Solar And Silver Investing

Posted on July 16, 2012 by QuestPoint

Analysts and politicians would lead you to believe that our economic outlook is still souring, however they aren’t telling the whole story because of their own agendas. The global economic outlook is actually positive, with manufacturing steadily on the rise, unemployment down and the crisis in Europe will undoubtedly experience easing through stimulus efforts.Add that to the fact that the value ratio of gold to silver is completely out of whack right now, and you have a winning recipe for silver to respond bullishly, and a potential wealth creation for investors of the precious metals market. Stephen M Smith who is the managing member at Smith McKenna has been accurately predicting macroeconomic trends and following the precious metals market for over two decades. Smith firmly believes that silver is going to emerge as the leader in the next few years, potentially making a lot of people very wealthy.

It’s the perfect time to invest in silver. Mostly because its current mid $20s spot price is attractively affordable for first time investors, creating low barriers to entry and risk, but also because if we can count on history repeating itself like it always does, silver will close the roughly 58 to 1 ratio gap to gold, being underpriced, to a more common and predictable say 30 to 1. The key however is to own the physical asset, rather than derivatives, futures and ETF’s.

Most people put off learning how to invest in silver and other precious metals due to fear or uncertainty, but really they should be a part of anyone’s investment portfolio because of diversification, investment quality, and as a hedge against inflation. Commodities are not infinite in supply, and silver is largely tied to its industrial demand and applications. Silver is a necessity metal and is used in all kinds of electronic, pharma, and solar panel production. Above ground supply of silver is limited, only up just over 1% last year according to The Silver Institute, and with global production of these products not slowing down it’s likely going to create scarcity; driving the price of silver due north.

War On Coal Charged

The World Is Going Solar

Posted on July 5, 2012 by QuestPoint

For anyone who still believes solar power systems are a passing fad. Check this… the City of San José and SolarCity, a national leader in clean energy products and services, have completed the first of a series of 16 solar power projects totaling nearly 2.5 megawatts, and are evaluating 14 additional sites for potential projects later next year. Installations at Kelley Park, the Police Activities League Sports Center, a municipal water office, and a service yard are complete.

Yes it’s true California has become the new mecca for solar installations. Aided by the fact that California is committed to producing 33% of the state’s energy through renewable energy by 2020 as mandated by AB 32. The law serves as an example of what’s needed to spur innovation and acceptance of solar energy. Another shinning example of solar success is Sullivan Solar Power who was awarded San Diego’s Small Business of the Year. San Diego currently stakes claims as the solar capital of the nation with more solar power systems and capacity installed than any other city in the country. But wait a minute keep an eye on Vietnam who earlier this year held, “the first Vietnam – US open seminar on solar energy transfer components and material which took place at Norfolk hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was held by the Institute of Applied Materials Sciences in coordination with the National Science Foundation – International Materials Institute at Northwestern University. The seminar drew the participation of Vietnamese scientists and many international scientists from the US, Australia, Republic of Korea and Japan. Many attendees were young scientists who represented companies that create equipment to analyse and survey material and components and produce thin-film solar cell components.

While remote villages in Africa may not be the most expected place to find solar, IndiGo is shining light on unheard of locations through a “Pay As You Go” solar program which allows rural villagers to generate their own power via a photovoltaic panel and battery pack. They can then purchase the produced energy for as little as $1 a week. This unique program has caught the eye of Soluxe Solar, a Connecticut-based solar company. The IndiGo program receives this week’s Soluxe “Solar Flare” – a weekly honor the company bestows on an individual or company making great strides in the world of solar advancement.

Electric Bus To Loop University of Utah

Posted on July 3, 2012 by QuestPoint

The University of Utah has placed an order for a 40-foot, all-electric transit bus with BYD Company Limited (BYD) the largest manufacture of all-electric buses in the world. BYD’s long-range, all-electric, “GreenCity” buses have been running worldwide in commercial fleet service for the last two years. BYD’s GreenCity fleets have accumulated over 14 million miles using BYD’s internally developed electric drive technologies and Iron-Phosphate battery systems. BYD will supply one all-electric GreenCity bus to be retrofitted with WAVE’s wireless charging pad under the bus, developed by the Utah State University Energy Dynamics Laboratory, one of the leaders in wireless power transfer for vehicles. This technology will allow the BYD electric buses to pull up over an embedded charger in the asphalt with a maximum of 10 inches clearance and “opportunity charge” the waiting bus with no moving parts or unsightly wires required. The funds to test a full in-service operation of WAVE’s wireless power charging system were provided through a Federal Transit Administration grant awarded to the Utah Transit Authority.

The new BYD 40-foot GreenCity electric bus will be the first shuttle to be allowed to run across the heart of campus – a 1.7 mile loop route between the South Campus TRAX station north to the Warnock Engineering building with midway stops at the Student Union buildings. The bus runs will be timed to pick up passengers coming off eastbound trains on a 15-minute cycle. The driver will position the bus over the charging pad during several minute wait periods between runs. The embedded charge pads measure about three feet square and pose no danger to the public. Nothing protrudes above the surface to be damaged by cars, snow plows or vandals. At the core of the BYD’s GreenCity bus technology are BYD’s Iron Phosphate batteries. The BYD battery boasts the highest safety, longest service life and most environmentally friendly of all rechargeable chemistries.

“We will be the model of zero emissions rapid transit for the Nation,” said Alma Allred, the University of Utah’s Director of Commuter services. “We want to be in the forefront of technology that reduces the need for fossil fuels and has zero noise and zero pollution.” “Our electric GreenCity bus has proven that it not only significantly reduces pollution in large cities, but it has also reduced operating expenses versus Natural-Gas and Diesel buses by up to 70% — there are no internal-combustion engines to maintain and service—no engines to rebuild over the life of the vehicles”, stated Micheal Austin, Vice President of BYD America. “BYD is proud to be a part of this wireless power transfer project with WAVE ,the University of Utah and the Utah Transit Authority – we applaud their visionary leadership.”

Panama And California Laying A Path For Sustainability

Urban farming growing as popular summer pastime in NYC

US Postal Service Planting Green Roofs

Posted on July 2, 2012 by QuestPoint

The U.S. Postal Service recently celebrated another example of environmental leadership as local officials announced a green roof atop the Colvin-Elmwood Post Office. The 11,300 square foot green roof will be built at no cost to the Postal Service through an innovative sustainability partnership with Onondaga County, NY. “The Postal Service continues to lead the way when it comes to making a positive impact on the environment,” said Chief Sustainability Officer, Thomas G. Day. “We’re pleased to be collaborating with the good people of Onondaga County on our second green roof, which will help the Postal Service conserve water and energy in the Syracuse metropolitan area.”

Working cooperatively with Onondaga County’s Save the Rain initiative, the Colvin-Elmwood Post Office’s roof was deemed structurally sound to support the additional weight of the soil, vegetation and other requirements of a green roof. The green roof will consist of a new membrane, layers of drainage sheet, mat, separation fabric, indigenous vegetation and a wind blanket. The green roof plan fits perfectly into the Postal Service’s commitment to create sustainable spaces and facilities wherever possible. The green roof also addresses practical concerns. The roof’s expected lifespan is up to 50 years, twice as long as the roof it will replace. It also will reduce the amount of contaminants in storm water runoff flowing into Syracuse’s municipal water system.

“At more than 11,000 square feet, the Colvin-Elmwood green roof will be one of the largest in New York,” said Day. “The Colvin-Elmwood green roof will help us meet our goals to reduce energy usage 30 percent by 2015 and greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020.”The Colvin-Elmwood green roof is part of the Postal Service’s greener facilities strategy, which includes the use of environmentally friendly building components, renewable materials, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC, low volatile organic compound parts, low-water use fixtures and solar photovoltaic systems. In the last 12 months, the Postal Service also has expanded its recycling program in Central New York to include mixed paper and cardboard, resulting in nearly 1,055 tons of materials recycled in the past year. With more than 700 postal locations, including Post Office locations in Syracuse and Central New York, and with a recycling rate of 95 percent, District Manager, Edward F. Phelan, Jr., noted the Albany district is one of the Postal Service’s first Zero Waste districts.

Nissan LEAF Backs Into The Future

Cali And Panama Conference Targets Renewable Energy

Posted on June 12, 2012 by QuestPoint

The 9th annual Global California Conference will be held at the San Jose City Hall this year on June 22nd. The topic is Panama and the Canal Expansion and its impact on California job creation. One of the presentations is about great renewable energy projects and investment opportunities in the West Coast of the U.S., Panama, Latin America, the Caribbean and the World: Massive Opportunity: Impact Capital for Renewable Energy Projects.

“Panama is poised is poised to become a key player in trade between Latin America and North America as well as Asia. Its geographic location favors a number of possibilities for players and surrounding countries” says panel guest, Rodney Alves of Alves & Associates.
“Panama’s strategic location is a major global shipping and logistics hub. The massive infrastructure improvements underway, including additional Ports and the Panama Canal Expansion, enhance the importance of the U.S.‐Panama Free Trade Agreement”, states Alvaro Cabal Lachman, President of USPAW.

Notable dignitaries from Panama as well as California will be participating in the conference, such as, former Ambassador to Panama in Washington D.C, Juan Sosa, who is now the President of USPA, U.S., will be giving the ‘keynote’ speech. The conference is produced by TradePort, the Monterey Bay International Trade Association in partnership with the United States ‐ Panama Business Council West.

Nutiva Moving To San Francisco Bay Area

Will Solar Energy Generation Silence EV Critics ?

Posted on June 11, 2012 by QuestPoint

Hybrid and electric vehicles are neither clean nor green according to a new environmental book, Green Illusions (June 2012, University of Nebraska Press), written by University of California – Berkeley visiting scholar Ozzie Zehner. Green Illusions exposes numerous hidden side effects of new hybrid and electric cars, such as the Tesla, Leaf, Fisker Karma, and Prius. The analysis considers mining impacts, toxins, energy use, suburban sprawl and carbon footprints of production. From an environmental perspective, Zehner argues that hybrids and electric cars are no better than gasoline vehicles, a conclusion backed by a National Academy of Sciences report.

“Shifting from gasoline to electric vehicles is like switching a smoking habit from cloves to menthols,” asserts Zehner. “It isn’t acceptable for doctors to promote menthol cigarettes — should environmentally minded people promote alternative fuel cars?” In a California radio interview yesterday, Zehner pointed out that the higher cost of electric cars reflects the greater quantities of fossil fuels used to build them. He argued that electric cars do not eliminate the negative side effects of vehicular travel. They merely shift the problems elsewhere. Most electric vehicle studies compare traditional gasoline fuel to electric car charging, which relies primarily on coal, natural gas and nuclear power. However, fueling activities represent only a portion of a car’s total environmental impact. Zehner points out that the larger impact comes from manufacturing the car. The added copper, aluminum, rare earth metals and other materials necessary for electric car production offset any benefit achieved during the entire charging lifecycle.

Even if mining companies clean up their operations and engineers increase battery storage capacity there is still a bigger problem looming on the horizon, argues Zehner. “Alternative-fuel vehicles stand to define and spread patterns of ‘sustainable living’ that cannot be easily sustained without cars. Suburban infrastructure maintenance and road construction induce ecological consequences beyond the side effects of the vehicle itself.”Instead of subsidizing electric cars, Zehner advocates for lawmakers to support smarter urban design policies that focus on walking, bicycling and public transit.