Solar in Vegas Baby

Posted on October 31, 2010 by quest

Nevada Senator Harry Reid in a tight race himself against Sharron Angle had time to breakground for a new solar manufacturing plant in Nevada. The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and attended by dignitaries including U.S. Representative Shelley Berkley, Nevada State Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, and City of North Las Vegas Mayor Shari L. Buck. The clean energy company Amonixreceived a competitive Recovery Act tax credit of $5.8 million to open the 214,000 square foot facility where concentrating photovoltaic cells (CPV) will be manufactured. The project will create Approximately 300 new jobs in the city of North Las Vegas. Amonix designs and manufactures concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems used in sunny and dry climates.

In remarks Senator Reid said “But I know just recovering won’t satisfy Nevada. We want to prosper. We want to lead. We want to be the envy of the world.“That’s why we’re not just creating jobs. We’re creating green jobs. Jobs that can never be outsourced. Jobs that will make Nevada the leader in producing and exporting renewable energy. There is simply nowhere better in the world to generate solar energy than right here in Nevada.

Now we have to turn that energy into jobs.“That’s why I made sure the Recovery Act included almost $6 million in tax credits to help Amonix open this facility. Our investment has helped bring in much more private capital to make this possible. That’s exactly how the stimulus was supposed to work. So the next time you hear someone say the Recovery Act isn’t working, tell them to come here. They should talk to the nearly 300 Nevadans who will be working here every day.   “By next summer, hundreds of Nevadans will be making solar modules right here in this building and even this manufacturing facility is green. Amonix received a $5.8 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act competitive manufacturing tax credit, legislation Senator Reid and Congresswoman Berkley championed, to open the new facility. The company said that it has begun hiring area residents to fill management, technical and production jobs, and that 135 local construction workers will build out the facility over the next few months.

DRIVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES

GE to order tens of thousands of Electric Vehicles

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

In a move that will put some confidence into the future and sustainability of the reborn electric vehicle industry; Word out of London is that General Electric will order tens of thousands of electric vehicles. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt was speaking from London and said it will be the largest order in history. GE is a global powerhouse and diversified technology, media and financial services company. They are already in power generation including solar and wind energy. Rachel Layne and Alan Ohnsman reporting for

SunPower on Colorado Solar Ranch

Bay Area based SunPower just announced an agreement with Iberdrola Renewables to design and build a 30-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant on 216 acres of private land in Colorado’s Alamosa County. Expected to be fully operational by the end of 2011, construction will begin this year and create approximately 100 jobs. Iberdrola Renewables is developing the solar ranch, and will own and operate it. The company will sell the electricity under a long term contract to Xcel Energy, for distribution on the region’s utility grid. The project will create employment opportunities and provide revenue for schools, health, fire, and other critical services in Alamosa County.

The plant will use SunPower E19 solar panels, mounted on SunPower(R) Tracker systems. SunPower Trackers tilt the solar panels toward the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing energy capture and providing more power on hot summer days when utilities need it most.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

The Power of India

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

A new report called “Indian Power Sector Analysis”, indicates there is a huge demand for power in some Indian states due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Electricity is vital for economic development of a country. The Indian electricity market today offers one of the highest growth potential for private players. Government reforms will be the key factor driving the power sector. Reforms such as The Electricity Act and National Electricity Policy will give impetus to the Indian power sector.

The report conducted by RNCOS a leading market research firm also revealed that alternative energy sources such as nuclear, wind and solar will fulfill a large chunk of India’s energy needs in the coming years. Many states are formulating exclusive policies for renewable energies in order to promote and develop these energy sources. RNCOS E-Services’ report focuses on the growing power sector in India. It thoroughly investigates the current market trends, evolving markets and growth prospects for the power industry. It will help interested parties to analyze the driving forces and leading-edge opportunities critical to the success of the power industry.

Based on the study of the Indian power sector, the report discovered that the total installed capacity will add around 45000 MW by 2013-14. However, demand is much higher than supply with a deficit projected to be more than 12% during 2010-11. The report also found that renewable energy creates huge opportunities for power generators as the commitment to generate clean energy and environmental obligations have become top priority for most of the nations around the world. However, coal based power will remain the dominant source for energy in India.

JAMES CAMERON ON PROP 23

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Yo New York City greens up and so does Yo Valley

Posted on October 28, 2010 by quest

Let’s give it up for green city New York, New York. Just a few days ago Mayor Bloomberg and other city officials broke ground on a new municipal recycling facility in Sunset Park that will process all of the city’s metal, glass and plastic recyclables. The opening represents another step for New York in going green. The Sims Municipal Recycling Facility on the Brooklyn waterfront will minimize the distance that collection trucks travel between pick-up sites and receiving centers and allow Sims to expand its barge and rail-based transport systems which will eliminate over 260,000 vehicle miles traveled annually from New York City roadways. The project will create 100 new jobs when the facility is opened, which is expected in December 2011; with 11,000 more to follow over the next 10 years.

“This state-of-the-art facility is another great example of repurposing our Brooklyn waterfront. And we’re not just talking trash here – this facility will promote recycling, take garbage-hauling trucks off our already overburdened streets and highways, and create jobs as well,” said Borough President Markowitz. “It’s a win-win for everybody, and proves yet again why, when it comes to recycling, Brooklyn and New York City make everyone else ‘green’ with envy.”

Selldorf Architects of the project designer created the facility to be sustainable. It includes green roofs, renewable solar and wind energy production, on-site stormwater treatment, and landscaping that serves to offset heat and provide a pleasing visual aesthetic for the surrounding community. The project will revitalize Brooklyn’s waterfront industrial space, improve pedestrian access to the waterfront by adding 22 acres of new open space, and reduce truck traffic throughout the region by 70,000 truck trips annually. An onsite Visitor Education Center will welcome school groups and visitors who can learn about recycling. It will operate 24 hours a day, six days a week.

YO VALLEY

Like the green movement we know that rap music has spread around the world. French, Chinese and rappers from India all have some swag and lay it down for real. But Yo Valley (Yeo Valley)…who knew, organic farmers rapping from England? I guess it was time for the song “Ole MacDonald had a Farm” to get a makeover…E i… E i… O !

Write a story: A Green Renaissance

SunRun continues taking solar mainstream

Posted on October 27, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based solar leasing company SunRun just announced an influx of tax equity from an affiliate of U.S. Bancorp to develop 1,900 residential solar installations. SunRun recently relocated to larger offices in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district to house its growing staff. “U.S. Bancorp has been a fantastic long-term partner and instrumental in helping SunRun provide affordable and hassle-free solar to thousands of homeowners.” said SunRun CEO and Co-founder Edward Fenster. With this additional financing, SunRun will continue to change the way Americans power their homes by delivering solar as a clean, affordable, renewable service. SunRun owns and maintains each homeowner’s solar system for the life of the agreement, while homeowners simply pay monthly for the power they use. The company can help homeowners acquire a solar power system for as little as $0 down. Customers can save 10-15% on total monthly power bills right away and the savings increase as utility rates increase.

Very recently SunRun completed a project financing fund with PG&E Corporation to support the purchase of approximately 3,500 residential solar facilities, tripled the size of its bank lines, and closed additional funding led by Sequoia Capital. It recently received the Department of Energy Green Power Leadership Award, as well as inclusion on the Cleantech Group’s Global Cleantech 100 list and the GoingGreen Silicon Valley Top 100 List.
SunRun, provides an alternative for homeowners who want to go solar without a large upfront investment. They are currently doing business in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. SunRun partners with local solar installers who complete the onsite homeowner projects.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Is there really green in green jobs?

Posted on October 26, 2010 by quest

That has been a recurring question. Given the current state of the economy. It is particularly interesting in retrospect to listen to an interview QuestPoint n The Mix had with leading author and Green Career Expert Carol McClelland last year where she lays out an assessment of where the green age is relative to the Industrial age.

In his article, “The Wrong Debate on Green Jobs” Environmental Strategist” and author Andrew Winston suggest, “A new green economy is just that – a whole new economy, with job openings at all skill levels, from truck drivers to inventors of new battery chemistry. The solar or wind installer is just the tip of a very large iceberg that’s coming our way.” Andrew Winston starts off

Wind turbine training for a new generation of energy

Ask anyone knowledgeable about wind energy, and you’ll quickly learn that the latest “green” technology – despite a recent surge in public interest – is nothing new to union ironworkers. As more and more wind turbines are erected across the open plains, farmlands, and mountain ridges of the United States, the need for ironworkers with specialized construction skills has naturally grown, says the Iron Workers International Union.

In fact, ironworkers have been erecting wind turbines for decades. What is new is a need for independent certifications-driven largely by increased scrutiny of the wind energy sector – meant to improve safety and quality across the industry. In response, the Iron Workers International Union (www.ironworkers.org) – working with the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) – is offering wind turbine training programs for union ironworkers to develop key construction skills. Through a new IMPACT (www.impact-net.org) program, certification in torque/tension and tower-climbing and safety procedures, including high-angle rescue procedures, comes from industry-recognized leaders, including