Green Builder & Antelope Valley Launch First Solar Standard Community

Posted on July 7, 2011 by quest

The City of Lancaster and KB Home today announced the grand opening of an affordably priced new solar home community in Lancaster, California. KB Home’s Arroyo community is the first in the Antelope Valley to offer solar power systems as a standard feature on all new homes. During the grand opening event held today, the two partners unveiled this unique community that represents a giant step forward in the advancement of affordable solar technology for homeowners.

For its part, the City of Lancaster has long recognized the important role government can play in helping the environment. The advancement and research of solar and other similar technologies continues to be a priority for the City, as it works with companies like KB Home to drive innovation and enhance the lives of those who live in the community. In support of these goals, the City of Lancaster agreed to waive certain municipal development fees for the project and fast-tracked it through the approval process.”We are continuing to develop innovative solutions with KB Home. This private-public partnership is an example of what local governments throughout the nation should be doing in order to resuscitate their housing markets. We know we simply cannot sit back and wait for others to ‘fix’ the economy,” said City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.The opening of Arroyo is part of KB Home’s recently announced initiative to provide solar power systems as a standard feature for new homes in 11 of its Southern California communities.

“We believe that our continued partnership with the City of Lancaster has been extremely beneficial in advancing the use of emerging solar technology,” said Steve Ruffner, president of KB Home’s Southern California division. “The abundance of clear sunny days makes Lancaster the perfect place to own one of KB Home’s new solar homes. In addition to lessening a homeowner’s impact on the environment, the standard solar system may cut a homeowner’s energy costs by more than half.” The gorgeous ranch style homes, situated on ½ acre homesites, provide great room living and include up to five bedrooms, three bathrooms and three-car garages. Homebuyers have their choice of six single story floorplans ranging in size from 1,837 to 3,037 square feet. Pricing begin from the low $200,000s.

Solar satellites key to green energy

Top Artists To Perform For Solar and Renewable Energy In Japan

Posted on June 28, 2011 by quest

Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz, The Doobie Brothers, Tom Morello, John Hall, Kitaro, Jonathan Wilson, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and special guests are coming together for a special benefit event on Sunday, August 7, at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Proceeds from the concert will be distributed to Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) to support Japan disaster relief efforts, and organizations worldwide working to promote safe, alternative, non-nuclear energy. The presenting sponsor VantagePoint Capital Partners is the leading global investor in energy innovation and efficiency. The show will begin at 3 PM. Children 10 and under admitted free on the lawn with an adult ticket. Tickets are on sale at Livenation

“The disaster in Fukushima is not only a disaster for Japan. It is a global disaster. We come together now across cultural boundaries, political and generational boundaries, to call for changes in the way we use energy, and in the ways we conduct the search for solutions to the problems facing humanity,” says Jackson Browne. “We join with the people of Japan, and people everywhere who believe in a non-nuclear future.” “From solar power plants and next-generation wind turbines to energy-efficient LED lighting and electric vehicles, we see technology innovations solving our most important energy needs,” says Alan Salzman, Managing Partner of VantagePoint Capital Partners, a global leader in funding the transformative energy companies of the 21st century. “We join with the many artists involved in this concert to raise funds for the Japan disaster relief efforts and call for sensible and clean energy solutions.”

It was shortly after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan that the decision was made to coordinate a benefit. Shoreline Amphitheatre was chosen because of its close proximity to the Pacific Rim, Northern California’s history and deep association with Japan. “The MUSE concert will not only be a great show, it will hopefully entice the public to become better informed of the tremendous dangers of nuclear power,” says Graham Nash. “We have to keep real and true information flowing so that people can act on it.” “We’re so lucky to have been able to bring back some of the original MUSE team to collaborate with some new and younger artists for MUSE 2, so that we can immediately help with the Japan relief effort and raise funds and awareness for the no nukes issue,” says Bonnie Raitt. “I’m excited to be a part of this important and truly collaborative effort. It’s going to be a very special, one of a kind event.”

The concert stage will be powered by an integrated system of clean, alternative energy sources, using solar, biodiesel, and wind technologies. The energy-saving GRNLite LED lighting rig for the show has been donated by Bandit Lites, and Schubert Systems has donated the sound rig. In addition, Shoreline is the largest Green certified concert venue in the United States and is a founding member of the Green Music Group. One goal is that the concert will inspire musicians in other areas to organize shows that both employ and promote safe energy alternatives, and that raise funds for disaster relief efforts and for groups—local, regional, national, and international alike—advocating non-nuclear programs and initiatives.

ENERGY FROM THE WIND AND WAVES

Oregon Sustainability Center Solar and Ion Ready

Posted on May 25, 2011 by quest

SANYO North America Corporation and InSpec Group announce a new 679-kilowatt solar system to be designed and installed by InSpec for the Oregon Sustainability Center in Portland, Oregon. The project also includes a 30-kilowatt hour large-scale lithium-ion battery storage system, which will be connected in line with the rooftop PV system, capable of supplying DC electricity for applications such as LED lighting. InSpec will be managing the solar and smart energy system design and installation for the building which is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2013, and will employ SANYO solar modules and batteries.

“The Oregon Sustainability Center is proactive in their use of green building materials, and the choice of SANYO HIT modules makes sense, as they are perfect for these types of powerful rooftop system installations, where space is limited,” said Charles Hanasaki, president of the Solar and Smart Energy Division. “We value our partnership with InSpec because they share our vision of helping customers to achieve a reduction in energy consumption from non-renewable sources and improving efficiency of energy used.” Yasuyoshi Kawanishi, president of SANYO Solar of Oregon, LLC, added, “Living in Oregon, our engineers are inspired by sustainability, and it makes us proud that our work is becoming a part of Oregon, especially in a landmark building like the Oregon Sustainability Center.”

The Oregon Sustainability Center is planned to be a future home to Oregon’s leaders in sustainable business, government, and education. The structure is designed to be the greenest high-rise ever built, with locally-sourced building materials, its own energy generation and ways to collect and treat water on-site, qualifying it for Living Building Challenge certification, which requires meeting net-zero energy and water performance as well as toxin free, locally-sourced materials. The Oregon Sustainability Center will be a showcase for green building, green business and community development. The building will demonstrate sustainable practices and will offer ways to connect the community to state and local sustainability resources, including green job training opportunities.

SOLAR GOLF CART

Building the World’s Greenest Skycraper

Posted on May 24, 2011 by quest

The new Pittsburgh headquarters of PNC Financial building expected to set standard for green construction. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. announced today that it plans to construct the world’s most environmentally friendly skyscraper. The Tower at PNC Plaza will be located on the Southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and Wood Street, the same Pittsburgh intersection where PNC has been headquartered for more than 150 years. Once complete in 2015, the approximately 40 story building will serve as PNC’s executive offices. At approximately 800,000 square feet, the Tower at PNC Plaza would be PNC’s largest building in Pittsburgh. Tentative plans call for approximately 300 underground parking spaces, street level retail and green rooftops. Erecting the planned $400 million Tower should create 2,500 construction jobs, with 500 workers at a time on the site during peak periods.

PNC opened its first green building in 2000. At that time, the 650,000 square foot PNC Firstside Center, on Pittsburgh’s First Avenue, was the largest LEED-certified building in the world. In 2010, PNC opened Three PNC Plaza, on Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh, one of the largest LEED-certified mixed use buildings in the United States. PNC, which has more newly constructed buildings LEED-certified by the USGBC than any company on Earth, recently completed its latest green office building in Washington, D.C. LEED Platinum certified PNC Place at 800 17th Street sits just blocks from the White House and serves as PNC’s regional headquarters in the capital.The Tower at PNC Plaza will feature a double glass facade to enhance energy efficiency by reducing cooling costs and allowing natural airflow to the building. Using advanced sensors and metering, a state-of-the-art, high efficiency heating and cooling system will deliver conditioned air to specific zones of the building, as needed. The building will be oriented to take advantage of sunlight in workspaces, reducing the need for artificial light during the day.

The design team is also currently exploring fuel cells, solar panels, geothermal systems and other alternative power generation sources that will significantly reduce carbon emissions. The building’s green rooftops will collect rainwater and channel it for use in other parts of the structure, as well as reduce the heat gain associated with traditional rooftops.

PNC will own the building and occupy all of the office space, with tenants in the retail spaces at street level. The project is being designed by the Pittsburgh office of Gensler, the world’s largest architectural and design firm and the design architects for both Three PNC Plaza and PNC Place. Pittsburgh-based PJ Dick will serve as construction manager and U.K.-based Buro Happold will be the engineering firm. Paladino & Company of Seattle serves as the green building consultant.

DISCOVER SOLAR STOCKS

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to Speak at UN Energy Summit

Posted on January 12, 2011 by quest

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will address Heads of State and international delegates at World Future Energy Summit (WFES), a forum that promotes collaboration, innovation and investment opportunities in renewable energy, environment and clean technology. The summit will be held in Abu Dhabi from 17-20 January 2011, and hosted by Masdar.

The visit by the UN Secretary-General underscores the growing role the UAE and Abu Dhabi are playing in driving the global adoption of renewable energy and clean technology innovation. Through Masdar, a multi-faceted initiative advancing the development and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies, Abu Dhabi has demonstrated its long-term commitment to discovering a viable roadmap for sustainability. “Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our times,” added Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. “The world needs to find the renewable energy and clean technologies which can mitigate its effects and set the world on a path to more sustainable economic growth and prosperity. The search for these solutions requires collaboration between governments, academia, enterprise and civil society. The longer we delay, the more we will pay – in resources, economic competitiveness, and lives.”

“The Secretary General’s leadership in ensuring climate change is addressed within a global framework and at the highest level of international cooperation has lead to significant progress,” said Dr. Al Jaber. “His enthusiasm and personal dedication, is one shared by the UAE’s leadership who have placed significant emphasis in ensuring the advancement of renewable energy and climate change mitigation are core elements of our economic development.”

The fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi will be the world’s largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions, innovations, investments, policy and vision. WFES, held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, expects more than 25,000 attendees from around the world. The Summit that will cover a wide range of themes including energy policy, investment and funding, green buildings, clean transport, solar, wind and biofuels.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Half of GE fleet to be electric vehicles by 2015

Posted on November 12, 2010 by quest

In a move that will put some confidence into the future and sustainability of the reborn electric vehicle industry; General Electric has placed an order tens of thousands of electric vehicles. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt said the large order will, “accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.”
GE is a global powerhouse and diversified technology, media and financial services company. They are already in power generation including solar and wind energy. From Fairfield, CT GE announced

The Austonian Gets Four-Star Rating From Austin Energy Green Building

The Austonian, Austin’s newest and tallest luxury residential high-rise in the heart of downtown, has been awarded a coveted Four-Star rating from Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB).

The Austonian is the newest and most modern example of a sustainable and environmentally-smart high-rise community in the United States.
The Austonian’s Four Star rating from Austin Energy is the equivalent to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold rating.
“This accomplishment is the result of support from