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

Solar Energy Innovations In San Francisco

Posted on June 29, 2012 by QuestPoint

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s new environmentally sustainable headquarters building at 525 Golden Gate Avenue, designed in joint venture by KMD Architects and Stevens Architects, provides a poster-child of sustainability innovation for urban office buildings, and reflects the mission of the PUC as a provider and manager of water and energy for San Francisco. All told, 525 Golden Gate in comparison to similarly-sized office buildings features 50% less of a carbon footprint, uses 32% less energy, and consumes 60% less water.The 13-level, 277,511 gross-square-foot, $190 million SFPUC headquarters building is one of the greenest urban office buildings of its kind, bringing together in a modern, contextually-designed office tower some of the most innovative new technologies at the forefront of building design.

“What better organization than a major municipal power and water agency to create one of the most advanced buildings in green design in the U.S.,” said David Hobstetter, Principal of KMD.“Our intent from the beginning was to create the most energy-efficient office building developed in an urban setting in the United States to date,” said Ryan Stevens, KMD’s Director of Design. “Many of these features are uncommon in buildings today, but will be commonplace in years to come.”

A wind turbine tower on the north facade, solar panels on sunny exteriors, sun-shading and other techniques combine to make the building one of the most power-efficient anywhere, using 32% less energy than similarly-sized office buildings. The integrated, hybrid solar array and wind turbine installation can generate up to 227,000 kilowatt hours per year or 7% of the building’s energy needs. A state-of-the-art raised flooring system incorporates the building’s data and ventilation infrastructure and reduces heating, cooling and ventilation energy costs by 51%. Daylight harvesting that bounces sunlight at appropriate amounts into workspaces saves electricity and minimizes artificial lighting, and enhances worker productivity. Other techniques include automatic shut-off sensors after hours for lighting and work station equipment.

Alternative Energy For Puerto Rico ?

Luminalt Solar A San Francisco Workforce Partner

Posted on June 27, 2012 by QuestPoint

Luminalt Energy Corporation‘s CEO Jeanine Cotter is featured in the July issue of Money magazine. The article describes Cotter’s transition from corporate lawyer at Silicon Valley-based Intuit to starting her own solar installation company in 2004. Cotter says, “Just looking at the rising cost of energy and the concern over global warming, I saw an opportunity.” Money photographed Cotter at the Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center for the article. Non-profit Tel-Hi has been providing services to youth, seniors and families in San Francisco since 1890. Tel-Hi received a free SunPower solar system in 2011 through Luminalt’s collaboration with non-profit One Atmosphere, Ecomedia, SunPower Corporation, and musical band CAKE.

Cotter has made community involvement central to Luminalt’s business model. Luminalt is San Francisco’s only certified woman-owned solar company and hires from local workforce development programs. Luminalt was the first San Francisco solar company to become workforce development certified through GoSolarSF. The innovative solar incentive program has supported over 1,700 solar installations and created targeted full-time jobs for underserved individuals through its local hiring mandate.

CNN Money interviewed Cotter as a tie-in to the article in Money. The web video shows Cotter in the warehouse and views of Luminalt, an Elite SunPower Dealer, installing SunPower solar panels on a home rebuilt after the 2010 PG&E gas line explosion in San Bruno. Luminalt has installed more solar systems in San Francisco than any other company, with 414 systems since the program’s inception per California Solar Initiative data. In a highly fragmented market, Luminalt has installed at least 34% more systems than any competitors within San Francisco. Cotter is glad she made the career transition and started her own business. “I never envisioned myself as someone willing to take huge risks, but I’ve thrown myself into this and completely love it.”

Green News Wall

Panama And California Laying A Path For Sustainability

Posted on June 26, 2012 by QuestPoint

The 9th Annual Global California Panama Conference was held this past Friday in San Jose California. The all day information packed conference was presented by TradePort, United States Panama Business Council – West, GlobalCalifornia.com, Monterey Bay International Trade Association and the City of San Jose. Robert Krieger, President of Krieger Worldwide and a featured panelist described Panama as the next Hong Kong. The new Free Trade Agreement and the fact that the Panama Canal is set to double its capacity means a boast for Panama, California and the Americas. Panama is now the largest free trade zone in the Western hemisphere.

Keynote speaker Juan Sosa the Former Ambassador to Panama and current President of United States – Panama Business Council said “the Panama Canal is now operating at 95% capacity. Panama is experiencing double digit growth with only 1% of the population in Latin America. Now as a logistic hub we believe that ports on the west coast, the Gulf and the Atlantic will benefit by our new capacity if they too can upgrade their capacity.” Port of Oakland’s Ron Brown who also spoke welcomed Panama’s expansion as a sign of growth for California.

The heightened economic activity in Panama is not just about the canal. Panama City the nation’s capital dubbed “Panhatten” is a dynamic city. Real estate, banking, ecotourism and renewable energy are all poised for growth throughout the nation. Alvaro Cabal Lachman also a panelist and head of USPAW and CEO of Nearshore Development provided key insights on real estate in the country today and in the future. Participating panelists and sponsors shared valuable insight on doing business in the country. In attendance were representatives of Morgan Stanley, Citibank, FedEx, Panama Pacifo, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jose Branca, NICE Inc. and US Commercial Service. Daniel Robin a Senior Partner with In3 Finance Group who has worked on agricultural and renewable energy projects and ventures in Latin America suggested that PPA’s (Power Purchase Agreements) could provide an affordable solution to bringing solar energy to Panama. A trade mission to Panama will be held on July 25-27, 2012. By Richard Andrews