Kendall Jackson Winery Has A Taste For Solar Power

Posted on April 10, 2012 by quest

U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson and local business leaders convened today at Kendall-Jackson’s Wine Center to celebrate the company’s commitment to sustainability and unveil the solar cogeneration system, now supplying solar hot water and electricity to power the winery’s extensive tank and bottle washing operations.“Our founder Jess Jackson was a trailblazer who made sustainability a core part of Kendall- Jackson’s DNA largely through innovation,” said Kendall-Jackson’s Vice President of Sustainability Robert Boller. “We’re thrilled to take this leadership position with Cogenra by installing the largest rooftop solar electricity and hot water rooftop system to date and two upcoming installations at our other production sites. It’s a win for the environment and our bottom line.”

Cogenra partnered with local installer SunWater Solar to construct the array on the roof of Kendall-Jackson’s Kittyhawk winery. The solar cogeneration system provides up to 60 percent of the building’s hot water needs, with the electricity powering lighting and cooling. In addition to this initial solar cogeneration project, Kendall-Jackson will install Cogenra arrays at their Vinwood estate in Sonoma County and an additional winery in Monterey County. Expanding on Kendall-Jackson’s existing energy and water conservation projects, the 96-module, 241kW hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) and thermal array is expected to save approximately $30,000 in annual energy costs.

“The wine industry, and especially Kendall-Jackson, have been leaders in the sustainability movement,” said Gilad Almogy, CEO of Cogenra Solar. “Solar cogeneration is quickly becoming one of the industry’s most effective tools to maximize the impact of solar energy production to meet both electricity and hot water needs. We commend Kendall-Jackson for their sustainability leadership and look forward to deploying future projects.”“This partnership between two great California companies is proof that business can boost the bottom line while helping the environment,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson. “Innovative new energy technologies, like Cogenra’s, and smart, progressive businesses, like Kendall-Jackson, will drive job creation in the years ahead.”

Don Cheadle Attending Sustainable Meeting In New York City

California Reaches Milestone of 10,000 Green Homes

The Roof The Roof The Roof Is All Solar

Posted on April 9, 2012 by quest

U.S. Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., recently presented Gloucester Marine Terminal officials with an award letter announcing an $11 million federal tax credit rebate for the recently-completed groundbreaking new rooftop solar power plant project, the largest of its kind in North America. Known as Riverside Renewable Energy, LLC, the $42 million project consists of 27,526 photovoltaic rooftop solar panels covering 1.1 million square foot of rooftop at the Gloucester Marine Terminal, which is owned by the Holt family. It has the capacity to produce 9.0 MW of electricity – enough to power more than 1,500 homes. “The Riverside project is an outstanding example of how we can create jobs that move us towards cleaner, more efficient and cost-saving energy that doesn’t come from overseas,” said Congressman Andrews. “By partnering with the federal government, private industry is able to make strides that are good for job creation and the economy right now, and also for a cleaner, healthier and more energy efficient future here in South Jersey and the country.”

“A lot of things had to happen to make this project come together, and we enjoyed great teamwork from conceptualization through installation and onto completion,” said Leo Holt, President of Gloucester Terminals, LLC. “This project positions Gloucester Terminals for future success in an incredibly competitive field and helps ensure plenty of activity for the Delaware River port community.” The Riverside project sits atop the roof of the Terminal’s refrigerated warehouse near the Walt Whitman Bridge on the Delaware River. Operating on a “24/7″ basis to service food importers, the Terminal is the largest on-dock refrigerated warehouse on the East Coast and a very large user of electricity. Construction on the solar project began in June 2011 and was completed on budget and ahead of schedule last fall.

Riverside will generate the equivalent of up to 80 percent of the Terminal’s power demand. The system is expected to offset more than 8,100 tons of carbon dioxide, approximately the same amount that would be offset by planting 400,000 trees or removing 1,200 cars from the road. In addition to the Holt family, the Riverside project is a partnership involving SunPower, a global solar technology company that designs, manufactures and delivers the highest efficiency, highest reliability solar panels and systems available today; Rabobank, a leading global bank and financier of renewable energy.

Governor Brown Announces $120 Million Settlement to Fund

Electric Car Charging Stations Across California

Green Icon Van Jones Speaks To Rebuild The Dream

Posted on April 5, 2012 by quest

It is encouraging to see figures like Bay Area green Icon Van Jones lay out such a clear and compelling case for business, environmental and social change. Last week Jones a co founder of Green for All and former White House green jobs advisor took his Rebuild the Dream tour to Los Angeles. The week before he was in Hawaii where the tour started. Yesterday Jones the author of the New York Times Best seller, “The Green Collar Economy” released his new book Rebuild the Dream.

Interviewed recently on Democracy Now by Amy Goodman and by CNN‘s Soledad O’Brien Jones said, “I’m probably the only person in American life who was a grassroots outsider, who became a White House insider — I was there for six months — and then I became a grassroots outsider again,” Jones says. “What I saw when I was there, and after, is this massive misunderstanding between the insiders in that building, the insiders in D.C., and the outsiders that help to elect those folks, and huge missed opportunities for positive change.”

Van Jones reminds me of a current day Ceasar Chevez, Martin Luther King and Saul Alinsky all rolled up into one. In his new book he says, “The destruction of America’s middle class is meeting with angry opposition in the streets. The protest wave began in February 2011. It was powered by public fury over union-busting legislation proposed by Tea Party governors in Wisconsin and Ohio. In the summer of 2011, hundreds of thousands took to the streets in every U.S. congressional district to rally against devastating budget cuts under the slogans “Jobs Not Cuts” and “Save the American Dream. Then, on September 17, a few hundred activists calling themselves Occupy Wall Street pitched their tents in Manhattan’s financial district. Their daring tactic captured the imagination of millions in America. The boldness of their action ignited a passion for change in hundreds of other cities in the United States and around the world. The tiny spark that was struck in the Wisconsin winter became a national and even global prairie fire by the end of the year.” Van Jones will speak at the San Francisco Common Wealth Club on April 19, 2012.

Electric Vehicles Zipping Around Chicago

President Obama Signs the JOBS Act

Amy Smart Honors Claremont As A “Green City”

Posted on April 3, 2012 by quest

Actress Amy Smart, a leader in young Hollywood environmental circles, presented the award to Mayor Sam Pedroza and members of the City Council at a recent State of the City luncheon. “Claremont, we salute you as a city that both talks and walks a green, sustainable lifestyle! You are an invaluable role model for other cities,” Ms. Smart said in her congratulatory remarks. Joining her in the presentation were representatives from California Green Communities’ founding partners — the Environmental Media Association (EMA), Southern California Edison (SCE) and Green Seal. “Claremont is showcasing what a city can do to improve its residents’ quality of life,” Ms. Smart said. “California Green Communities fosters and recognizes innovative ways for participating cities to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption, while building vibrant, sustainable communities. The economic and health benefits for each city are enormous. Claremont is a leader among southern California cities who are modeling sustainable practices for others.”

“Our City takes its commitment to sustainability seriously,” remarked Mayor Pedroza. “It is a priority for the City Council and it is a consideration in every project and program we provide. Achieving the Silver level status validates the tremendous work this community has done.”To reach the Silver level, Claremont committed considerable resources to a broad variety of sustainability-related projects and programs. Efforts included: making energy efficiency and water conservation improvements to city facilities, converting its fleet to cleaner fuels, encouraging bicycling and walking through education and new construction, and encouraging water wise landscaping and local gardening efforts.

To participate in the California Green Communities program, cities develop unique action plans to identify environmentally sound practices and projects they will adopt and implement involving energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, renewable and alternative fuels, efficient transportation and so forth. At various completion points, they reach Silver, Gold and Platinum status in the program. City action plans can be viewed at www.CaGreenCom.org. One of the City’s more innovative programs is a homeowner assistance program designed to encourage home energy retrofits. Nicknamed CHERP (Claremont Home Energy Retrofit Project), the program helps homeowners upgrade older homes with energy-saving measures such as insulation, HVAC optimization, lighting upgrades and even solar panels. In conjunction with the program, the City is retrofitting many of its own facilities and recently installed solar panels at its City Yard. In addition to Claremont, the cities of Monrovia, Riverside and Santa Clarita have reached California Green Community Silver status. Other cities participating in the program – Culver City, Los Angeles, Redlands, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Simi Valley and Ventura – are making progress in the program as well. More cities in Southern California are expected to join the program in 2012.

Flat Earth Society In The Dark On Solar Energy

Earth Hour Searching For Urban Climate Champion

Posted on March 29, 2012 by quest

Cities in Canada, India, Italy, Sweden and the United States will be invited this year to participate in an Earth Hour City Challenge, urging them to take a leadership role in the global transition towards a low carbon economy.“Cities currently account for over 70 per cent of global CO2 emissions – so their leadership in reducing emissions will be crucial if we are to avoid escalating levels of climate change” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.“But there are exciting opportunities for cities that approach this challenge with creativity and determination. Cities can be hotspots for innovations that help people lead more fulfilling lives with much lower carbon footprints. The Earth Hour City Challenge aims to highlight these examples, and the leading role cities around the world can and must play in transitioning towards a one-planet future.”

Sweden’s third largest city Malmö took top honours in the Earth Hour City Challenge pilot last year, identified as an inspiring example of how a city can demonstrate low-carbon urban development. Malmö has achieved this through consistent and long-term planning, a comprehensive approach to energy, construction, transportation and densification and by promoting enabling environments for innovation and sustainable lifestyles.“In contrast to failed global climate negotiations, many cities can demonstrate concrete progress in transitioning towards a low-carbon future. Malmö is one of these cities, and aims to assume the role of a global green leader”, says Ilmar Reepalu, Mayor of Malmö. “But our work is not quite finished yet. Our goal is for Malmö to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by the year 2030.” Cities are invited to submit inspiring and credible plans for low-carbon development and for dramatically increasing the use of sustainable, efficient and renewable energy solutions for review by an international jury. Once reporting closes on November 19, the international jury will select five national champions and one Global Earth Hour Capital of the year to be announced to the world in March 2013.

Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour. More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.” Earth Hour 2012 will take place on March 31, 2012 from 8:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. (local time)”

U. S. Issues Findings On Solar Trade With China

Maui Brewing Hops Solar Powered

Posted on March 27, 2012 by quest

Conegra Solar the renewable energy company backed by Khosla Ventures recently partnered with Maui Brewing Co. to install Hawaii’s first PV and solar thermal system to power brewing process. “We were searching for a way to maximize the space on our roof. Cogenra’s solar cogeneration technology was the perfect match, producing both electricity and hot water in one compact design,” said MBC founder Garrett Marrero. “Cogenra’s solution helped us maximize our ROI and minimize our environmental impact.”Cogenra’s solar cogeneration array will provide MBC with solar hot water and electricity, enhancing the brewery’s sustainability leadership while reducing energy costs.

The 24-module, 60-kilowatt (kW) rooftop system will occupy less than 2,400 square feet and support the brewery’s existing 100kW solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, supplying renewable electricity for pumps, packaging and cooling. The solar hot water generated will feed directly to the facility’s Clean-in-Place (CIP) and brewing processes.The first of Cogenra’s installations in the State of Hawaii, constructed together with Green Global Communities, the installation will be commissioned in the second half of 2012. The dual energy benefits of Cogenra’s solar cogeneration solution provides a cost-effective solution for Hawaii businesses looking to combat the region’s high operating, labor and energy costs.

“Any business that uses a lot of hot water can profit greatly from solar cogeneration, whose hybrid technology provides two benefits: solar hot water and solar electricity. Customers in Hawaii, with ample sun exposure and high energy costs, are at a special advantage,” said Gilad Almogy, CEO of Cogenra Solar. “Maui Brewing has recognized the unique benefits and cost advantages of our hybrid technology and we are thrilled to provide our solution as part of their sustainability plans.” Conegra also supplies electricity for The Sonoma Wine Company.