strong new energy economy.

“This program is a thoughtful design that helps keep the state on track with its renewable energy obligations and goals but in a cost-effective and pragmatic way. We are very excited about the significant opportunity it provides solar developers”
“This is an elegant program that will drive significant new development in small to mid-sized renewables in California. The approach builds on best-practices to deliver cost-effective solar on-line quickly, in a way that delivers sustained value to ratepayers. In combination with California’s 80,000 behind-the-meter solar systems and the Renewable Portfolio Standard that is driving large-scale projects, this program pioneers a new approach to wholesale distributed generation. At scale, solar is more cost effective than the fossil fuel alternatives. All it takes is the right market mechanism to turn the opportunity into reality, and we thank the Commission and Commission staff for their vision,” said Adam Browning, Executive Director of Vote Solar, a non-profit organization working to make solar a mainstream American energy resource.

BIOMASS TAKING OFF

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

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.