The Power of A Solar Salary

Posted on May 14, 2012 by quest

First Solar, Inc. recently announced that James Hughes has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Hughes succeeds Mike Ahearn, First Solar’s founder and Chairman, who has been serving as interim CEO since Oct. 2011. Hughes joined First Solar in March as Chief Commercial Officer. Ahearn will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board.“Jim has been instrumental in developing the strategic plan that will enable us to compete and win in this new era for the solar industry, and it became clear he is the right person to lead the execution of that plan”

Bloomberg BusinessWeek is reporting that Hughes will receive a $750,000 salary. He is being promoted from within the company.“Jim has been instrumental in developing the strategic plan that will enable us to compete and win in this new era for the solar industry, and it became clear he is the right person to lead the execution of that plan,” said Ahearn. “Jim brings a wide range of experience that will be invaluable in leading our organization, having owned and operated utilities, built power projects, cultivated partnerships and led profitable growth in a wide array of key markets around the world.”

“I am excited for this opportunity to lead First Solar into a new era for the industry,” said Hughes. “First Solar is unrivaled in terms of talent and experience and has the premier platform from which to implement solar power at a meaningful scale around the world. The rapid cost reductions in the industry position solar at the threshold of the mainstream energy markets, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on that opportunity.” First Solar, the world’s largest maker of thin-film solar panels recently closed it plant in Germany and laid off 2000 workers.

Yingli Solar To Power Rio’s Maracana Stadium

AAA On Driving Eco Friendly EV’s And Hybrids

Posted on May 13, 2012 by quest

Ok if Paula Patton Co star from the most recent Mission Impossible film was wiling to take a test drive with you in BMW’s new Concept Car even more EV’s would sell. But, are you hoping to decrease your carbon footprint and live a greener life? What and how you drive is a large part of your daily carbon footprint. Electric engines, several hybrid options and even traditional internal combustion engines have become more efficient and emit fewer greenhouse gasses. Even if you’re not in the market for a new car, AAA has tips to help you get the best efficiency and minimize greenhouse gasses no matter what you drive. “There has been an influx of ‘green’ technologies by automakers into the market, which is great for consumers seeking a more environmentally-conscious choice for their next vehicle purchase,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair.

2012 has been an exciting year for full-electric vehicles (EV). These vehicles do not use gasoline and rely solely on battery power. With the average cost for a kilowatt hour of electric energy at approximately 12 cents, to fully charge an EV with a 24KWh battery pack would cost around $2.88. That works out to between 3.0 cents and 4.4 cents per mile for fuel. Making EV’s even more appealing and green; there is no need for oil changes, ignition system maintenance, fuel system service or exhaust pipe and muffler replacements.

In addition to full electric cars there is also the option of Gasoline-Electric Hybrids, Compressed Natural Gas/Diesel Vehicles, and More Efficient Gasoline Vehicles. But fuel economy can be realized in plug-in hybrid powertrains. These vehicles use a rechargeable battery pack that allows the car to travel up to 35 miles before the onboard gasoline engine starts. In some cars, this engine will provide power to the drive wheels. In other models this engine powers a generator that delivers power to the motor driving the vehicle while also recharging the batteries. Unlike fully electric vehicles, a plug-in hybrid is limited only by the range of its gas tank. The Toyota Prius PHEV and 2013 Ford Fusion are great examples of plug-ins in the marketplace today.

Sexy Celebrity Environmentalists Making A Difference

Posted on May 12, 2012 by quest

Sure, celebrities are known for making a lot of green, but few have gained recognition for going green. In celebration of Earth Day 2012, Recently Rodale a source for news and ideas for healthy living on a healthy planet assembled an inaugural list of the “Top 50 Sexiest Environmentalists.” A definitive ranking of actors, adventurers, athletes and influencers, the list rounds up those that are using their star power to make meaningful contributions to environmental causes or dedicate significant time to supporting related nonprofits or organizations.

Of course there are list and then there are list Leo Dicaprio, Natalie Portman and Woody Harrelson have been on a green journey for some time now. And given the reality of what’s gong on with solar energy and the environment the list of celebrities more people greening up is likely to grow. On the list is heart throb Lenny Kravitz and Alexandra Cousteau: The granddaughter of the famous explorer Jacques Cousteau who founded Blue Legacy, a nonprofit that inspires people to take action on critical water problems.

From careers that depend on the conservation of the environment, like those of Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler and pro-surfer Rob Machado, to lifestyle changes inspired by having a family, like Jessica Alba and Alicia Silverstone’s adoption of healthier consumer practices. Today New York City born actress Rosario Dawson launched National Train day on behalf of Amtrak.

Lenny Kravitz & Ellen DeGeneres

Electric Vehicle World Visionary Award Goes To LA

Nicaraguan Travelers Enjoy Ecotourism Dazzling Views

Posted on May 11, 2012 by quest

Nicaragua, Central America’s hottest (and safest) tourist destination, has unveiled a website feature to make traveling to “the land of lakes and volcanoes” easier. Ready for volcano boarding?The new booking engine on VisitNicaragua.US enables tourists to make reservations for hotels, flights and tours in a simple, direct and easy-to-navigate way. Nicaragua offers visitors an authentic experience that puts them in touch with the country’s vast natural beauty and warmth of its people. Travelers can enjoy ecotourism, adventure tourism and simply relaxation against a backdrop of dazzling colonial architecture; spectacular volcanoes, lakes and rainforest; and pristine beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Central America’s largest country and the safest, Nicaragua beckons with a wide variety of travel options at affordable prices

Among the featured hotels that visitors to VisitNicaragua.US can book are Hotel Casa San Francisco in Granada, Nicaragua’s most popular tourist destination; Marina Puesta del Sol, a luxurious fishing resort on the northwest Pacific coast of Nicaragua; and Pelican Eyes Resort and Spa, in the lively beach town of San Juan del Sur. Visitors to VisitNicaragua.us also can choose from dozens of tours of Nicaragua, including the 4-day “Nicaragua’s Colonial Highlights” and the 10-day “Magic of Nicaragua”

The new booking engine on VisitNicaragua.us comes on the heels of the new Nicaragua Tourism Facebook page, which recently launched with a vacation giveaway contest. Until June 11, 2012, visitors to www.facebook.com/visitnicaragua can enter the Nicaragua Ultimate Adventure Sweepstakes to win an amazing trip to experience all the unspoiled nature, beauty, culture, adventure and fun that Nicaragua offers tourists.”We are delighted to offer the new booking engine on VisitNicaragua.US as well as the vacation sweepstakes on our new Facebook page,” said Mario Salinas, Nicaragua’s Minister of Tourism. “Both are examples of our commitment to expanding our tourism offerings and to welcoming more visitors from North America to our beautiful country.”

Electric Vehicles Harvesting Energy Report

Solar Powered Light Little Sun Launched

Posted on May 11, 2012 by quest

Little Sun, a small solar-powered light, was launched today at the World Economic Forum in Addis Ababa as part of the WEF’s focus on how art can contribute to changing the world.Leading artist Olafur Eliasson, working with engineer Frederik Ottesen, has been developing Little Sun – a work of art that works in life – over the last two years. Olafur Eliasson said: “Little Sun is a small work of art with a large reach. It brings the different strands of my work together in a new, meaningful context. One part of the artwork is the lamp itself and the activities enabled by its light; the other is the successful integration of Little Sun into off-grid communities – its journey from production to usage.”

Little Sun provides a practical, affordable, and safe source of artificial light to some of the 1.6 billion people worldwide who live without access to mains electricity. Little Sun makes light for living, learning, and earning. Little Sun creates business opportunities in off-grid regions that generate profits for everyone involved, in all stages of production, distribution, retail, and use.The light’s durable, versatile sun-like design utilises a 6 x 6 cm mono-crystalline solar module. When charged for four hours in the sunlight, Little Sun will yield five hours of bright LED illumination.

The Little Sun project will be presented at Tate Modern, London, this summer in a specially created display as part of the London 2012 Festival, the cultural programme that accompanies the London 2012 Olympic Games. Details will be announced shortly. A photo exhibition by leading Ethiopian artists about Little Sun solutions to energy poverty will be presented during the Forum: Tehras Berhe, Mihret Kebede, Desta Madere, Merklit Mersha, Michael Tsegaye, and Helen Zeru.

PlanetSolar Returns To Monaco Sails Into History

End Polluter Welfare Invest In Solar

Posted on May 10, 2012 by quest

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont along with Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota and others at his side said, “I am proud to be here today with Congressman Ellison, with my good friend and fellow Vermonter Bill McKibben, with Brent Blackwelder from Friends of the Earth and Ryan Alexander from Taxpayers for Common Sense.

We are here today not just to announce new legislation, but to send a message – and that message is that it is time to end the absurdity of taxpayers providing massive subsidies to hugely profitable fossil fuel corporations. In these difficult economic times, it is imperative that we support the taxpayers of this country and not the fossil fuel industry – one of the most powerful special interests in the world.”

Our federal government is set to give away over $110 billion in taxpayer dollars to the oil, gas, and coal industries over the next 10 years. That is totally absurd. When we have a $15.6 trillion national debt, we cannot afford it. When the five largest oil companies have made over $1 trillion in profits in the last decade, they don’t need it. When some of these same polluters have, in a given year, paid zero in federal income taxes and actually received IRS rebate checks worth millions, they don’t deserve it. When fossil fuels are the number one source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, creating a planetary crisis of global warming that is already causing devastating extreme weather disturbances, we can’t ignore it. As people throughout our country are demanding that we invest in energy efficiency and sustainable energy, and when Congress has instead allowed key sustainable energy incentives to expire even as Big Oil reaps billions in subsidies, it is time to change our national energy priorities. So today, Congressman Ellison and I are introducing the End Polluter Welfare Act in the House and the Senate. Continue reading